it is baffling

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is baffling" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you find something difficult to understand or comprehend. For example, "The way this technology works is baffling to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is baffling.

The Guardian - Arts

It is baffling, thrilling, eccentric, intriguing, thoughtful, mischievous and seductive.

The New York Times - Arts

That makes the calm that reigns in Brussels more than complacent: it is baffling.

The Economist

Memory is as central to life as it is baffling to our reason.

The Economist

For the French left, it is baffling and reinforces a sense of uncertainty and malaise.

The Economist

When you're working in the field, seeing the rhino carcasses, it is baffling.

Independent

"It is baffling that the government has still not applied for EU solidarity funding," she said.

The Guardian

The Robertson recipe includes a preliminary step so self-evident that it is baffling that it hasn't always been done.

The New Yorker

Even at his best, though, it is baffling to know what it is about his books that earns him zillions.

The Economist

"It is baffling how a nation of twenty-three million people can appear as vacant as the oceans.

The New Yorker

It is baffling that so many people who pontificate on this issue don't understand how school funding works.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is baffling" to express a strong sense of confusion or disbelief, especially when logic or expectations are defied. This phrase is effective for highlighting something that is not only difficult to understand but also surprisingly so.

Common error

While "it is baffling" is acceptable in many contexts, be mindful of its potential to sound informal or subjective in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "it is unclear" or "it remains unexplained" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is baffling" functions as an evaluative statement expressing confusion or incredulity. It typically introduces a clause explaining the source of bewilderment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is baffling" is a versatile phrase used to express confusion and incredulity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an evaluative statement that introduces a reason for bewilderment. While grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in "News & Media", it's important to consider the tone and context, opting for more formal alternatives in academic settings if needed. The high frequency of examples demonstrates its common usage, and related phrases such as "it is perplexing" and "it is puzzling" offer nuanced alternatives to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is perplexing

Replaces "baffling" with "perplexing", indicating confusion, but with a slightly more intellectual tone.

it is puzzling

Substitutes "baffling" with "puzzling", suggesting that something is like a riddle or a problem to be solved.

it is incomprehensible

Replaces "baffling" with "incomprehensible", emphasizing the impossibility of understanding something.

it is beyond understanding

Emphasizes the lack of comprehension, suggesting that something is too complex or strange to grasp.

it is mystifying

Substitutes "baffling" with "mystifying", implying that something is shrouded in mystery and difficult to explain.

it is bewildering

Replaces "baffling" with "bewildering", highlighting the state of being confused and disoriented.

it is unfathomable

Substitutes "baffling" with "unfathomable", suggesting that something is too deep or complex to be fully explored or understood.

it is difficult to comprehend

Expresses the difficulty in understanding something in a more explicit manner.

it defies explanation

Highlights that something is so unusual or paradoxical that it cannot be logically explained.

it eludes comprehension

Emphasizes that understanding something is slipping away or proving unattainable.

FAQs

How can I use "it is baffling" in a sentence?

Use "it is baffling" to express confusion or incredulity about something difficult to understand. For example, "It is baffling that they chose that option considering the alternatives".

What can I say instead of "it is baffling"?

You can use alternatives like "it is perplexing", "it is puzzling", or "it is incomprehensible" depending on the context.

Is "it is baffling" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "it is baffling" might be considered slightly informal for very formal academic contexts. Consider alternatives such as "it remains unclear" or "it defies explanation" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "it is baffling" and "it is confusing"?

"It is baffling" implies a stronger sense of disbelief or surprise along with the confusion, suggesting that something defies logical explanation. "It is confusing" simply indicates a lack of understanding without necessarily implying surprise.