a nuisance of itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a nuisance of itself" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used when discussing something that is inherently bothersome or problematic on its own. Example: "The constant noise from the construction site is a nuisance of itself, making it hard to concentrate."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But in the confines of a garden, this one makes a nuisance of itself.

The New York Times

Instead, the protest movement has overreached by making a nuisance of itself and created an almighty backlash.

The New York Times

It makes a nuisance of itself – like other freeholders – demanding fees for subletting and consents for patios and conservatories.

The Guardian - Money

Meanwhile, China's antitrust arm in the Ministry of Commerce is starting to make a nuisance of itself, not least by taking ages to make its mind up.

The Economist

For the time being, Russia can continue to make a nuisance of itself: through arms sales; by destabilising its weaker neighbours; and with its veto at the United Nations.

The Economist

From your home screen, you can tell Xbox One to load up a game or to find your favourite TV show, or you can say "Xbox Mute" if it's making a nuisance of itself.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thomas made a nuisance of himself that morning.

The New York Times

He intended "to make a nuisance of himself".

The Times

Kohlschreiber was threatening to make a nuisance of himself again.

The Guardian - Sport

He was everywhere, passing and flicking and shooting and making a nuisance of himself," Owen added.

Independent

He tends to assume a free role, making a nuisance of himself all over the place.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a nuisance of itself", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is inherently problematic or bothersome on its own, without external factors influencing its troublesome nature. Consider whether alternatives like "a nuisance in itself" or "an annoyance on its own" might offer clearer phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "a nuisance of itself" when the problem stems from external factors or interactions. This phrase implies inherent troublemaking, so ensure the subject is independently bothersome. If external factors contribute, rephrase to clarify the source of the nuisance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a nuisance of itself" functions as a nominal phrase, acting as a subject complement or appositive, describing something inherently problematic. Ludwig's analysis suggests that this usage deviates from standard phrasing but is still acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a nuisance of itself" is used to describe something inherently problematic, though Ludwig AI indicates it is not standard English. It appears primarily in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While understandable, alternatives like "a nuisance in itself" or "an annoyance on its own" may provide greater clarity. Despite its appearance in reputable sources, the phrase's unusual structure means its grammatical correctness is debated, influencing its expert rating. Therefore, use it cautiously, ensuring the context emphasizes the self-contained nature of the problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bother in itself

Changes the noun "nuisance" to "bother" and uses "in itself" for emphasis, altering the phrasing while keeping the core meaning.

an annoyance on its own

Replaces "nuisance" with "annoyance" and uses "on its own" to convey the independent nature of the problem.

a problem in its own right

Emphasizes the problematic aspect, shifting from a mere inconvenience to a significant issue.

troublesome by nature

Focuses on the inherent quality of being troublesome, altering the structure to an adjectival phrase.

intrinsically problematic

Uses an adverb and adjective to highlight the inherent problem, making it more formal.

inherently bothersome

Similar to "intrinsically problematic" but uses different vocabulary.

a source of independent irritation

Highlights the irritating aspect, phrasing it as an independent source of annoyance.

a self-contained source of trouble

Emphasizes the self-contained nature of the trouble.

an independent source of difficulty

Focuses on the difficulty it presents and its independent nature.

a self-generating problem

Highlights the self-generating aspect of the problem.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a nuisance of itself" for clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "a bother in itself", "an annoyance on its own", or "a problem in its own right" depending on the intended emphasis.

Is "a nuisance of itself" grammatically correct?

While used in some publications, the phrase "a nuisance of itself" deviates from standard English phrasing. Ludwig AI marks it as acceptable, but using alternatives can improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

When is it appropriate to use "a nuisance of itself"?

Use "a nuisance of itself" when you want to emphasize that something is inherently problematic or troublesome without external factors contributing to the issue. Ensure that the subject is independently bothersome.

What's the difference between "a nuisance of itself" and "a nuisance in itself"?

"A nuisance of itself" emphasizes the inherent troublemaking nature, whereas "a nuisance in itself" simply states that something is a nuisance. The latter is generally clearer and more grammatically standard.