I was frustrated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was frustrated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of annoyance or disappointment about a situation that occurred in the past. Example: "After waiting for an hour for the meeting to start, I was frustrated with the lack of communication from the organizers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was frustrated with myself, and I was frustrated I wasn't making progress.

The New York Times

Yes, I was frustrated.

Independent

I was frustrated.

The New York Times

I was frustrated by it.

The New York Times

"I was frustrated," he recalls.

The Guardian - Music

"I was frustrated," Chastain recalls.

The Guardian - Film

I was frustrated at that".

The Guardian - Sport

"I was frustrated," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

I was frustrated with that".

The Guardian - Sport

"I was frustrated," Ellis said recently.

The New York Times - Sports

I was frustrated with my Facebook advertising.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was frustrated", consider adding a specific reason or context to provide clarity. For example, "I was frustrated because the meeting was delayed".

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive constructions when expressing frustration. Instead of "I was frustrated by the decision", try "The decision frustrated me" to create a stronger and more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was frustrated" serves as a declarative statement expressing a past emotional state. It communicates the speaker's feeling of frustration at a specific point in time. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was frustrated" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a feeling of annoyance or disappointment about a past situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As evidenced by the numerous examples, this phrase frequently appears in news and media, as well as in scientific and business contexts. When using "I was frustrated", consider adding context to clarify the reason for your frustration. Alternatives like "I felt annoyed" or "I was disappointed" can provide different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt frustrated

Replaces the verb "was" with "felt", emphasizing the subjective experience of frustration.

I became frustrated

Shifts the focus to the process of becoming frustrated, suggesting a gradual build-up of frustration.

I grew frustrated

Similar to "I became frustrated", indicating a gradual increase in frustration over time.

I was annoyed

Substitutes "frustrated" with "annoyed", offering a milder expression of irritation.

I was irritated

Similar to "I was annoyed", conveying a feeling of slight anger or impatience.

I was disappointed

Focuses on the feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction resulting from unmet expectations.

I felt thwarted

Indicates a sense of being blocked or prevented from achieving a goal, leading to frustration.

I was exasperated

Suggests a state of extreme frustration and impatience, often due to repeated annoyances.

I was fed up

Expresses a feeling of being tired of a situation and wanting it to change, implying frustration.

I was aggravated

Similar to "I was annoyed", but can imply a stronger sense of irritation and anger.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "I felt annoyed", "I was irritated", or "I was disappointed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "I was frustrated" in a sentence?

You can use "I was frustrated" to express a feeling of annoyance or disappointment about something that happened in the past. For example, "I was frustrated with the slow internet speed" or "I was frustrated that I couldn't solve the problem".

What's the difference between "I was frustrated" and "I am frustrated"?

"I was frustrated" refers to a feeling you had in the past, while "I am frustrated" refers to a feeling you have in the present. For instance, "I was frustrated yesterday" versus "I am frustrated right now".

Is it correct to say "I was frustrated at" or "I was frustrated with"?

Both "I was frustrated at" and "I was frustrated with" are acceptable, but "I was frustrated with" is generally more common. The choice often depends on the specific object of your frustration. You can also use "I was frustrated by" to specify what caused your frustration.