I am cross

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am cross" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express that you are angry or annoyed. Example: "I am cross because he forgot my birthday." Alternative expressions include "I am angry" and "I am upset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For example, slamming a door is much more effective than saying "I am cross".

The Guardian

"I am cross but not as cross as the runners.

BBC

"After our marriage," she wrote to him early on, "you will be forming theories about me, and if I am cross or out of temper you will only consider: 'What does that prove?' which will be a very philosophical way of considering it".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I'm farsighted, and I am cross-sighted, and I have a huge astigmatism.

The New York Times

They're a band that seem to physically describe the phrase "you can't sit with us", yet here I am, cross-legged on the grass in LA, in the bosom of their hang.

The Guardian - Music

"I am crossing the border because no one there is speaking up for them," he says.

The New York Times

Note to readers: I am cross-posting this (with permission and mild edits) from democracyforamerica.com.

Huffington Post

I am crossing my fingers that never happens.

Huffington Post

It is also the month I am crossing paths with famous people but not meeting them.

Huffington Post

I am crossing my fingers and praying they will both succeed.

Huffington Post

I was cross".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am cross" to express a mild form of anger or annoyance, particularly when aiming for a slightly old-fashioned or British English tone.

Common error

Avoid using "I am cross" too frequently in contemporary American English, as it may sound dated or affected. Opt for more common alternatives like "I am angry" or "I am upset" in most situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am cross" serves as a subject-verb-complement construction, where "I" is the subject, "am" is the verb, and "cross" functions as the subjective complement, describing the state of being of the subject. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability for expressing anger or annoyance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am cross" is a grammatically sound way to express anger or annoyance. While deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare, particularly in modern American English. It is most commonly found in news and media sources and might be considered slightly old-fashioned in certain contexts. For more contemporary expressions, consider alternatives like "I am angry" or "I am annoyed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am angry

Replaces "cross" with a more direct synonym "angry".

I am annoyed

Substitutes "cross" with "annoyed", indicating a milder form of displeasure.

I am irritated

Replaces "cross" with "irritated", suggesting a state of impatience or frustration.

I am displeased

Uses "displeased" instead of "cross", implying a more formal expression of dissatisfaction.

I am upset

Replaces "cross" with "upset", conveying a sense of emotional distress.

I feel resentful

Uses "feel resentful", suggesting a lingering feeling of bitterness or indignation.

I'm in a bad mood

Expresses a general state of unhappiness rather than direct anger.

I'm not happy about this

Conveys displeasure without explicitly stating anger.

This makes me angry

Shifts the focus to the cause of the anger rather than directly stating the feeling.

I'm fuming

Replaces the phrase with a more colourful idiom.

FAQs

What does "I am cross" mean?

The phrase "I am cross" means that you are feeling angry or annoyed. It's a slightly old-fashioned way to express displeasure, particularly common in British English.

What can I say instead of "I am cross"?

You can use alternatives like "I am angry", "I am annoyed", or "I am upset" depending on the context.

Is "I am cross" formal or informal?

"I am cross" is generally considered to be neutral in formality. While not overly formal, it's also not extremely casual. Its perceived formality often depends on the regional dialect and context in which it's used.

How do I use "I am cross" in a sentence?

You can use "I am cross" in a sentence to express your feelings about a situation. For example, "I am cross that you didn't tell me about the meeting" or "I am cross with you for breaking my vase".