What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
garbled
Example
The phone line was garbled, and I couldn't understand what the person was saying. [garbled: adjective]
Example
The message was garbled, and I had to ask for clarification. [garbled: past participle]
muddled
Example
I'm feeling muddled about what to do next. [muddled: adjective]
Example
The instructions were muddled, and I had trouble following them. [muddled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Muddled is more commonly used than garbled in everyday language. Muddled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while garbled is less common and typically used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between garbled and muddled?
Garbled is typically associated with a more formal tone due to its technical connotation, while muddled is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
