Become agitated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Become agitated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of becoming upset, anxious, or disturbed, often in response to a situation or stimulus. Example: "As the debate continued, many audience members began to become agitated by the heated exchanges between the speakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If they become agitated, they are given tranquillisers.

The Guardian

As I listen to the debate over the Race to the Top, I become agitated.

The New York Times - Magazine

If they become agitated, security arrives in black uniforms making it even worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They can become agitated, aggressive and their psychotic state will worsen.

The Guardian

But he would become agitated soon enough, upset with a few dubious line calls.

The Guardian - Sport

Many societies believe that a woman will become agitated, overbearing, sexually voracious and so unmarriageable unless her clitoris is controlled.

The Economist

Even though many on Wall Street believe that a default remains unlikely, the financial markets are starting to become agitated.

The New York Times

Some MPs have become agitated at its poor record, which has proved to be consistently over-optimistic.

The Guardian - Business

The individual may wander, become agitated, hide things, wear too few or too many clothes, become overly suspicious, engage in unsafe behaviors, or use foul language.

Harvard University

The 29-year-old had become agitated by Mirka's habit of shouting encouragement to Roger between serves, in what is a breach of etiquette.

Independent

Prior to ablation, one of the animals would become agitated when it made an incorrect choice during a memory task; this response was eliminated by the operation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gradual increase in agitation, use "become agitated" to effectively illustrate the process of escalating unease or disturbance.

Common error

While generally acceptable, repeatedly using "become agitated" can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "grow restless", "become anxious" or "get worked up" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become agitated" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process or change of state. Ludwig AI confirms this, as it is commonly used to describe someone's emotional or behavioral transition to a state of unease or disturbance. The phrase serves to illustrate the process of escalating unease or disturbance in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become agitated" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the process of becoming upset, disturbed, or anxious. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific literature. While relatively neutral in tone, it is essential to consider synonyms to avoid repetitiveness in writing. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, this phrase effectively conveys a change in emotional or behavioral state, indicating an escalation of unease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get worked up

Focuses on the escalation of emotional intensity.

Grow restless

Highlights a lack of peace and an inability to remain still or quiet.

Become anxious

Emphasizes worry and unease.

Turn aggressive

Indicates a shift toward hostile or violent behavior.

Become frantic

Suggests uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior.

Fly into a rage

Emphasizes a sudden outburst of anger.

Get on edge

Implies a state of heightened nervousness.

Lose one's cool

Indicates a loss of composure and control.

Start to panic

Highlights a sudden feeling of overwhelming fear.

Boil over

Suggests a buildup of frustration that finally erupts.

FAQs

How can I use "become agitated" in a sentence?

"Become agitated" describes the process of becoming upset or disturbed. For example, "The crowd began to "become agitated" as the speaker's tone grew more aggressive."

What are some alternatives to "become agitated"?

Alternatives include "grow restless", "become anxious", or "get worked up", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "become agitated" or "get agitated"?

Both "become agitated" and "get agitated" are acceptable. "Become agitated" might suggest a slightly more gradual process, while "get agitated" can imply a quicker onset of agitation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "become agitated"?

"Become agitated" is suitable in various contexts, from describing a patient's condition in a medical setting to explaining a character's emotional state in literature. The level of formality is neutral, so it works across many writing styles.