I was exasperated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was exasperated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of intense irritation or frustration about a situation or someone's actions. Example: "After waiting for an hour with no updates, I was exasperated by the lack of communication from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"What do you mean?" I was exasperated.

The New York Times

I was exasperated by this rubbish.

The New Yorker

"I was exasperated with him all the time.

The New York Times - Magazine

As time went on I was exasperated with my struggles on the plate and went down to 'rookie', and promptly started knocking balls out of the park.

Independent

"I don't know," she said, her bored tone suggesting that she was as untroubled by her ignorance as I was exasperated with it.

The New York Times - Food

I was exasperated to see each group placing all the planets in a perfect line, with their radii so huge they practically touched despite my cautionary notes on orbital positions and the planets' true sizes.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Absolutely I'm exasperated.

The New York Times

"I'm exasperated because the situation changes every day," he said.

The New York Times

I am exasperated by experts who pontificate about what makes women happy.

The New York Times

"I'm exasperated by this situation," Ms. Weingarten said of the incident at the school.

The New York Times

I often dwell on such points myself; I'm exasperated when fallacies are blatant, and feel vindicated when I'm able to point them out.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was exasperated", ensure the context clearly explains the reason for your frustration to provide a complete picture for the reader. For instance, follow with 'by the constant delays' or 'by his lack of understanding'.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "I was exasperated" as it can sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "Frustration grew when..." or "The situation left me feeling..." to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was exasperated" functions as a statement expressing a feeling of intense irritation or frustration. It typically acts as the main clause in a sentence, conveying the speaker's emotional state as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was exasperated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey feelings of intense irritation or frustration. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is to express a personal emotional state, often in response to a specific situation. It's considered neutral in register, suitable for various contexts, and appears predominantly in news media and academic writing. Remember to provide sufficient context and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I grew frustrated

This suggests a gradual build-up of frustration, rather than an immediate feeling of exasperation.

I became irritated

Similar to "annoyed", but may imply a slightly stronger emotional response.

I felt annoyed

This alternative conveys a milder sense of irritation compared to "exasperated".

I was fed up

This expresses a state of being tired and discontented with a situation.

I lost my patience

This indicates a limit has been reached, suggesting that the speaker's tolerance has been tested.

I was irritated beyond measure

This expresses more emphasis than "I was exasperated".

I was at my wit's end

This phrase conveys a sense of being overwhelmed and unable to cope with a situation.

I could not bear it anymore

This phrase indicates a strong sense of emotional strain and the inability to endure a situation any longer.

I was deeply displeased

This phrase offers a more formal and understated expression of dissatisfaction.

I was sorely vexed

This uses a less common, more formal word ("vexed") to convey annoyance.

FAQs

What does "I was exasperated" mean?

The phrase "I was exasperated" means that you felt extremely annoyed, frustrated, and irritated, often to the point where you struggled to maintain patience or composure.

What can I say instead of "I was exasperated"?

You can use alternatives like "I was frustrated", "I felt annoyed", or "I lost my patience" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was exasperated"?

Yes, "I was exasperated" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" with the past participle of "exasperate" to describe a feeling you experienced.

How can I effectively use "I was exasperated" in a sentence?

Use "I was exasperated" when you want to express a high level of annoyance or frustration caused by something specific. For example: "I was exasperated by the constant interruptions during the meeting."