to add to the confusion

USAGE SUMMARY

"to add to the confusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which more complexity or difficulty has been added to an already confusing situation. For example: "The traffic detour added to the confusion, making it hard to find the correct route to our destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To add to the confusion, he may be both.

The New York Times

The myths of paramedic glories past tend to add to the confusion of graduates.

Nurse Education in Practice

To add to the confusion, people began to learn that photographs could be manipulated.

The New York Times - Arts

To add to the confusion, some producers, like Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, spell it "petite syrah".

The New York Times - Food

Our response, of course, should not be further to add to the confusion.

The Guardian

(Just to add to the confusion, Nikon calls its close-up lenses "Micro-Nikkors").

The New York Times - Tech

To add to the confusion, states vary in their definitions for gestational age.

The Washington Post

But to add to the confusion, the term Vlach can designate any non-Slav and Vlakhi may mean "any shepherd".

Columbia University

To add to the confusion, the hospital was originally organized as American Red Cross Hospital No. 1.

Columbia University

The findings are likely to add to the confusion about who should regularly take aspirin and who should not.

The New York Times

To add to the confusion, some sailors, armed with knives, were hunting wild pigs in the brush.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to add to the confusion" to signal that you are introducing information that will further complicate an already unclear or perplexing situation. It helps the reader understand that the topic is multifaceted and potentially difficult to grasp.

Common error

Avoid using "to add to the confusion" in contexts that are not genuinely confusing or complex. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted when a simpler phrase would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to add to the confusion" functions as a transitional phrase, often used to introduce additional information that exacerbates an already unclear or perplexing situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signals an increase in complexity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to add to the confusion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for signaling an increase in complexity. It functions as a transitional phrase, alerting readers to potentially unclear situations. While its register is generally neutral, it sees primary use in news and academic contexts. Remember to reserve it for situations that are legitimately complex to avoid diluting its impact and to ensure its effectiveness in conveying the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to further complicate matters

This alternative focuses on complicating an already complex situation, maintaining a formal tone.

to complicate things further

This option is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same sentiment.

to muddy the waters

This alternative uses a metaphor to suggest making a situation less clear or more confusing.

to make matters even more perplexing

This alternative directly highlights the perplexing nature of the situation, emphasizing confusion.

to compound the uncertainty

This alternative emphasizes increasing uncertainty in a situation, shifting focus slightly from confusion to uncertainty.

to pile on the complexities

Highlights the accumulation of complexities, intensifying the original confusion.

to make the situation murkier

Uses a metaphor to describe how things become less clear or more difficult to understand.

to throw another wrench into the works

Uses an idiomatic expression that implies introducing a new problem that disrupts a process.

to deepen the ambiguity

Focuses on increasing the level of ambiguity or lack of clarity.

to muddle things up even more

Implies that the pre-existing state was orderly but is now worsened by an additional element of disorder.

FAQs

How can I use "to add to the confusion" in a sentence?

You can use "to add to the confusion" to introduce a new element that makes a situation more complex or difficult to understand. For example, "The instructions were already unclear, and to add to the confusion, there were two conflicting diagrams."

What are some alternatives to "to add to the confusion"?

Alternatives include "to further complicate matters", "to muddy the waters", or "to make matters even more perplexing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to add to the confusion"?

It's appropriate when you are introducing something that genuinely makes a situation more confusing, typically by adding complexity, conflicting information, or uncertainty. It should be used when clarity is already lacking.

What's the difference between "to add to the confusion" and "to make matters worse"?

"To add to the confusion" indicates an increase in complexity or uncertainty, while "to make matters worse" implies a deterioration of the situation. They are not interchangeable; the first focuses on clarity, and the second on overall outcome.