What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stumped
Example
I was stumped by the final question on the exam. [stumped: past tense verb]
Example
The detective was stumped by the lack of evidence at the crime scene. [stumped: past participle adjective]
confused
Example
I'm confused about the instructions for this assignment. [confused: adjective]
Example
The new student was confused about where to find their classroom. [confused: past participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confused is more commonly used than stumped in everyday language. Confused is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stumped is less common and refers to a specific situation of being unable to answer a question or solve a problem.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stumped and confused?
Both stumped and confused are informal words that can be used in casual conversations. However, confused is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
