stumped by

USAGE SUMMARY

"stumped by" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe being unable to find a solution or answer to something. For example, "The seventh grade math team was stumped by a difficult problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stumped by this happy conundrum?

The Economist

· Stumped by spelling?

The Guardian

Stumped by round one?

The New Yorker

Ancram is a bit stumped by this.

The Guardian

Osbourne said she was "stumped" by Sherzinger's decision.

Independent

While you wait, try our… Stumped by round one?

The New Yorker

The mature Agassi seems stumped by it, to this day.

The New York Times - Sports

Not everyone, however, says they are stumped by the phenomenon.

The New York Times

Even Einstein was stumped by this so-called quantum gravity.

The New York Times - Science

Only once does Leadsom appear stumped by a question.

The Guardian

Claire Rayner herself would have been stumped by that one.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject of the sentence is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. It should be clear who or what is being "stumped".

Common error

Avoid using prepositions other than "by" after "stumped". Using prepositions like "at", "on", or "with" is grammatically incorrect. For example, don't say "stumped at the problem"; use "stumped by the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stumped by" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate they are bewildered or unable to proceed due to something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stumped by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a state of confusion or being unable to understand something, confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a predicative adjective phrase and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts from news reports to academic discussions. The most common mistake is using the incorrect preposition. Remember, it's "stumped by", not "stumped on" or any other preposition. Its alternatives include phrases such as "baffled by", "perplexed by" and "confused by", each offering slight nuances in meaning. Based on the Ludwig analysis, using "stumped by" correctly will enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baffled by

Emphasizes confusion and bewilderment.

perplexed by

Highlights a state of being puzzled and uncertain.

confused by

Focuses on a lack of clarity and understanding.

puzzled by

Indicates a state of mild confusion and curiosity.

bewildered by

Suggests a deeper level of disorientation and confusion.

at a loss because of

Indicates being unsure of what to do or think because of something.

unable to comprehend

Highlights a complete lack of understanding.

couldn't make sense of

Indicates a failure to understand or find meaning in something.

challenged by

Suggests a difficulty in overcoming a problem or understanding a concept.

found difficult to understand

Emphasizes the subjective experience of struggling to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "stumped by" in a sentence?

Use "stumped by" to indicate a state of confusion or inability to understand something. For example: "The detectives were "baffled by" the lack of evidence, leaving them "stumped by" the case."

What are some alternatives to "stumped by"?

Alternatives to "stumped by" include "confused by", "perplexed by", or "baffled by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "stumped on" instead of "stumped by"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "stumped" in this context is "by". Saying "stumped on" is grammatically incorrect. It's always "stumped by".

What's the difference between "stumped by" and "challenged by"?

"Stumped by" indicates a state of confusion or inability to understand, while "challenged by" suggests difficulty but not necessarily complete incomprehension. You can be challenged by something without being completely "stumped by" it.