it is somewhat perplexing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is somewhat perplexing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing confusion or uncertainty about a situation or statement. Example: "The results of the experiment were unexpected, and it is somewhat perplexing to understand why they occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is somewhat perplexing why so few tooth marks are found on other elements, however.

Plosone

It is somewhat perplexing how a RTB-specific neutralizing antibody achieves ricin neutralizing function, given that RTB has two galactose binding sites that work independently and are separated by distance [ 39].

BioMed Research International

"It is somewhat perplexing to say the least to see that the guilty party can get away virtually scot free for having derived 'an unfair sporting advantage'.

The Guardian - Sport

At first sight, it is somewhat perplexing how to formalize this notion of nonmonotonic inference, since it seems to require a circular definition of provability that can't be replaced with an inductive definition, as in the nonmonotonic case.

SEP

"It is somewhat perplexing to say the least to see that the guilty party can get away virtually scot free for having derived 'an unfair sporting advantage'," the Italian team said in their Horse Whisperer column. .

BBC

In fact, it is somewhat perplexing that we as scientists are resistant to such change.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I very much appreciated Emily Cooke's review of Susan Choi's new novel, "My Education" (July 21), but I was somewhat perplexed by Cooke's assertion that "if a number of the great novels of the past century have been stories of gay love, no really adequate literature of bisexuality exists".

The New York Times - Books

To the Editor: Your claim of shock at the lack of use of sophisticated information technology in the health care system is somewhat perplexing.

The New York Times

3) The lack of tonic NMDAR current in recordings from 2BdeltaCtx slices is somewhat perplexing.

eLife

Paralogs of the p44/msp2 family of outer membrane proteins form a characteristic hybridization pattern that is somewhat perplexing.

BMC Genomics

The finding that case-patients classified as unlikely to have LD were more likely to have had occupational exposures than the corresponding controls is somewhat perplexing.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is somewhat perplexing" to express a mild sense of confusion or uncertainty about a situation, avoiding stronger terms like 'baffling' when a gentle expression is preferred. This adds a layer of subtlety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it is somewhat perplexing" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your expressions by using synonyms like "it is rather confusing" or "it is a bit puzzling".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is somewhat perplexing" functions as a commentary on a situation or observation, expressing a mild level of confusion or puzzlement. Ludwig examples show it in various contexts ranging from scientific findings to general observations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is somewhat perplexing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing mild confusion or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It appears frequently in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts. To enhance your writing, avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "it is rather confusing" or "it is a bit puzzling" for variety. Remember, the phrase serves to introduce a sense of puzzlement without overwhelming the reader with strong bewilderment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is slightly confusing

Uses "confusing" instead of "perplexing", presenting a more common and direct expression of uncertainty.

it is a little confusing

Uses "confusing" instead of "perplexing" and "a little" instead of "somewhat", presenting a more common and direct expression of uncertainty.

it is rather confusing

Changes the intensity of "perplexing" to "confusing", suggesting a slightly less severe bewilderment.

it is a bit puzzling

Replaces "somewhat perplexing" with "a bit puzzling", offering a more informal and understated sense of confusion.

it is quite baffling

Substitutes "perplexing" with "baffling", implying a stronger sense of being bewildered or stumped.

it is somewhat mysterious

Replaces "perplexing" with "mysterious", suggesting that the situation is not only confusing but also has an element of intrigue.

it is slightly unclear

Shifts the focus to a lack of clarity rather than confusion, implying that the situation is not fully understood.

it is moderately bewildering

Replaces "perplexing" with "bewildering", indicating a higher degree of confusion and disorientation.

it is rather enigmatic

Substitutes "perplexing" with "enigmatic", suggesting the situation is puzzling and difficult to interpret.

it is somewhat obscure

Focuses on the lack of clarity and accessibility of the information, rather than the confusion it causes.

FAQs

What does "it is somewhat perplexing" mean?

The phrase "it is somewhat perplexing" suggests that something is mildly confusing or puzzling. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or a lack of clear understanding, without expressing strong bewilderment.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is somewhat perplexing"?

Use "it is somewhat perplexing" when you want to express that something is not entirely clear or understandable, but without indicating extreme confusion. It's suitable for situations where there's a moderate level of uncertainty.

What can I say instead of "it is somewhat perplexing"?

You can use alternatives like "it is rather confusing", "it is a bit puzzling", or "it is slightly unclear" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it is somewhat perplexing" formal or informal?

"It is somewhat perplexing" has a neutral to slightly formal tone. While it can be used in academic or professional contexts, it's also appropriate for general writing where a mild expression of confusion is needed.