this is very confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

'this is very confusing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate that a situation is complex and difficult to understand. For example, "The instructions for this software are terribly confusing; this is very confusing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This is very confusing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

All this is very confusing.

The New York Times

But believe me, outside the echo chamber, all of this is very confusing.

Huffington Post

Step 3, page 5: this is very confusing.

F1000Research

This is very confusing for visitors, though understandable.

The New York Times

This is very confusing to me and I would appreciate any clarification.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

At best, this was "very confused"; at worst, a terrible punishment for firefighters trying to help the Guardian out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The situation is very confusing.

The New York Times

"I don't believe anyone... everything is very confusing.

The Guardian

The terminology of cystic lesions is very confusing.

Insights into Imaging

Discussion of "peer review" is very confusing.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is very confusing" to express immediate bewilderment or to introduce a need for clarification. It is suitable when transitioning to an explanation of what specifically is causing the confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "this is very confusing" as a standalone statement without explaining what exactly is confusing. Always follow up with details or questions to clarify the source of the confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is very confusing" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a state of confusion or lack of understanding. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in various contexts. Examples show it used to comment on unclear instructions, complex situations, or contradictory arguments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is very confusing" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express bewilderment or a lack of understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, serving to signal the need for clarification. While versatile, it's best practice to follow up with specifics to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "this is quite perplexing" or "I find this incomprehensible" for different tones. The phrase is generally neutral and widely accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is quite perplexing

Replaces "very confusing" with a more formal adjective, 'perplexing'.

This is utterly baffling

Substitutes "very confusing" with a stronger term, 'baffling', to emphasize the level of incomprehension.

I find this incomprehensible

Shifts the focus to the speaker's inability to understand, using 'incomprehensible'.

I'm completely bewildered by this

Uses 'bewildered' to describe the speaker's state of confusion, adding a personal element.

This makes no sense to me

A more direct and straightforward way of expressing confusion or lack of understanding.

I'm at a loss to understand this

Indicates that the speaker is unable to grasp the meaning or reason behind something.

This is beyond my comprehension

Emphasizes the limits of the speaker's understanding regarding a particular matter.

This is as clear as mud

A figurative expression indicating something is not clear at all; quite the opposite.

I can't make head nor tail of this

An idiomatic expression signifying a complete lack of understanding.

This is all Greek to me

An idiomatic phrase meaning something is incomprehensible, like listening to a foreign language.

FAQs

How can I use "this is very confusing" in a sentence?

You can use "this is very confusing" to express a lack of understanding. For example, "The instructions are poorly written; this is very confusing."

What's a more formal way to say "this is very confusing"?

For a more formal tone, you could say, "this is quite perplexing" or "I find this incomprehensible". See other "alternatives here".

What can I say instead of "this is very confusing" if I want to sound less direct?

Consider softer alternatives like, "I'm a little lost here" or "Could you elaborate on this?" which invite further explanation without directly stating confusion.

Is it appropriate to use "this is very confusing" in professional communication?

Yes, but ensure it's followed by a specific request for clarification. For example, "This process is very confusing; could you provide additional details on step three?"