a bit impatient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit impatient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is slightly or moderately lacking patience in a given situation. Example: "I was a bit impatient while waiting for the bus to arrive, as it was running late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"The people on the Continent are getting a bit impatient.

The New York Times

Mr. Bloomberg appears a bit impatient but is sitting very still and answering quietly.

The New York Times

All the traveling had made Ms. Josiah's daughters a bit impatient.

The New York Times

In other moods, it can make me feel a bit impatient.

The New Yorker

I thought we dominated but at times we got a bit impatient near the line.

The Guardian - Sport

"The worst you can say about him was, a bit impatient at times".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But I do know that I'm a little bit nosey, a big bit impatient and, after a childhood spent with my head buried in books, overwhelmingly a dreamer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Garcia, who acknowledged being "a little bit impatient" as a citizen with the pace of snow removal, is replacing a fixture of the department in Mr. Doherty, who worked his way up from trash collector, where he started in 1960.

The New York Times

But when you get a context for how certain types of responses may be related to what's gone on in your family system, your tendency to be a little bit impatient or a little bit terse might have been something that you just picked up at the pre-verbal level from watching your caregivers operate.

Harvard Business Review

Ms. Wu, an organizational goddess who is a little bit impatient and remembers every last task and itinerary, held a high, if loving, standard.

The New York Times

"She would go and sit with a lady who might be a little bit impatient," Adolfo says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit impatient" to convey a moderate level of impatience, avoiding stronger terms if the situation doesn't warrant them. This softens the tone and avoids sounding overly critical.

Common error

While "a bit impatient" is acceptable, it might sound too casual in formal writing. Consider more professional alternatives like "somewhat concerned" or "slightly eager" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit impatient" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the extent to which someone is experiencing impatience, indicating a mild or moderate level. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit impatient" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe a mild or moderate level of impatience. As shown by Ludwig, this expression appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its suitability for general communication. While it's versatile, remember that more formal alternatives might be better suited for certain academic or professional contexts. Remember that using alternatives such as "slightly restless" or "somewhat eager" can refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly restless

Focuses on the restlessness aspect of being "a bit impatient".

growing restless

Focuses on the increasing feeling of restlessness.

somewhat eager

Emphasizes eagerness as a driver of impatience.

slightly edgy

Focuses on the anxious aspect of being "a bit impatient".

a little antsy

Uses a more informal term to describe a fidgety kind of impatience.

somewhat hurried

Highlights the desire to speed things up, reflecting impatience.

mildly exasperated

Highlights the frustration component of impatience.

becoming edgy

Suggests a developing state of nervous impatience.

fairly brusque

Emphasizes a tendency to be curt or abrupt due to impatience.

rather testy

Implies a short-tempered reaction caused by impatience.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a bit impatient"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly restless", "somewhat eager", or "a little antsy" depending on the context.

How do I use "a bit impatient" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit impatient" to describe someone's moderate lack of patience, such as, "She grew a bit impatient waiting for the delayed flight to board".

Is "a bit impatient" formal or informal?

"A bit impatient" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most contexts, although it might be perceived as slightly informal in very formal settings. In such cases, consider using "somewhat impatient" or "slightly eager".

What's the difference between "a bit impatient" and "very impatient"?

"A bit impatient" suggests a mild level of impatience, while "very impatient" implies a strong degree of impatience. The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.