may be perplexed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be perplexed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone might feel confused or puzzled about a situation or information. Example: "After hearing the complex explanation, many attendees may be perplexed about the topic discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Long Islanders may be perplexed to learn that they don't live on an island.

The New York Times

You may be perplexed at the haphazard way dishes are brought out one at a time from the kitchen.

The New York Times - Arts

At Palma airport, sharp-eyed visitors may be perplexed by the mysterious hexagonal boxes many people are carrying.

The Guardian - Travel

Besides, children may be perplexed by Adèle's macabre motivation, which has something to do with her sister having a hat-pin jammed in her skull.

Independent

People who have not confronted a life-challenging illness may be perplexed by the residual anxiety in patients, long after they have successfully completed treatment.

The New York Times

In the French case, onlookers may be perplexed by finding tu insulting; it appears to be all the rage in Parisian new-media circles, for example.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

To aficionados of conventional 'biographies', Ackroyd's contrariness may be perplexing - thus we hear of the Tube before London's railways.

The Guardian - Books

Rosemary Blackmon, chief operating officer of the Alabama Hospital Association, said the new rules may be perplexing to some hospitals in her state.

Huffington Post

The teen's sartorial choices may be perplexing to some, but it represents the exciting new ways in which young black men are challenging ideas about masculinity.

HuffPost

Something funny in the USA may be perplexing in France, for example.

WikiHow

Che never goes off duty in this epic, and those who stick with it over both movies may well be perplexed at how very little of Che's life it covers.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be perplexed" when you want to suggest a possibility of confusion without stating it as a certainty. This softens the statement and allows for other interpretations or understandings.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, excessive use of "may be perplexed" can make your writing sound hesitant. In formal contexts, consider using stronger verbs like "struggle to understand" or "misinterpret" if the situation warrants a more direct tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be perplexed" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility or likelihood of someone experiencing confusion or bewilderment. It softens the assertion, indicating uncertainty rather than a definite state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be perplexed" is a versatile expression used to suggest a potential state of confusion or bewilderment. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the expression is correct and appropriate for use in written English. Its neutral register and common usage across diverse sources like The New York Times and The Guardian make it a reliable choice for conveying uncertainty about someone's understanding. While alternatives like ""might be confused"" or ""could be baffled"" exist, "may be perplexed" offers a slightly more nuanced indication of deeper bewilderment, often in response to complex or intricate situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might feel confused

Uses "might feel" to soften the certainty, and "confused" as a direct synonym for perplexed.

could be baffled

Replaces "may be" with "could be" and "perplexed" with "baffled" to denote a stronger sense of bewilderment.

may experience confusion

Nominalizes "confused" into "confusion", presenting it as an experience.

might find it puzzling

Shifts the focus to the situation being puzzling, rather than the person being perplexed.

could struggle to understand

Focuses on the difficulty in comprehension instead of the feeling of perplexity.

might not grasp the meaning

Emphasizes the failure to understand the intended meaning.

might be at a loss

Indicates a state of not knowing what to think or do, reflecting a type of perplexity.

could be thrown off balance

Suggests a disruption in understanding or composure due to something unexpected.

might scratch their heads

An idiomatic expression indicating confusion or puzzlement.

may draw a blank

Describes a failure to recall or understand something, resulting in perplexity.

FAQs

How can I use "may be perplexed" in a sentence?

You can use "may be perplexed" to indicate a possibility of confusion or bewilderment, for example: "Readers "may be perplexed" by the complex plot twists."

What are some alternatives to "may be perplexed"?

Alternatives include "might be confused", "could be baffled", or "might find it puzzling", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "may be perplexed" or "are perplexed"?

The choice depends on the context. "Are perplexed" indicates a definite state of confusion, while "may be perplexed" suggests a possibility or uncertainty about their confusion.

What's the difference between "may be perplexed" and "may be confused"?

While similar, "perplexed" often implies a deeper level of bewilderment or difficulty in understanding compared to simply being "confused". You might use "perplexed" when someone faces a particularly complex or intricate situation.