puzzling to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "puzzling to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to comprehend or makes one feel confused. Example: "The instructions were so convoluted that they were truly puzzling to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Which makes it all the more puzzling to understand why there has been so much outrage over the last few days about remarks Enda Kenny made at the Davos economic summit last week.

The Guardian

A piece in Sunday's Times promised to explain something puzzling: To understand how hard it is proving for President Obama to close the American military prison at Guantánamo Bay, consider the case of Alla Ali Bin Ali Ahmed, Internee Security No. 692.

The New Yorker

By Amy Davidson Sorkin October 5, 2009 A piece in Sunday's Times promised to explain something puzzling: To understand how hard it is proving for President Obama to close the American military prison at Guantánamo Bay, consider the case of Alla Ali Bin Ali Ahmed, Internee Security No. 692.

The New Yorker

Considering individual signaling pathways, it is puzzling to understand cAMP and calcium responses and how cells distinguish between different environments characterized by differing combinations of stimuli.

Plosone

It is puzzling to understand whether encystment and programmed cell death coexist in this group.

BioMed Research International

It is puzzling to understand why TAM did not seem to reduce the invasive LR rate; Cuzick et al. reported significant rate reductions with TAM for ipsilateral LR of DCIS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.71), and contralateral LR of invasive (HR 0.47) and DCIS (HR 0.36), but TAM had no effect on ipsilateral invasive LR rates (HR 0.95) [ 11].

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Why is such an often overly uttered word one of the most puzzling and difficult to understand?

Forbes

It's sort of puzzling to see Clearwire partner up with someone like NetZero, but all it takes is a quick look at what Clearwire has recently been through to understand why.

TechCrunch

The dissertation advances a new theoretical framework, namely, identity distance theory, to understand these puzzling phenomena.

Harvard University

A large, and purportedly increasing, number of research fields in modern science require scholars from more than one discipline to understand their puzzling phenomena.

Research Policy

The first claim is itself puzzling, since it is hard to understand why there would be such disagreement among philosophers about the ontology of music if there were easy answers available.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "puzzling to understand", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing the confusion. Be specific about the subject that is difficult to grasp for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using unnecessarily complex sentence structures when describing something as "puzzling to understand". Keep the surrounding language clear and concise to avoid adding to the confusion.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival modifier. The phrase "puzzling to understand" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun or concept as being difficult to comprehend. Ludwig examples show its uses across diverse contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "puzzling to understand" is a grammatically correct and neutrally formal expression used to describe something that is difficult to comprehend. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. While not overly common, it appears across various contexts, including science, news media, and academia. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to specify what exactly is "puzzling to understand". Related phrases such as "difficult to comprehend" or "hard to fathom" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings. Be mindful of overcomplicating sentence structures when employing this phrase, ensuring the surrounding language remains clear and concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to comprehend

Emphasizes the difficulty in grasping the meaning.

hard to fathom

Highlights the struggle to deeply understand something.

challenging to grasp

Focuses on the effort required to understand.

difficult to make sense of

Highlights the lack of clarity and coherence.

tough to figure out

Suggests a problem-solving approach to understanding.

complex to decipher

Emphasizes the intricate nature that requires careful analysis.

bewildering to interpret

Focuses on the confusing nature of the information.

obscure to understand

Highlights the lack of clarity and transparency.

enigmatic to decode

Emphasizes the mysterious and coded nature.

perplexing to unravel

Suggests a complex and tangled situation.

FAQs

What does "puzzling to understand" mean?

The phrase "puzzling to understand" means something is difficult to comprehend or makes you feel confused. It suggests that the subject in question is not easily grasped.

How can I use "puzzling to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "puzzling to understand" to describe anything that causes confusion. For example: "The instructions were so convoluted that they were truly puzzling to understand".

Are there alternatives to "puzzling to understand"?

Yes, alternatives include "difficult to comprehend", "hard to fathom", or "challenging to grasp". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "puzzling to understand"?

Yes, "puzzling to understand" is grammatically correct and widely used. However, ensure the context is appropriate, and consider whether a more precise alternative might be more effective.