are impatient with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are impatient with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express frustration or annoyance towards someone or something. Example: "The team is becoming increasingly impatient with the delays in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are impatient with stuffy conventions.

The Economist

They are impatient with discord.

The New York Times

It's clear sometimes conductors are impatient with the passengers.

The New York Times

"They are impatient with the small and the short term.

The New York Times

Also like G.E., 3M executives are impatient with bureaucracy.

The New York Times

Retailers are impatient with what they see as unjustifiable differences between essentially similar products.

The Economist

The German, Dutch and Finnish finance ministers are impatient with Greece's poor record of reform.

The Economist

Customers are impatient with banks that take three or four days to clear a payment.

The Economist

"There are too many people who love computers and too few who are impatient with them".

The Economist

Those who despair or are impatient with public education -- and who is not?

The New York Times

But the F.T.C.'s leaders have indicated they are impatient with self-regulation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are impatient with", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the impatience. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "are impatient with" when a milder expression of concern or interest is more appropriate. Overusing it can make you sound overly critical or demanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are impatient with" functions as a subject complement, describing the subject's state of mind or attitude towards something. Ludwig AI examples show it's used to express dissatisfaction with a process, a situation, or another person's actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are impatient with" is a common and grammatically sound way to express frustration or a lack of tolerance for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to convey discontent with delays or inefficiencies. When using this phrase, it's best to provide context to clarify the cause of the impatience and avoid overuse to maintain a balanced tone. Alternatives like "are frustrated with" or "are annoyed with" can offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have no patience for

Directly states the absence of patience.

are frustrated with

Focuses more on the feeling of frustration rather than just impatience.

are annoyed with

Emphasizes a feeling of irritation caused by something.

are tired of

Indicates a state of weariness and dissatisfaction.

are fed up with

A stronger expression of being disgusted and unwilling to tolerate something.

are chafing at

Implies being restricted or annoyed by something, leading to impatience.

are intolerant of

Highlights a lack of acceptance towards something.

are restless with

Suggests a state of unease and inability to remain still or quiet, often due to impatience.

are eager for

Focuses on wanting something to happen quickly, implying impatience.

can't stand

Expresses a strong dislike and intolerance for something.

FAQs

How can I use "are impatient with" in a sentence?

You can use "are impatient with" to express frustration or a lack of tolerance for something. For example, "Customers "are impatient with" long wait times."

What are some alternatives to saying "are impatient with"?

Alternatives include "are frustrated with", "are annoyed with", or "are tired of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "are impatient at" instead of "are impatient with"?

While "impatient" can be followed by other prepositions, "with" is the most common and generally preferred usage when expressing impatience towards a situation or thing. "At" might be used in different contexts, but less common.

What's the difference between "are impatient with" and "are eager for"?

"Are impatient with" expresses frustration about something not happening fast enough, while "are eager for" expresses excitement and anticipation for something to happen. The former is negative, and the latter is positive.