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Prepositions with nouns

“Of confusion”, “in confusion” or “to confusion”?

In confusion is used for a confused state or reaction. Of confusion appears in descriptive noun phrases. To confusion is uncommon and usually not idiomatic in modern English.

Quick answer

Which form should you use?

Use in confusion when someone reacts in a confused way. Use of confusion in phrases like a moment of confusion. Do not normally use to confusion as a fixed combination with the noun confusion.

The audience looked at each other in confusion.
There was a brief moment of confusion after the announcement.
She shook her head in confusion.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in confusion

Describing a confused state or reaction

Use in confusion to describe how someone feels or behaves.

He stared at the map in confusion.
The children ran around in confusion after the alarm.
2
moment/state/sense of confusion

Naming the experience of confusion

Use of confusion after another noun to describe a type or feeling.

There was a sudden feeling of confusion in the room.
She remembered a moment of confusion before the lights returned.
3
confusion about/over + topic

Showing what causes confusion

About and over introduce the subject that is unclear.

There is still confusion about the new rules.
The email created confusion over the meeting time.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in confusion
He looked around in confusion.
Describes someone's confused reaction or condition.
of confusion
The delay caused a moment of confusion.
Used inside a larger noun phrase.
to confusion
The phrase to confusion is rare and usually unnatural in modern English.
Not a standard fixed combination with confusion.
confusion about
There is confusion about the deadline.
Shows the topic causing uncertainty.

Common mistakes

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

Using to confusion as a normal pattern

English does not usually use to confusion after verbs or adjectives.

✕ The news led the staff to confusion. ✓ The news caused confusion among the staff.

Using in confusion before a noun

In confusion describes a state, not a noun directly.

✕ an in confusion student ✓ a confused student

Missing an article before of confusion phrases

A noun usually comes before of confusion.

✕ There was of confusion after the speech. ✓ There was a lot of confusion after the speech.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She paused ___ confusion when the screen went black.
2. There was a moment ___ confusion before the meeting started.
3. The instructions created confusion ___ the payment process.

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Frequently asked questions

Is to confusion ever correct?

It is very uncommon as a fixed phrase with confusion. Other structures such as cause confusion or lead to confusion are more natural.

Can in confusion describe actions?

Yes. It often describes how someone looks, speaks, or reacts.

What prepositions commonly follow confusion?

About and over are common for the topic causing confusion.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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