become impatient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become impatient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is starting to feel restless or annoyed due to a delay or lack of progress. Example: "As the meeting dragged on without any resolution, many attendees began to become impatient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You become impatient.

The New York Times - Arts

"We have become impatient".

The New York Times - Tech

Even doctors become impatient with it all.

The New York Times - Health

The crowd of Hutus murmur and become impatient.

The New Yorker

She waits until her uncle and aunt become impatient.

The New York Times

Passengers on insanely overcrowded buses don't become impatient.

The New York Times

They become impatient when the gains are small.

The New York Times - Health

Both France and Russia have become impatient with the sanctions.

The New York Times

Once the team sees them struggling, they become impatient and start trading them.

The New York Times

The port director, Gen. Gamal Abdel Maqsoud, said he had become impatient with all the maneuvering.

The New York Times

The Internet is partly what caused people to become impatient with the Sydney Games.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "become impatient" with descriptive adjectives to add depth, for example: "become increasingly impatient", "become visibly impatient", "become understandably impatient".

Common error

Avoid using "become impatient" as a generic placeholder for frustration. Instead, provide specific details about the cause of the impatience. Vague uses weaken your writing. For instance, instead of saying "The audience became impatient", specify what caused their impatience: "The audience became impatient with the speaker's rambling anecdotes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become impatient" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state, specifically the transition into a state of impatience. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing reactions to delays, unmet expectations, or frustrating situations. It often acts as the predicate of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become impatient" is a grammatically sound and very common verb phrase used to describe a gradual increase in frustration or restlessness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is generally considered correct for usage in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media, as well as science-related contexts. When using the phrase, consider the nuance you want to convey, and avoid overuse by providing specific details about the cause of impatience. Alternatives like "grow restless" or "lose patience" can add variety to your writing. This guide provides practical insights and addresses common questions to help you use "become impatient" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow restless

Emphasizes the increasing lack of peace or rest, suggesting a more internal experience of impatience.

lose patience

Focuses on the depletion of one's ability to tolerate delays or frustrations.

get antsy

Informal term indicating fidgety or restless behavior due to impatience.

grow weary

Highlights the fatigue and frustration associated with waiting or prolonged effort.

start fidgeting

Describes the physical manifestation of restlessness caused by impatience.

bristle with impatience

Highlights the outward display of irritation, implying a readiness to react negatively.

chafe at the delay

Implies a more active frustration, mentally rubbing against the hindrance causing impatience.

reach the end of your tether

Indicates reaching the limit of one's endurance or tolerance.

feel the pressure mounting

Describes the subjective sensation of increasing stress and discomfort due to a delay.

be at the breaking point

Suggests reaching the limit of one's ability to cope, potentially leading to a breakdown.

FAQs

How can I use "become impatient" in a sentence?

You can use "become impatient" to describe a gradual increase in frustration or restlessness due to delays or unmet expectations. For example, "As the negotiations dragged on, the investors began to "become impatient"."

What are some alternatives to saying "become impatient"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "grow restless", "lose patience", or "get antsy".

Is it better to say "became impatient" or "got impatient"?

Both "became impatient" and "got impatient" are grammatically correct, but "became impatient" often suggests a more gradual process, while "got impatient" can imply a more sudden onset of impatience.

What is the difference between "become impatient" and "show impatience"?

"Become impatient" describes the internal feeling of impatience, while "show impatience" describes the outward expression of that feeling. You can "become impatient" without necessarily "show impatience".