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Prepositions after adjectives

Baffling to, for, in, as or of

Baffling is most naturally followed by to when naming the confused person. Other prepositions usually belong to a different structure.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows baffling?

Use baffling to someone to show who finds something confusing. Baffling for is sometimes used in broader situations, but baffling in, baffling as, and baffling of are not standard adjective patterns.

The instructions were baffling to new users.
The decision seemed baffling to everyone.
The delay was baffling for the whole team.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
baffling to + person

Naming who feels confused

This is the most common and natural pattern after baffling.

Her reaction was baffling to me.
The ending is baffling to many readers.
2
baffling for + group

Describing a confusing situation for someone

Baffling for is possible when the phrase focuses on the situation affecting a person or group.

The sudden rule change was baffling for staff members.
3
baffling as + noun

Using as in a separate role

As does not normally follow baffling directly as a fixed adjective pattern. It can introduce a role or comparison in the sentence.

The symbol appeared as a warning sign.
4
baffling in + noun

Using in as an adjunct

In usually introduces a place, field, or context rather than forming a fixed pattern with baffling.

The results were baffling in several ways.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
baffling to
The message was baffling to me.
confusing for someone
baffling for
The change was baffling for new employees.
confusing in a situation affecting someone
baffling in
The pattern was baffling in many respects.
in introduces a context, not a fixed adjective pattern
baffling as
The object was described as baffling.
as belongs to describe as, not baffling as
baffling of
That choice was baffling.
Baffling of is not a standard adjective pattern

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using baffling of

Baffling is not normally followed by of.

✕ The answer was baffling of me. ✓ The answer was baffling to me.

Treating as as the selected preposition

As usually belongs to another part of the sentence.

✕ The idea was baffling as me. ✓ The idea was baffling to me.

Using in instead of to for people

Use to before the person who feels confused.

✕ The explanation was baffling in the students. ✓ The explanation was baffling to the students.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The instructions were baffling ___ the interns.
2. The sudden silence was baffling ___ everyone in the room.
3. Which option is not a standard pattern after baffling?

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Frequently asked questions

Is baffling to the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the clearest and most natural way to name who is confused.

Can I use baffling for?

Yes, especially when talking about a confusing situation affecting a person or group.

Is baffling of correct English?

No. Native speakers normally use baffling to instead.

bad, for, bad, of bankrupt in, by, for, as or with? "barefoot in" or "barefoot on"? "bare of", "bare with" or "bare in"? "basic of" or "basic to"? beautiful in, with, on, for or to? beholden to, for or on? "beloved by", "beloved to" or "beloved of"? "bemused by" or "bemused at"? "beneficial to" or "beneficial for"? bereft of, at, by, in or without? bewildered by, at, as, with or in?

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