under confusion

USAGE SUMMARY

"under confusion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is struggling to understand something, or when something is causing them to feel a sense of confusion. For example, "The man was unable to make sense of the complex instructions, and was left under confusion as to what he should do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The declarations were taken against my will, and so everything I said was taken under confusion and pressure," Ms. Knox said of her written account.

The New York Times

First, under "confusion" situation, where the environmental signal and actual growth rate conflict, gene expression appears to be linked to the environment and not to the growth rate.

Plosone

Although S100 protein has long been used to indicate DCs, its significance is still under confusion.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If you don't, make a fake oracle by typing up confusing poems (that has meaning under the confusion) and that can lead to tasks and accomplishments.

WikiHow

Entertaining artists stormed under by confusion; even Julius Tannen.

The New Yorker

She mentioned the 22 times he answered questions on the second day of trial by saying "absolutely not" as evidence that he was not operating under any confusion or faulty memory.

The New York Times

For its part, Airbnb, chafing under the confusion and baggage increasingly accompanying the term, has also become wary of the label "sharing economy".

TechCrunch

Hartley is untainted by the self-regard, confusion and under- achievement of England's abject  World Cup campaign.

Independent

Mr Botha's occasional stumbles became outright confusion under forensic cross-examination.

Independent

Ben Daniels's Agamemnon seeks to hide his moral confusion under meaningless activity.

The Guardian

It just happened through inertia and confusion under the sclerotic Soviet leadership of the late '70s and early '80s.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under confusion" to describe a situation where someone's understanding is impaired due to complexity, stress, or misinformation. For example, "The witness gave conflicting statements under confusion during the interrogation."

Common error

Avoid using "under confusion" when "in a state of confusion" is more appropriate. "Under" typically implies a condition or influence, while "in" describes a state of being. For example, it's more natural to say "The crowd was in confusion" rather than "The crowd was under confusion" if you're simply describing their emotional state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under confusion" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the condition or circumstances in which an action occurs. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a state of impaired understanding or clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under confusion" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a state of impaired understanding or a situation influenced by a lack of clarity. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to note that it's less common than similar expressions like "in a state of confusion". Predominantly found in news, science, and wiki contexts, the phrase serves to explain how confusion affects actions or decisions. Alternatives such as "in a state of bewilderment" or "amidst the chaos" offer semantically similar options. When using "under confusion", ensure that "under" correctly conveys the influence of confusion, rather than merely describing a state of being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a state of bewilderment

Focuses on the mental state of being perplexed or disoriented.

in a perplexed state

Emphasizes the condition of being puzzled or unable to understand something clearly.

amidst the chaos

Highlights the surrounding chaotic environment contributing to confusion.

in a haze of uncertainty

Conveys a lack of clarity and a state of doubt.

struggling to comprehend

Focuses on the effort to understand something that is not clear.

lost in the fog

Uses a metaphorical description of being disoriented.

grappling with ambiguity

Highlights the effort of trying to deal with something indefinite.

battling bewilderment

Emphasizes the struggle against feeling confused.

facing disorientation

Highlights the confrontation with the feeling of being lost or confused.

navigating uncertainty

Focuses on the active process of dealing with a lack of certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "under confusion" in a sentence?

The phrase "under confusion" is used to describe a situation where someone is experiencing a lack of clarity or understanding due to various factors. For instance, "The suspect made conflicting statements under confusion during the police interview."

What are some alternatives to saying "under confusion"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in a state of bewilderment", "amidst the chaos", or "in a perplexed state", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "under confusion" or should I use another preposition?

While "under confusion" is grammatically correct, phrases like "in a state of confusion" or "amid confusion" might sound more natural depending on the context. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "under confusion" and "in confusion"?

"Under confusion" suggests being subjected to the influence of confusion, while "in confusion" describes the state of being within a confused situation. The slight difference in meaning affects which preposition is more suitable for a given sentence.