more puzzling than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more puzzling than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the level of puzzlement of one thing to another, indicating that one is more confusing or difficult to understand than the other. Example: "The riddle was more puzzling than I had anticipated, leaving me stumped for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Its author's identity is a mystery even more puzzling than the puzzle itself.

The New York Times

After all, detective stories have a tendency to be rather samey, once you've read your first few dozen; surely an Estonian puzzle, you reason, would necessarily be more puzzling than a plain old English one.

The Guardian - Books

It is more puzzling than intriguing.

The Guardian

But mysteries remain, some more puzzling than ever.

The New York Times - Science

Now the paradox is back and more puzzling than ever.

MIT Technology Review

In America, Hinduism was more puzzling than anything.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Before you know it, 15 minutes of dizzying music detail, underpinned by drummer Kaspar Rast's Zen-like groove, have gone by with more puzzling allusions than Ezra Pound's Cantos: Bärtsch acknowledges Eastern philosophy, Japanese ritual music, John Cage, Steve Reich and James Brown's earthy repetitions yet doesn't import these elements wholesale into his music.

The Guardian - Music

So The Great British Summer, narrated by Titchmarsh, was perhaps even more puzzling for me than it would have been otherwise.

The Guardian

If a yearning for days when he was reputedly Hollywood's highest-paid writer seemed contradictory for a card-carrying Communist, that was no more puzzling, Christopher Trumbo said, than his father's seemingly casual decision to join the party in the first place.

The New York Times

The Countrywide Puzzle As nonprosecutions go, perhaps none is more puzzling to legal experts than the case of Countrywide, the nation's largest mortgage lender.

The New York Times

I would like to attempt it, though, in discussing three aspects of film that seem more interesting (and perhaps more puzzling) to me today than they did when I first found myself working as a professional film critic twelve years ago.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two concepts, ensure both are clearly defined to highlight why one is "more puzzling than" the other. Provide specific examples or details to support your comparison and enhance clarity.

Common error

Ensure that what you're comparing something to is a valid point of reference. Saying something is "more puzzling than usual" is less effective than saying it's "more puzzling than the standard model of quantum physics".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more puzzling than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to compare the degree to which two subjects cause confusion or bewilderment. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more puzzling than" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a comparative level of confusion or difficulty between two subjects. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, this phrase effectively communicates that one subject is harder to understand than another. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by defining both subjects being compared. Alternatives include "more confusing than" or "more baffling than". Be mindful of vague comparisons; always provide a clear reference point for context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more baffling than

Replaces "puzzling" with "baffling", emphasizing the confusing nature.

more perplexing than

Substitutes "puzzling" with "perplexing", highlighting the bewildering aspect.

more confusing than

Uses "confusing" instead of "puzzling", focusing on the lack of clarity.

less straightforward than

Offers an opposite perspective, indicating something is not as simple.

more mysterious than

Replaces "puzzling" with "mysterious", implying an element of secrecy.

more enigmatic than

Similar to mysterious, but suggests a deliberate obscurity.

harder to understand than

A more direct and less nuanced way of expressing difficulty in comprehension.

more obscure than

Suggests a lack of clarity due to the subject being hidden or vague.

more difficult to fathom than

Emphasizes the challenge in deeply understanding something.

raises more questions than

Shifts the focus from puzzlement to the generation of further inquiries.

FAQs

How can I use "more puzzling than" in a sentence?

You can use "more puzzling than" to compare the level of confusion or difficulty in understanding between two subjects. For instance, "The instructions were "more puzzling than" the diagram, making assembly quite challenging."

What are some alternatives to saying "more puzzling than"?

Alternatives include "more confusing than", "more baffling than", or "more perplexing than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "more puzzling than" or "most puzzling than"?

"More puzzling than" is correct for comparing two things. "Most puzzling" is used to describe something that is the most puzzling of all in a group.

What's the difference between "more puzzling than" and "less clear than"?

"More puzzling than" implies active confusion or difficulty in understanding, while "less clear than" simply suggests a lack of clarity without necessarily implying confusion. Something that is "more puzzling than" something else actively confounds, while something "less clear than" simply is not as easily understood.