utterly confused

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly confused" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme confusion or bewilderment. Example: After trying to understand the complicated instructions, I was utterly confused and had no idea what to do next.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I get utterly confused".

The New Yorker

Phineas is utterly confused.

The New York Times - Books

I was financially dependent, utterly confused.

The Guardian - Opinion

The crew here is utterly confused.

The New York Times

Most of his recent narrators admit to being utterly confused.

The New Yorker

That is the nickname for the community of Somerton, prompting her to be utterly confused.

The New York Times

Utterly confused, the pilots argued briefly about whether the plane was climbing or descending.

The Guardian - Tech

"Most of the debate is utterly confused or generally without knowledge".

The Guardian

They seemed utterly confused about the paperwork that Nicolas needed to bring his Land Cruiser into the country temporarily.

The New York Times

"I remember my first year in undergrad I was sitting in class and just looking around, utterly confused.

The Guardian - Books

"I made an attempt last year to apply but I soon became utterly confused by the system.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly confused" to vividly describe situations where someone experiences a high degree of bewilderment or lack of understanding. It effectively conveys the intensity of the confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly confused" as a generic intensifier. Ensure the context genuinely warrants such a strong expression of confusion, rather than substituting it for milder terms like "slightly puzzled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly confused" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. The adverb "utterly" intensifies the adjective "confused", indicating a high degree of bewilderment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly confused" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to convey a strong sense of bewilderment. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, mainly appearing in News & Media, Wiki and Science. When writing, consider alternatives such as "completely bewildered" or "totally perplexed" to express similar sentiments. Avoid overuse and ensure the phrase accurately reflects the intensity of confusion being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly bewildered

Synonymous, simply uses a different word with the same intensifying adverb.

completely bewildered

Emphasizes a state of extreme perplexity, suggesting a total loss of understanding.

totally perplexed

Focuses on the mental state of being thoroughly puzzled and uncertain.

entirely baffled

Highlights a sense of being stumped or frustrated due to a lack of comprehension.

deeply perplexed

Suggests a profound level of mental puzzle and uncertainty.

absolutely mystified

Conveys a sense of being puzzled and intrigued, as if facing a mystery.

thoroughly disoriented

Focuses on the loss of bearings or sense of direction, both mentally and physically.

in complete bewilderment

Shifts the structure to a prepositional phrase, emphasizing the state of confusion.

genuinely puzzled

Emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity of the confusion.

at a complete loss

Indicates an inability to understand or proceed due to confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly confused" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly confused" to describe a state of extreme bewilderment. For instance, "After reading the instructions, I was "utterly confused" about how to assemble the furniture."

What phrases are similar to "utterly confused"?

Similar phrases include "completely bewildered", "totally perplexed", and "entirely baffled", each conveying a strong sense of confusion.

Is it correct to say "utterly confuse" instead of "utterly confused"?

No, "utterly confuse" is grammatically incorrect. "Utterly" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "confused". The correct form is ""utterly confused"", which describes a state of being.

What's the difference between "utterly confused" and "slightly confused"?

"Utterly confused" indicates a strong, almost overwhelming sense of bewilderment. In contrast, "slightly confused" suggests a mild level of puzzlement. The choice depends on the intensity of the confusion you want to convey.