ENGLISH
REFERENCE

confuses

v.
B1 Intermediate US //kənˈfjuzɪz// UK //kənfjˈuːzɪz// con·fus·es

v. to make someone feel like they do not understand something or to mix two things up in your mind.

v. to cause a person to become bewildered or to fail to distinguish between two or more items. Third-person singular present form of 'confuse'.


SIMPLE

The new road layout confuses many drivers.

CONTEXTUAL

He often confuses the twins because they look and sound exactly the same.

COMPLEX

The witness's contradictory testimony confuses the jury, making it difficult for them to reach a clear verdict on the defendant's guilt.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. When describing a state of mind, the passive form 'is confused' is more common.

Pitfall

He confuses with the rulesThe rules confuse himConfuse is a transitive verb; the thing causing the lack of understanding is the subject, and the person is the object.

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