it is pretty confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is pretty 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 realized that it is pretty confusing to follow the steps outlined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I have to admit, it is pretty confusing.

The Guardian

However, at times it is pretty confusing, so do be prepared for that.

The Guardian

There are two ways to say numbers in Korean, and it is pretty confusing sometimes--knowing when to use Korean and when to use Sino-Korean.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Well, at first it was pretty confusing.

The Guardian

But where we've got different details, it's pretty confusing.

European Journal of Public Health

The problems lie in three main areas: there's way too much plot squeezed into a running time a lot shorter than the miraculously realised LA Confidential and trying to follow it all is pretty confusing - David Fincher planned a three-hour version in noirish mono.

The Guardian - Film

On the subject of the US election primaries, her response is diplomatic: "I'm pretty confused about it.

The Guardian - Music

It's nice the Nebul.us has two very different use cases, but I'm concerned it may prove difficult to explain them both to new users who stumble across the site (frankly I was pretty confused at first).

TechCrunch

It's not actually the tenth game in the series, though, which is pretty confusing.

Vice

Also, people don't like to be confused, and the fact that I'm pretty, a lesbian, and on top of that transsexual, is pretty confusing to your average stag party on a Saturday night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And truthfully, Newton rambles a lot and is pretty confusing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is pretty confusing", ensure the context clearly identifies what 'it' refers to, to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The new tax law is pretty confusing, especially the section on deductions."

Common error

While "pretty" can add emphasis, overuse can weaken your writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "very confusing" or "extremely complex" for greater impact. Don't substitute the "pretty" adjective when it doesn't work well.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is pretty confusing" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe a subject as being difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is pretty confusing" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of understanding, mostly used in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While generally acceptable, it may be more appropriate for informal settings and could benefit from stronger alternatives in more formal contexts. Ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what "it" refers to and avoiding overuse of "pretty" for better impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's rather perplexing

Replaces "pretty confusing" with "rather perplexing", suggesting a more sophisticated vocabulary but maintains the same degree of confusion.

it's quite bewildering

Substitutes "pretty confusing" with "quite bewildering", implying a slightly stronger sense of confusion or disorientation.

it's somewhat unclear

Uses a more formal and understated tone to express a lack of clarity.

it's not entirely clear

Emphasizes the lack of complete understanding rather than the degree of confusion.

it's all a bit muddled

Replaces the formal structure with a more informal expression indicating a lack of clarity.

it's a bit of a puzzle

Presents the situation as a riddle or enigma, rather than a simple misunderstanding.

it's hard to make sense of

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding rather than the state of being confused.

it's not easy to follow

Highlights the complexity and difficulty in comprehending the subject matter.

it leaves me puzzled

Shifts the focus to the personal feeling of being puzzled rather than an objective assessment of the situation.

i'm finding it baffling

Expresses the confusion more personally and intensely using the word "baffling".

FAQs

What does "it is pretty confusing" mean?

The phrase "it is pretty confusing" expresses that something is difficult to understand or lacks clarity. It suggests a moderate level of bewilderment.

What can I say instead of "it is pretty confusing"?

You can use alternatives like "it's rather perplexing", "it's quite bewildering", or "it's somewhat unclear" depending on the context.

Is "it is pretty confusing" too informal for academic writing?

While usable, "it is pretty confusing" leans towards informal. For academic contexts, consider more formal alternatives such as "it is somewhat unclear" or "it presents certain ambiguities".

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

Use "it is pretty confusing" when you want to convey that something is not easily understood. For example: "After reading the instructions, I realized that "it is pretty confusing" to follow the steps outlined."