confused about/by

[angliholic]

If you're confused about/by how much water you really need, I'm not surprised.


Would you say confused about or by? Thanks.

[Casiopea]

If you are confused about something, you don't understand its nature. If you are confused by something, you understand its nature but not what it means.

Ex: I am confused about computer jargon. What is it?
Ex: I am confused by computer jargon. What does it mean?

Does that help?

[angliholic]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

If you are confused about something, you don't understand its nature. If you are confused by something, you understand its nature but not what it means.

Ex: I am confused about computer jargon. What is it?
Ex: I am confused by computer jargon. What does it mean?

Does that help?

Thanks, Casiopea.
Now, my mind is at sixes and sevens--I couldn't think clearly.
Besides, I'm both confused by and about your paradoxical explanation. Maybe it will take a few more samples to clear up the confusion.

[Casiopea]

I am not confused about your example sentence; I am confused by it.

All the best.

[Casiopea]

Ex: Max is confused by the dictionary.
=> Max knows how to use a dictionary, but one of the entries in his dictionary confuses him. The entry, not the dictionary, confuses him.


Ex: Max is confused about the dictionary.
=> Max doesn't know how to use the dictionary properly.


Does that help?

[meylenlau]

Originally Posted by angliholic

If you're confused about/by how much water you really need, I'm not surprised.


Would you say confused about or by? Thanks.

I think both confused about / by can be used, depending on the context of the sentence.
Examples:
1. I was confused by the statement in the announcement.
2. People are confused about the explanation given by the
media.

3. Their behaviours confuse me.
4. The advertisement confuses everybody.

How about others, what's your opinion?

[angliholic]

Thanks, Casiopea.
I think both about and by work in my base sentence with subtle nuances, right?