perplexing text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perplexing text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a piece of writing that is confusing or difficult to understand. Example: "The novel was filled with perplexing text that left many readers scratching their heads."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, if we are confident of our reading ability, we are more likely to persist with difficult and perplexing text.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Also flawed are some utterly perplexing charts and graphs that are meant to amplify the text; they might benefit from color rather than varying shades of gray.

Los Angeles Times

He is astute on gender bias in body perception, describing, for example, how the clitoris was wholly left out of many anatomy texts, including modern ones, which makes his silence on his Eurocentric approach perplexing.

The New York Times - Books

It's perplexing.

The New York Times

It is quite perplexing.

The Guardian

It's also perplexing.

The New York Times - Arts

But others are perplexing.

The New York Times - Tech

The ambiguity is perplexing.

The Guardian

I found that perplexing.

The New York Times - Magazine

This decision is perplexing.

The Guardian - Film

The argument was perplexing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "perplexing text" with an explanation of why it is perplexing to enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "perplexing text" when simpler alternatives like "confusing words" or "difficult passage" would be more appropriate for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perplexing text" functions as a descriptive term, combining an adjective ("perplexing") with a noun ("text") to characterize a written passage that causes confusion or difficulty in understanding. Ludwig examples show its use in academic and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perplexing text" is a phrase used to describe text that is confusing or difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While not extremely common, it's a useful way to categorize writings that challenge comprehension. When using this phrase, consider providing additional context to clarify the source of the perplexity. Alternatives such as "confusing text" or "difficult text" may be more appropriate in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confusing text

Replaces "perplexing" with a more common synonym, "confusing", indicating difficulty in understanding.

difficult text

Focuses on the challenging nature of the text, rather than the confusion it evokes.

bewildering text

Highlights the state of confusion caused by the text.

incomprehensible text

Suggests the text is impossible to understand.

unintelligible text

Similar to "incomprehensible", but emphasizes the lack of clarity.

obscure text

Indicates the text is vague or not clearly expressed, making it hard to grasp.

complicated text

Emphasizes the complex structure or ideas presented in the text.

impenetrable text

Indicates the text is very difficult to understand or access its meaning.

enigmatic text

Suggests the text contains a mystery or puzzle.

cryptic text

Implies the text is deliberately obscure or uses coded language.

FAQs

How can I use "perplexing text" in a sentence?

You can use "perplexing text" to describe writings that are difficult to understand. For example: "The novel contained "perplexing text" that challenged even experienced readers."

What are some alternatives to "perplexing text"?

Alternatives include "confusing text", "difficult text", or "unclear writing", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "perplexing text" formal or informal?

"Perplexing text" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in analytical or descriptive writing, such as academic papers or news articles.

What makes text "perplexing"?

Text can be "perplexing" due to its complexity, ambiguity, use of jargon, or a lack of clear organization. It often requires careful reading and analysis to understand.