be rather irritated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be rather irritated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a moderate level of annoyance or displeasure in a situation. Example: "After waiting for an hour, I began to be rather irritated with the lack of communication from the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was about to wonder if Brooks, in return, might have been rather irritated when he read the review.

The New York Times - Books

It would be a very colourless, hungry and and rather irritated world if bees continued to decline while dull-but-hardy bed bugs thrive.

BBC

In certain circumstances, the bride might get rather irritated if too much attention is lavished on the Maid of Honour.

Independent

You're likely, in other words, to end up with the kind of attention you deserve: fleeting, unintentional, and probably rather irritated.

BBC

At weekends I get the Sunday Express, having grown rather irritated with the Sunday Times.

The Guardian

Thankfully he was chuffed rather than irritated.

The Guardian

So Nout Wellink, governor of the Dutch central bank, should have been grateful rather than irritated when the Children's Investment Fund (TCI), a London-based hedge fund, offered a bit of timely prompting to ABN AMRO, a big Dutch bank, in which it holds a 1% stake.

The Economist

This way the skin is protected, rather than irritated as it gets better".

Huffington Post

Otherwise, you are likely to be mystified, irritated and bored.

The New York Times

German officials were said to be "very irritated" with Macron.

The Guardian

To be ashamed is to be burdened, irritated, resentful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be rather irritated" to express mild to moderate annoyance in formal or neutral contexts. It's more nuanced than simply saying "be irritated".

Common error

Avoid using "rather" with extremely strong emotions. Saying "be rather furious" might sound understated or sarcastic. Choose a more direct adjective like "be furious" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be rather irritated" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a linking verb ("be") followed by an adverb ("rather") modifying an adjective ("irritated"). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be rather irritated" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, employed to convey a moderate level of annoyance or displeasure. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical soundness. While examples are limited in the provided data, the phrase serves to express an emotion milder than strong anger but more pronounced than simple indifference. Alternative phrases, such as "be slightly annoyed" or "be a little frustrated", offer similar shades of meaning, allowing for nuanced communication. When writing, it's best to reserve "be rather irritated" for situations where a more subdued expression of annoyance is desired, avoiding its use with stronger emotions that would warrant more direct language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a tad irritated

Substitutes "rather" with "a tad" for a slightly less formal tone.

be slightly annoyed

Indicates a milder form of irritation.

be quite bothered

Emphasizes the feeling of being disturbed or inconvenienced.

be slightly aggravated

Highlights the worsening or intensifying aspect of irritation.

be somewhat displeased

Conveys a more formal and subdued sense of irritation.

feel a mild annoyance

Rephrases the feeling as a noun, focusing on the sensation of annoyance.

be a little frustrated

Focuses on the frustration aspect of being irritated.

be a bit peeved

Offers a more informal and colloquial way to express mild irritation.

be somewhat exasperated

Suggests a higher level of frustration and impatience.

be a trifle vexed

Uses a more old-fashioned and understated term for irritation.

FAQs

How can I use "be rather irritated" in a sentence?

You can use "be rather irritated" to express a moderate level of annoyance. For example, "I began to "be rather irritated" by the constant delays".

What's the difference between "be irritated" and "be rather irritated"?

"Be irritated" expresses a general feeling of annoyance, while ""be rather irritated"" implies a milder, more controlled level of annoyance. The addition of "rather" softens the intensity.

Which is more formal, "be annoyed" or "be rather irritated"?

"Be rather irritated" tends to be slightly more formal and nuanced compared to the more direct and general "be annoyed".

What are some synonyms for "be rather irritated"?

Some synonyms include "be slightly annoyed", "be somewhat displeased", or "be a little frustrated", depending on the specific context and level of emotion you want to convey.