Grow impatient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Grow impatient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a gradual increase in feelings of impatience over time. Example: "As the meeting dragged on without any updates, the team began to grow impatient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Sometimes you grow impatient, angry, resentful.

The New York Times

Critics grow impatient with Professor Dawkins's atheism.

The New York Times - Science

When we're losing, they can grow impatient.

The New York Times

At that, Judge Pauley appeared to grow impatient.

The New York Times

If you grow impatient, it will go wrong.

The New Yorker

WHY did millions of Egyptian citizens grow impatient with his leadership?

The New York Times

Seasoned dog owners might grow impatient with the couple's hand-wringing over such ho-hum misdeeds.

The New York Times - Books

The government hoped that the public would grow impatient with the disruption to traffic and business.

The Economist

I knew I would grow impatient with him, so I left.

The Guardian - Opinion

George W. Bush may well grow impatient with Europeans' urging him to be cautious.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, some swing voters grow impatient with Mr. Gingrich, especially as his path to the nomination becomes more mathematically implausible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow impatient" to describe a gradual increase in impatience over time, rather than a sudden outburst. For example, "As the negotiations dragged on, the stakeholders began to grow impatient."

Common error

Avoid using "grow impatient" to describe sudden, immediate reactions. Instead, use phrases like "became impatient" or "snapped" to convey a more abrupt shift in emotion. "Grow impatient" implies a process, not a single moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow impatient" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe the process of someone becoming increasingly impatient. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from political situations to personal interactions. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grow impatient" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the process of becoming progressively impatient. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and its purpose is to express increasing frustration or restlessness over time. While versatile, it is best used to describe gradual changes rather than sudden bursts of impatience. Consider alternatives such as "start to lose patience" or "become exasperated" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, focus on using "grow impatient" when describing the escalation of frustration, remembering it is a process and not an immediate state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Start to lose patience

Emphasizes the process of losing patience, highlighting the gradual decline in tolerance.

Run out of patience

Similar to losing patience, but emphasizes the complete depletion of one's ability to remain patient.

Show irritation

Highlights the outward expression of impatience through visible signs of annoyance.

Find it hard to wait

Directly addresses the difficulty in waiting, emphasizing the struggle with delayed gratification.

Become exasperated

Indicates a higher level of frustration and annoyance than simply growing impatient.

Become restive

Suggests a state of unease and agitation, often in anticipation of something.

Get restless

Focuses on the physical manifestation of impatience, such as fidgeting or an inability to stay still.

Get antsy

An informal way of describing growing impatient, implying nervous energy and restlessness.

Begin to fret

Implies anxiety and worry alongside impatience, suggesting a more emotional response.

Reach the end of one's tether

Indicates that someone has exhausted their patience completely and can no longer tolerate the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "Grow impatient" in a sentence?

You can use "grow impatient" to describe a gradual increase in a feeling of impatience. For example, "The audience began to "grow impatient" as the speaker continued to ramble."

What phrases are similar to "Grow impatient"?

Alternatives to "grow impatient" include "become exasperated", "start to lose patience", or "get restless". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "Grows impatient"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "grows impatient" with singular subjects (e.g., "He grows impatient") and "grow impatient" with plural subjects (e.g., "They grow impatient").

What is the difference between "Become impatient" and "Grow impatient"?

"Become impatient" suggests a more immediate shift in feeling, while "grow impatient" implies a gradual process over time. You "become impatient" when something suddenly annoys you; you "grow impatient" as you wait longer and longer for something.