it perplexed me that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it perplexed me that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing confusion or bewilderment about a particular situation or statement. Example: "It perplexed me that she chose to leave the party so early, especially when everyone was having such a good time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It perplexed me that young people, brought up in secular Britain, would turn to a form of belief that denied them the pleasures of the society in which they lived," Kureishi wrote in "The Word and the Bomb," his excellent 2005 essay collection, which unfortunately has never appeared in the United States.

The New York Times - Magazine

It perplexed me that anyone could argue to the contrary.

Huffington Post

Further, it perplexed me that people who were not Indian decided that I essentially needed to be whitewashed and dismiss the very things that God bestowed upon me Himself.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's always perplexed me that the man who did so much to shape contemporary comedy – John Cleese, Maureen Lipman, Terry Gilliam, Barry Humphries, Joanna Lumley, Michael Palin and Denis Norden are all patrons of a memorial fund – has never had a plaque or some other lasting tribute to celebrate the joy he brought this nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The question that has always perplexed me is: why?

Independent

The analogies perplexed me until I realized that the words went in the same direction.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's the harness that's perplexing me.

The Guardian

"That perplexes me," he said.

The New York Times

There are lots of things that baffle and perplex me, so it's not fair to pick on ex-Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins as being specially baffling and perplexing.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a physician, technology geek and mother, I find it perplexing that one area of healthcare that has not yet been penetrated by electronic devices is hand hygiene.

Huffington Post

I live in Trentino, and I find it perplexing that some city folk should tell me how to live in my mountains.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it perplexed me that" to express personal bewilderment or confusion about a situation, decision, or statement. This phrase adds a touch of formality and emphasizes your personal experience of being puzzled.

Common error

Avoid using "perplex" with inanimate subjects unless you intend to personify them. For example, it is correct to say "It perplexed me that..." when you are personally confused, but less appropriate to say "The results perplexed the study" unless you are implying the study itself was confused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it perplexed me that" functions as an introductory clause expressing personal bewilderment or confusion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is grammatically correct and acceptable. It sets the stage for explaining the reason behind the speaker's perplexity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Huffington Post

17%

The New York Times

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it perplexed me that" is a grammatically sound and acceptable phrase used to introduce a statement expressing personal bewilderment or confusion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates its occurrence in reputable news and media outlets. While not extremely common, this phrase offers a slightly more formal way to convey puzzlement. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine whether a simpler alternative like "it confused me that" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it puzzled me that

Replaces "perplexed" with "puzzled", implying a slightly milder form of confusion.

it confused me that

Substitutes "perplexed" with "confused", indicating a state of disorientation or lack of understanding.

it baffled me that

Replaces "perplexed" with "baffled", which carries a similar meaning of being bewildered or confused.

i was bewildered that

Uses "bewildered" and changes the sentence structure, suggesting a stronger sense of being lost or disoriented.

i found it baffling that

Replaces "perplexed me" with "found it baffling", implying something is incomprehensible or hard to understand.

i was mystified that

Uses "mystified", suggesting something is inexplicable or puzzling.

it stumped me that

Uses "stumped" implying a problem or question that is difficult to answer or solve.

i couldn't understand why

Changes the sentence structure to focus on a lack of understanding of the reason behind something.

it was beyond my comprehension why

Emphasizes the inability to understand something due to its complexity or difficulty.

i was at a loss to explain why

Indicates a state of not knowing how to explain or understand something.

FAQs

What does "it perplexed me that" mean?

The phrase "it perplexed me that" means that something caused you to feel confused, puzzled, or bewildered. It expresses a sense of being unable to understand or make sense of something.

What can I say instead of "it perplexed me that"?

You can use alternatives like "it puzzled me that", "it confused me that", or "i was bewildered that" to express a similar meaning.

Is "it perplexed me that" formal or informal?

"It perplexed me that" is somewhat formal. While grammatically sound and appropriate, it can be replaced with simpler phrasing depending on the audience and context.

How to use "it perplexed me that" in a sentence?

You can use "it perplexed me that" to introduce a statement about something you found confusing. For example, "It perplexed me that she didn't seem to know what a complex number was".