it's really confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's really confusing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is difficult to understand or unclear. Example: "After reading the instructions, I found that it's really confusing to know what steps to take next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's really confusing to me.

The Guardian

"No, it's really confusing this year," she said.

The New York Times

"It's really confusing to me, so I study it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Twitter is so close to TWiT that I'm afraid it's really confusing.

The Guardian

You add that into the mix and it's really confusing.

Los Angeles Times

I'm a straight girl, so it's really confusing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is really confusing".

The New York Times

More like Coldpause the show!" "I had a couple of years in the mid-2000s where it was really confusing to me," he told Rolling Stone.

The Guardian - Music

For one 18-year-old boy completing a college application, Professor Turkle said, "Facebook wasn't merely a distraction, but it was really confusing him about who he was," and he opted to spend his senior year off the service.

The New York Times - Tech

The Verge: "It is really confusing to have both the Digital Crown and the communications button on the side.

BBC

It was really confusing to me, initially.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing confusion, ensure the context is clear. Specify what is causing the confusion to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "confusing" without explaining why. Provide specific details about what makes it difficult to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's really confusing" functions as an expression of subjective assessment, indicating the speaker's difficulty in understanding something. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is common in everyday language and media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's really confusing" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for expressing a lack of understanding. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread usage across various sources, particularly in news and media. While versatile, providing context is key to clarity. Alternatives such as "it's utterly perplexing" or "it's genuinely baffling" can offer nuanced ways to convey confusion. This phrase functions primarily to communicate bewilderment and invite clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's truly bewildering

Indicates a state of being completely disoriented and uncertain.

it's utterly perplexing

Emphasizes the extreme nature of the confusion, suggesting something is deeply puzzling.

it's genuinely baffling

Highlights the incomprehensibility of the subject, indicating it defies easy explanation.

it's downright perplexing

Highlights that something is unambiguously confusing.

it's incredibly unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity, suggesting the information is not presented in an understandable way.

it's completely mystifying

Suggests something is mysterious and impossible to understand.

it's exceptionally muddled

Implies that something is mixed up and disorganized, leading to confusion.

it's actually disorienting

Highlights the state of mental confusion that can be caused by something that is not easy to comprehend.

it's frankly incomprehensible

Emphasizes that something is not capable of being understood.

it's pretty ambiguous

Emphasizes that something has multiple meanings and is open to interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "it's really confusing" in a sentence?

You can use "it's really confusing" to express difficulty in understanding something. For example: "After reading the instructions, "it's really confusing" to know what steps to take next."

What can I say instead of "it's really confusing"?

You can use alternatives like "it's utterly perplexing", "it's genuinely baffling", or "it's truly bewildering" depending on the context.

Is "it's really confusing" a formal or informal expression?

"It's really confusing" is generally considered to be an informal expression. More formal alternatives might include "it is quite perplexing" or "it is very unclear".

When is it appropriate to use "it's really confusing"?

It's appropriate to use "it's really confusing" when you want to express that something is difficult to understand in a straightforward manner. It works well in casual conversation, informal writing, or when communicating with someone who can simplify the explanation.