it is confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

"It is confusing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is difficult to understand or that you are having trouble making sense of it. For example, "Trying to figure out this math problem is so confusing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But it is confusing.

The New Yorker

It is confusing.

Harvard University

"I know it is confusing.

The New York Times

For the public, it is confusing.

The Guardian

For obvious reasons, however, it is confusing to apply this word to Classical literature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is confusing that anyone might be hesitant to class it as such.

Independent

But it is confusing: the conservatives' fury comes in two flavours, and neither makes much sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If you are out there, and the ball comes toward you, it is confusing".

The New York Times

"Clearly, it is confusing for the Afghans who we work with – it unsettles them.

The Guardian

The emergency medical system is almost as vast as it is confusing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When the feelings don't seem to go together, an unmatched pair, it is confusing and hard to process.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is confusing", ensure the context provides enough information about what is confusing. Be specific to avoid further confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "it is confusing" without a clear antecedent for "it". Make sure the subject causing confusion is easily identifiable to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is confusing" functions as a subjective commentary, expressing that a particular subject is difficult to understand or lacks clarity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common way to articulate a sense of mental uncertainty or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is confusing" is a common phrase used to express a lack of understanding or clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news articles to scientific papers. While versatile, ensure you provide enough context about what is confusing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources. For alternative expressions, consider "it is perplexing" or "it is unclear" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's hard to understand

Replaces "confusing" with a simpler term for difficulty.

it's difficult to grasp

Uses "grasp" to convey the challenge of understanding something.

it's not easy to comprehend

Emphasizes the lack of ease in understanding.

it's perplexing

Replaces "confusing" with a more formal synonym.

it's baffling

Suggests a sense of bewilderment or being stumped.

it's unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity, rather than the difficulty in understanding.

it lacks clarity

Emphasizes the absence of clearness in the subject.

it's ambiguous

Highlights the multiple possible interpretations.

it's like a puzzle

Compares the confusing thing to a puzzle that needs solving.

it doesn't make sense

Indicates a complete lack of logical coherence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is confusing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it is perplexing", "it is unclear", or "it lacks clarity".

What are some common synonyms for "confusing"?

Common synonyms include "perplexing", "baffling", "bewildering", "unclear", and "ambiguous". Choose the synonym that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "it is confusing" in a sentence?

You can use "it is confusing" to describe anything that's difficult to understand. For example, "The instructions were poorly written, so "it is confusing" to assemble the product".

When is it better to use "I am confused" instead of "it is confusing"?

Use "I am confused" when you want to emphasize your personal state of confusion. Use "it is confusing" when you want to describe something as inherently difficult to understand, regardless of the reader's personal understanding.