is a bit perplexing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a bit perplexing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is somewhat confusing or difficult to understand. Example: "The explanation provided by the professor is a bit perplexing, leaving many students unsure of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The trackpad sits behind the keyboard, which is a bit perplexing until you realize that Acer doesn't really want you to use the trackpad at all.

TechCrunch

"It is a bit perplexing to have regional laws that go against federal legislation," said Davide Bordoni, municipal counselor for commerce in Rome, one of the first cities to adhere to the new law.

The New York Times

It is a bit perplexing that McDonald's hasn't been able to leverage its acumen managing complicated logistics and producing good food at reasonable prices to create other vibrant food brands.

Forbes

The case for the clustering-optimized subset is a bit perplexing as the accuracy of the control and the RDX classes changed in opposite directions after adding the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th genes (Fig. 5b).

Plosone

The reason for this disconnect is a bit perplexing as teen and parent reports of teen physical QOL were consistent as was their report of family functioning.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Fox's John Madden is a bit perplexed by the need for Miller at ABC. "If he's going to be an analyst, that's fine," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Oddly enough, one of the more family-oriented resorts along the shore, Ocean City -- which does not even allow the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages -- is a bit perplexed by Wildwood's newfound primness.

The New York Times

There were a few casting choices that were a bit perplexing.

Huffington Post

When I first began reading David Crystal's "How Language Works," I was a bit perplexed.

The New York Times

But the Kims were a bit perplexed by what passed for luxury in Manhattan.

The New York Times

"I was a bit perplexed by the new demographic, to be honest".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a bit perplexing" when you want to express mild confusion or uncertainty about something, without sounding overly critical or negative. It's suitable for situations where something is not entirely clear but not severely problematic.

Common error

Avoid overusing "is a bit perplexing" in formal writing or professional settings. In such cases, opt for more precise and direct language to express confusion or uncertainty, such as "requires further clarification" or "presents a challenge for understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a bit perplexing" functions as a subject complement, describing a subject as being somewhat confusing or difficult to understand. Ludwig confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is a bit perplexing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express mild confusion or uncertainty. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase functions as a subject complement and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, synonyms such as "requires further clarification" may be more appropriate. Understanding the subtle nuances in intensity between "is a bit perplexing" and stronger alternatives like "is very confusing" helps ensure effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat puzzling

Replaces "perplexing" with "puzzling" to soften the intensity of confusion.

is slightly confusing

Substitutes "perplexing" with "confusing" and "a bit" with "slightly" to convey a milder degree of bewilderment.

is faintly puzzling

Replaces "a bit" with "faintly" and "perplexing" with "puzzling" to diminish the level of confusion.

is a little baffling

Employs "baffling" instead of "perplexing", suggesting a sense of being stumped or bewildered.

is a tad confusing

Uses "tad" instead of "bit" and "confusing" for "perplexing", making it sound less formal.

is moderately confusing

Substitutes "a bit" with "moderately" and "perplexing" with "confusing" to indicate a moderate level of confusion.

is a touch bewildering

Employs "bewildering" to replace "perplexing", which indicates a state of confusion.

is rather mysterious

Replaces "perplexing" with "mysterious", implying a sense of intrigue or unexplained nature.

is somewhat enigmatic

Uses "enigmatic" in place of "perplexing", suggesting a quality of being difficult to interpret or understand.

is not entirely clear

Indicates a lack of complete understanding or clarity, which is a more indirect way of expressing perplexity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is a bit perplexing" in an email?

In an email, you can replace "is a bit perplexing" with phrases like "is slightly confusing", "is somewhat puzzling", or "requires further clarification" depending on the level of formality.

What's the difference between "is a bit perplexing" and "is very confusing"?

"Is a bit perplexing" indicates a mild level of confusion or uncertainty, while "is very confusing" suggests a significant lack of understanding. The former is less intense and suitable when something isn't entirely clear, while the latter is used when something is genuinely difficult to comprehend.

When is it appropriate to use "is a bit perplexing" in academic writing?

While "is a bit perplexing" can be used in academic writing, it is better to be more direct. You could instead say, "requires further study", "warrants additional investigation", or "presents an anomaly".

What are some synonyms for "perplexing"?

Synonyms for "perplexing" include "puzzling", "confusing", "baffling", "mystifying", and "bewildering". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For instance, "baffling" implies a stronger sense of being stumped than "puzzling".