material is confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material is confusing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where the material being discussed is difficult to understand or unclear. Example: "After reviewing the textbook, I found that the material is confusing, making it hard to grasp the key concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Though a section on agribusiness and control of the world's food and water supplies is clearly laid out and undeniably troubling, the bulk of the material is confusing at best and laughable at worst.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Education and training materials were confusing.

The New York Times

Perception of material objects is "confused" because — according to the Cartesian tradition — corporeal substance has no colours or other sensory properties — which come into being through the interaction of the mind and tiny, single imperceptible, uncoloured corpuscles of matter.

SEP

The interviewer "probes" by asking what is confusing, or unclear, or asking for comments on specific elements in the material.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Which is confusing.

The New York Times - Food

Now that is confusing".

BMC Health Services Research

This wording is confusing.

Biology Direct

3) The following is confusing.

eLife

So this argument is confusing.

Biology Direct

5) Figure 3 is confusing.

eLife

Providing just units is confusing.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing complex or abstract concepts to enhance clarity and ensure better comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "material is confusing" without providing context or specifics. Instead of stating the material is confusing, identify the specific parts that are unclear or difficult to understand to provide constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material is confusing" functions as a descriptive statement. It predicates a quality (confusing) of a subject (material). Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts, from academic content to news reports, affirming its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "material is confusing" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that information is difficult to understand. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears across varied sources, including news, science, and general web content. While universally applicable, providing specific context enhances its utility. The AI analysis confirms its correctness, suggesting that the issue lies with overgeneralization rather than grammatical errors. For alternative expressions, consider ""content is unclear"" or ""information is perplexing"". Overall, "material is confusing" is a clear and acceptable means of conveying a lack of comprehension, but being precise about why the material is confusing is key for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the content is unclear

Replaces "material" with "content" and uses "unclear" instead of "confusing", emphasizing a lack of clarity.

the information is perplexing

Substitutes "material" with "information" and uses "perplexing" to highlight the bewildering nature of the information.

this is difficult to understand

Rephrases the idea to focus on the difficulty of understanding the subject.

the subject matter is obscure

Replaces "confusing" with "obscure", indicating a lack of transparency or clarity in the subject matter.

the explanation is muddled

Focuses on the quality of the explanation, suggesting it's poorly presented and hard to follow.

this is hard to follow

Highlights the difficulty in tracking or comprehending the material.

the data is convoluted

Emphasizes that data is complex and difficult to analyze because it's intricate or involved.

the concept is abstruse

Indicates that the concept is difficult to grasp due to its abstract or complex nature.

the reasoning is opaque

Suggests that the reasoning behind something is not easily understood or transparent.

the details are perplexing

Highlights that precise element are hard to be decoded or understood.

FAQs

What does "material is confusing" mean?

The phrase "material is confusing" means that the content or information presented is difficult to understand or unclear. It suggests a lack of coherence or organization that hinders comprehension.

How can I use "material is confusing" in a sentence?

You can use "material is confusing" to describe documents, presentations, or any form of content that is difficult to understand. For example: "After reviewing the textbook, I found that the "material is confusing", making it hard to grasp the key concepts."

What can I say instead of "material is confusing"?

You can use alternatives like "the "content is unclear"", "the "information is perplexing"", or "this is "difficult to understand"" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "the material is confusing" or "I am confused by the material"?

Both phrases are valid, but they place the emphasis differently. "The material is confusing" focuses on the quality of the material itself, while "I am confused by the material" emphasizes your personal understanding. Choose the phrase that best reflects your intended meaning.