it is confusing that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is confusing that" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express confusion about a particular situation or statement. Example: "It is confusing that she said she would come, but then she never showed up." In this sentence, the phrase is used to express confusion about the speaker's expectations versus the reality of the situation. Other variations of this phrase include "I find it confusing that" or "many people find it confusing that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

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

Independent

It is far too long and very wordy, and it is confusing that education is split into two sections.

The Guardian

It is confusing that people have a picture of me smashing things up for the sake of it.

The Guardian - Books

In the circumstances it is confusing that the current squad should hope to take the prize that eluded their illustrious predecessors.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is confusing that this announcement comes in the same week that Sadiq Khan has removed a key hurdle in the expansion of City Airport which will only add to London's dirty air woes," said its campaigner, Sophie Neuburg.

The Guardian

8) It is confusing that there is one Methods section called "diversity and divergence" and another called "divergence and diversity".

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Given the emphasis that Jobs placed on watching video, and given that many new laptops have 16:9 screens, it's confusing that Apple went in a different direction.

The New Yorker

Rather, it's confusing that she ever did this for any length of time, since you can generally recognise an ex-model by a certain physical self-consciousness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"As students' unions are not public bodies, and therefore not subject to the (Counter-Terrorism and Security) Act, it's confusing that the government are so focused on our work.

Independent

So it's confusing that the BMA's proposal to support doctors starting a family, or undertaking research – the kind of life-saving research we see in action every day – without punitively affecting their pay has also been rejected.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's confusing that footage appropriated for their video for recent single "Round the Moon" actually comes from a soft-toned Swedish film from 1970 (A Swedish Love Story).

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is confusing that", ensure the subject of confusion is clearly defined. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what exactly is causing the confusion.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "it is confusing that" can sometimes sound informal. In academic or professional writing, consider alternatives like "it is unclear why" or "the rationale for this is not evident" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is confusing that" functions as an introductory clause expressing confusion or a lack of understanding regarding a particular situation or statement. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is confusing that" is a commonly used phrase to express a lack of understanding or bewilderment. While grammatically correct and versatile across various contexts, its level of formality might necessitate the use of more sophisticated alternatives in certain academic or professional settings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely recognized and understood. Remember to clearly define the subject of confusion to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is perplexing that

Replaces "confusing" with a more formal synonym, "perplexing", slightly altering the tone.

it is baffling that

Uses "baffling" to emphasize the incomprehensibility of the situation.

it is puzzling that

Employs "puzzling" to suggest something is like a riddle or mystery.

i find it confusing that

Shifts the perspective to a personal viewpoint, highlighting individual confusion.

it's hard to understand why

Uses a more descriptive phrase to express the difficulty in comprehending something.

it remains unclear why

Focuses on the lack of clarity surrounding a situation or decision.

the reason for this is unclear

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the unknown cause or justification.

one might wonder why

Expresses confusion in a more indirect, inquisitive manner.

it raises questions as to why

Highlights that the situation prompts further inquiry and uncertainty.

it doesn't make sense that

Emphasizes the irrational or illogical nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it is unclear why", "the rationale for this is not evident", or "the reasons for this remain obscure". These options offer a more sophisticated and less conversational style.

What is a more direct way to express the same idea as "it is confusing that"?

You can use phrases like "I don't understand why" or "I find this perplexing". These options are more straightforward and emphasize personal confusion or lack of understanding.

Is "it is confusing that" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "it is confusing that" may sound informal in academic writing. Alternatives like "it is unclear that" or "the rationale for this is not evident" are often preferred for a more professional tone.

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

"It is confusing that" is the formal version, while "it's confusing that" is a contraction and therefore more informal. Both are grammatically correct, but the formal version is better suited for academic or professional contexts.