was confused

USAGE SUMMARY

"was confused" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to show that someone didn't understand something. For example: She was confused when she saw the math problem on the board.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rocket was confused.

The New York Times - Books

Sue was confused, overwhelmed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Plastino was confused.

The New York Times - Arts

The audience was confused.

The New York Times - Arts

The husband was confused.

The New York Times

Ms. Meehan was confused.

The New York Times

But he was confused.

The New Yorker

She was confused.

The New York Times

His mother was confused.

The New York Times

The mood was confused.

Independent

I was confused.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was confused" to clearly indicate a state of mental uncertainty or lack of understanding. Ensure that the context provides sufficient information about the cause of the confusion to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was confused" when a stronger term like "was bewildered" or "was baffled" more accurately reflects the level of disorientation or perplexity. Choose the word that best fits the degree of confusion experienced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was confused" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state of being. It indicates a past state of mental uncertainty or lack of understanding, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was confused" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a past state of mental uncertainty or lack of understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to choose words carefully to accurately reflect the degree of confusion. Alternatives like "was bewildered" or "was perplexed" can be used for stronger emphasis. Using "was confused" effectively requires ensuring context provides clarity about the cause of the confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was bewildered

Emphasizes a state of being perplexed or puzzled, often by something complex or inexplicable.

was perplexed

Highlights intellectual uncertainty and the need for clarification.

was puzzled

Suggests a mild form of confusion, often prompting curiosity and further investigation.

was baffled

Implies a stronger sense of bewilderment, suggesting that the situation is difficult to comprehend.

was disoriented

Focuses on a loss of direction or understanding of one's surroundings or circumstances.

was at a loss

Indicates an inability to understand or know what to do in a particular situation.

was mystified

Suggests that something is strange or mysterious and difficult to explain.

couldn't understand

Directly states a lack of comprehension.

didn't comprehend

Implies a more formal or intellectual lack of understanding.

was in a fog

Uses a metaphor to describe a state of mental confusion or unclear thinking.

FAQs

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

Use "was confused" to describe someone's state of not understanding something. For example: "He "was confused" by the complex instructions."

What are some alternatives to "was confused"?

You can use alternatives such as "was bewildered", "was perplexed", or "was puzzled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "was confuse" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""was confused"", where "confused" is the past participle of the verb "confuse".

What is the difference between "was confused" and "is confused"?

"Was confused" refers to a state of confusion in the past, while "is confused" refers to a state of confusion in the present. For example: "He "was confused" yesterday" versus "He "is confused" now."