we were stumped that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were stumped that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to express confusion or surprise about a particular situation or outcome, but it requires a different structure to be grammatically correct. Example: "We were stumped that the solution was so simple."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But then we were stumped that he was being retained.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The FBI are stumped, that's for sure.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Claire Rayner herself would have been stumped by that one.

The Guardian

Many natural-born Americans would be stumped on that one (it's the Seventh), but more than 90percentt of the applicants pass the current exam.

The New York Times

OMG 🤣 Cruz is stumped about anything that tells people about who he is as a person.

Huffington Post

If someone sits there and they're stumped, I think that tells you something.

The New York Times

He was stumped, until she mentioned that she had once worn a pair of his Wile E. Coyote slippers.

The New Yorker

If you are stumped, try contacting people that you knew in common and inquiring about your friend.

WikiHow

Coups and coup attempts are so common that experts are stumped when asked how many have taken place in the country's 38 years of independence.

The New York Times

But I was stumped — I had never considered that I was missing anything, not since she appeared.

The New York Times

It's such an obvious question that he's stumped.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "we were stumped that," consider restructuring the sentence to "it stumped us that..." for better flow.

Common error

Avoid directly following "we were stumped" with "that" as it creates a grammatically awkward structure. Instead, use a preposition like "by" followed by the object of your confusion or use a different phrasing entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were stumped that" functions as a description of a state of confusion or bewilderment. However, according to Ludwig AI, this particular construction is grammatically incorrect, making it an ineffective way to convey this meaning. Alternative phrasings are recommended for clarity and correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "we were stumped that" appears in some sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey confusion or surprise, but more effective and grammatically sound alternatives exist, such as "we were puzzled by the fact that" or "we were confused by". Usage ranges across neutral contexts like news and general content, but it's best to avoid this phrasing in formal writing. For clear and correct communication, opting for alternative constructions is highly recommended. The frequency of this expression is rare, further suggesting it is not a preferred choice in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were puzzled by the fact that

This alternative replaces "stumped that" with "puzzled by the fact that", providing a more grammatically standard construction.

we were perplexed by the idea that

This uses "perplexed by the idea that" to indicate confusion specifically about an idea or concept.

we were baffled that

Using "baffled that" offers a more concise and direct way to express being perplexed.

we found it puzzling that

This alternative shifts the sentence structure to "found it puzzling that", which is more common and grammatically sound.

we were confused by the reason that

This phrase uses "confused by the reason that" to convey a similar meaning of not understanding something.

we were mystified by the fact that

This alternative offers a more sophisticated vocabulary choice, replacing "stumped" with "mystified", to suggest bewilderment.

it stumped us that

This alternative changes the sentence structure to make "it" the subject and "stumped" the verb acting on "us", which is grammatically correct.

we were at a loss as to why

This uses a more idiomatic expression, "at a loss as to why", to indicate a lack of understanding.

we couldn't understand why

This provides a simpler and more direct way of saying that something was not understood.

we didn't comprehend that

This replaces "stumped" with "didn't comprehend", offering a straightforward way to express a lack of understanding.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "we were stumped" in a sentence?

Use constructions like "we were stumped by [the problem]" or rephrase to "[The problem] stumped us." These variations ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

What are some alternatives to "we were stumped that"?

Consider alternatives such as "we were puzzled by the fact that", "we were confused by", or "we were baffled that" for a more grammatically sound expression.

Is "we were stumped that" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "we were stumped that" is not considered correct. It's better to say "we were stumped by..." or rephrase the sentence entirely.

What's the difference between "we were stumped that" and "we were stumped by"?

"We were stumped that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "we were stumped by", where "by" is used as a preposition to connect the feeling of being stumped to the cause of the confusion.