aggravates me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aggravates me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing annoyance or irritation caused by someone or something. Example: "The constant noise from the construction site really aggravates me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"That aggravates me.

The New York Times

"It aggravates me to have to discuss it".

The New York Times - Sports

"If someone aggravates me, I'm going to go after them.

The New York Times

It's a stupid issue because people are trying to create something that doesn't exist, and that's what aggravates me.

The New York Times - Sports

It always aggravates me that as soon as issues like the ones mentioned above surface, the first thing legislators do is turn to advertising.

The Guardian

"It really aggravates me that the media is using their power to intrude and invade our privacy, often with no good reason," said Mehreen Kasana, a 22-year-old American-educated blogger from Lahore, who wrote a widely circulated protest against the Samaa TV show.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This would aggravate me if I were a judge.

The Economist

Then Mr. Brown said: "It was aggravating me at first.

The New York Times

"Free riders aggravate me," he told the Atlantic this year.

The New Yorker

Does it aggravate me when I see people walk away and escape justice?

The New Yorker

"In fact, I heard that this morning, and it aggravated me all over again".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aggravates me" to express personal annoyance or irritation, particularly when something consistently bothers you. It's suitable for expressing subjective feelings in both spoken and written contexts.

Common error

While "aggravates me" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral or sophisticated alternatives like "concerns me" or "presents a challenge" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aggravates me" functions as an expression of personal feeling, specifically to indicate that something is causing annoyance or irritation. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable for expressing annoyance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aggravates me" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey annoyance or irritation. While not overly formal, it's suitable for general use, particularly in news and media contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig, you can also use alternatives such as "annoys me" or "irritates me". While Ludwig AI confirms the expression is appropriate, remember to adjust your word choice to fit the level of formality required by the context. Overusing it may be seen as repetitive, particularly in formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoys me

A simpler and more direct way of expressing that something is causing annoyance.

irritates me

Similar in meaning to "aggravates me", but perhaps a slightly milder expression of annoyance.

bothers me

A general term for something that causes concern or annoyance.

gets on my nerves

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is causing considerable annoyance.

frustrates me

Indicates a feeling of being upset or annoyed due to an inability to change or achieve something.

vexes me

A more formal and less common way to say that something is causing annoyance or worry.

riles me up

Suggests a more intense level of irritation, almost to the point of anger.

is a pet peeve of mine

Refers to something that particularly annoys someone.

makes me cross

A somewhat old-fashioned way of saying that something makes you angry or annoyed.

puts my back up

Indicates that something makes you feel defensive and resistant.

FAQs

What does "aggravates me" mean?

The phrase "aggravates me" means something is causing you annoyance, irritation, or displeasure. It's a way of expressing that something is bothersome or is making you feel uncomfortable.

What can I say instead of "aggravates me"?

You can use alternatives like "annoys me", "irritates me", or "bothers me" depending on the context.

Is "aggravates me" too informal?

While "aggravates me" isn't extremely formal, it's generally acceptable in most contexts, including news media. However, in highly formal or professional settings, you might prefer phrases like "it concerns me" or "it presents a challenge".

How do I use "aggravates me" in a sentence?

You can use "aggravates me" to express your personal feelings of annoyance or irritation about a specific thing. For example: "The constant noise really "aggravates me"" or "It "aggravates me" when people are late."