I was cross

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I was cross" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you were angry, frustrated, or irritated. Example: I was cross with myself for not double-checking the details before submitting the report.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I was cross".

The Guardian - Sport

I was cross and uninterested in everything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Of course I was cross with myself," she concedes.

The Guardian

"I was cross rather than aroused by the chief's remarks," he wrote, in "Long Walk to Freedom," his autobiography, "dismissing his words as the abusive comments of an ignorant man who was unable to appreciate the value of the education and benefits that the white man had brought to our country".

The New Yorker

Hence why I was cross with the office wag - he was lightly mocking me for an object that had quickly become important in my psychic landscape because it was already a gateway to experiences and people that embedded in my life and lifestyle as important.

The Guardian - Tech

I was cross then, not because Jeremy Corbyn had been elected but because the woman thing made me feel as if I'd turned up at my own house to find the locks had been changed and all my stuff was on the drive outside.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

To assess the potential impact on infection propagation between farms, T R ¯ i was cross-classified with a measure of between-farm association frequency, informed by the Poultry Network Database (PND).

Epidemics

(And who I was cross-catfishing).

The Guardian - Books

"I was cross-checking," he said, "and I noticed this".

The New Yorker

"I was cross-examined for two days, I found it very overwhelming and exhausting.

The Guardian

I was cross-eyed from exhaustion, yet I could not imagine mothering a hospitalized baby any other way.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "I was cross" with a prepositional phrase explaining the reason for your anger, such as "I was cross with him for being late."

Common error

Avoid using "I was cross" when you mean "I was crossing" (e.g., a street). The similar sound can lead to confusion, so be mindful of the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was cross" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past state of emotion. It combines a subject pronoun ("I"), a past tense verb ("was"), and an adjective ("cross") to indicate a feeling of anger or annoyance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was cross" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a past feeling of anger or annoyance. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is usable and correct. While more common in British English, its usage in news and media suggests a general understanding across different English-speaking audiences. Consider the audience and context when using this phrase, especially if communicating with those primarily familiar with American English. Remember that it is better to explain the reason behind the emotion using the appropriate preposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was angry

Direct synonym, replacing 'cross' with 'angry' to denote a feeling of displeasure.

I was annoyed

Replaces "cross" with "annoyed," indicating a state of mild irritation.

I was irritated

Uses "irritated" instead of "cross" to express a feeling of impatience or annoyance.

I felt resentful

Conveys a deeper sense of displeasure and bitterness than "cross."

I was displeased

Formal alternative, indicating dissatisfaction with something.

I was frustrated

Expresses a feeling of being blocked or prevented from achieving something.

I was indignant

Implies anger or annoyance at perceived unfair treatment.

I was irate

Signals a higher level of anger and fury compared to "cross."

I was fuming

Suggests intense, barely controlled anger.

I was incensed

Expresses a state of extreme anger or outrage.

FAQs

What does "I was cross" mean?

"I was cross" means that the speaker was feeling angry, annoyed, or irritated. It's a common expression to describe a state of displeasure.

What's a good alternative to "I was cross"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I was angry", "I was annoyed", or "I was irritated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "I was cross" more common in British or American English?

"I was cross" is more frequently used in British English. American English speakers are more likely to say "I was angry" or "I was annoyed."

How can I use "I was cross" in a sentence?

You can use "I was cross" to describe your feelings after a specific event. For example: "I was cross when I found out they had eaten my lunch."