it was very confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very confusing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, event, or information that was difficult to understand or unclear. Example: "After reading the report, I realized that it was very confusing and needed further clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He did admit it wasn't always easy and sometimes it was very confusing.

Forbes

When I went to my grandpa's house, where everything was Asian inside but the outside world was very American, it was very confusing.

Huffington Post

It was very confusing.

The New York Times

It was very confusing for me, it was so confusing.

Huffington Post

And, she added, "it was very confusing".

The New York Times

"It was very confusing," says Pittam.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

ZWIGOFF -- It was very confused because I was born in a small town in Wisconsin.

The New York Times

It was very confused and vulnerable music, and it was great". Big Star also had the misfortune of depending on the venerated Stax label to distribute its recordings.

Los Angeles Times

It's very confusing.

Stanford University

But it's very confusing.

The Guardian

"I think that it's very confusing.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "very confusing" with a more specific adjective, such as "ambiguous", "unclear", or "perplexing", to provide a more nuanced description of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very confusing" as a standalone statement without further explanation. Readers need to understand the reason behind the confusion. Provide specific details about what made the situation, information, or process difficult to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very confusing" functions as a statement expressing a subjective experience of bewilderment or lack of understanding. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very confusing" is a commonly used phrase to express a personal experience of bewilderment or lack of understanding. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct and versatile across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. Ludwig AI supports its usage as an effective and clear way to communicate a subjective experience of confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite perplexing

Uses 'perplexing' instead of 'confusing', indicating a state of bewilderment that is slightly more formal.

it was really unclear

Replaces 'confusing' with 'unclear', emphasizing the lack of clarity or intelligibility.

it was terribly confusing

Adds 'terribly' to intensify the feeling of confusion, suggesting a stronger sense of bewilderment.

it was extremely disorienting

Shifts the focus to the disorienting effect of the confusion, implying a loss of bearings or understanding.

it was incredibly ambiguous

Highlights the ambiguity of the situation, where multiple interpretations are possible, leading to confusion.

it was utterly baffling

Emphasizes the incomprehensibility of the situation, suggesting it's completely beyond understanding.

it was deeply bewildering

Indicates a profound sense of confusion that is difficult to resolve.

it was remarkably puzzling

Stresses how unusually or strikingly confusing something was.

it presented a challenge to understand

Expresses confusion by framing the situation as a difficult challenge to comprehend.

i found it hard to fathom

Emphasizes personal inability to understand, using a more formal register.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was very confusing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was quite perplexing", "it was really unclear", or "it was terribly confusing" depending on the context.

How can I make my writing clearer when describing something confusing?

Instead of simply stating "it was very confusing", provide specific details about what elements were unclear or difficult to understand. For example, "The instructions were very confusing because they lacked diagrams and used technical jargon".

What does "ambiguous" mean, and how is it different from "confusing"?

"Ambiguous" means having multiple possible meanings or interpretations. While something ambiguous can be confusing, "confusing" is a broader term that encompasses anything difficult to understand, regardless of whether it has multiple meanings. You could replace "it was very confusing" with "it was incredibly ambiguous".

Is it acceptable to use "it was very confusing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was very confusing" may sound informal in some contexts. Consider using a more precise and sophisticated alternative, such as "the situation presented significant challenges to comprehension" or "I found it hard to fathom", especially in academic or professional writing.