driving me crazy

USAGE SUMMARY

"driving me crazy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase, which is often used to talk about feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. For example, "The amount of paperwork I have to do is driving me crazy!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's driving me crazy".

The New Yorker

"They are driving me crazy.

The New York Times

They're all driving me crazy!

The New Yorker

Hegel was driving me crazy".

The New Yorker

"It's been driving me crazy.

The New York Times

"It was driving me crazy".

The New York Times

"This dog is driving me crazy.

The New Yorker

"It was driving me crazy," Lindsey says.

The New Yorker

It's mewing and driving me crazy.

The New York Times

"She's driving me crazy," he said.

The New York Times

"Dad is driving me crazy," Keggie writes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driving me crazy" to express strong feelings of annoyance, frustration, or being overwhelmed by a situation or person. Ensure the context makes it clear what is causing this feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "driving me crazy" in situations that only warrant mild irritation. The phrase implies a high degree of frustration, so reserve it for truly exasperating scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driving me crazy" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and widely usable, serving to express strong feelings of frustration, annoyance, or being overwhelmed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driving me crazy" is a common and correct idiomatic phrase used to express significant frustration or annoyance. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for informal and neutral contexts, especially in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding overstatement in situations that only warrant mild irritation. Consider alternatives like "driving me nuts" or "driving me up the wall" to vary your expression. When aiming for a formal tone, opt for more professional alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driving me up the wall

This alternative suggests a similar level of frustration, emphasizing a feeling of confinement or restriction.

driving me nuts

This phrase is a more informal way of expressing that something is causing significant annoyance or frustration.

making me lose my mind

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of losing control or mental stability due to the frustrating situation.

pushing me to the edge

This phrase suggests that the situation is bringing someone close to their breaking point.

testing my patience

This alternative focuses on the feeling of having one's patience challenged to its limit.

getting on my nerves

This phrase indicates that something is causing irritation or annoyance.

making me frantic

This alternative highlights the feeling of becoming panicked or anxious due to the situation.

infuriating me

This phrase conveys a strong sense of anger and frustration.

exasperating me

This alternative suggests that something is causing extreme annoyance and impatience.

agitating me

This phrase indicates that something is making someone feel nervous or restless.

FAQs

How can I use "driving me crazy" in a sentence?

You can use "driving me crazy" to express that something or someone is causing you extreme frustration or annoyance. For example, "The constant noise is driving me crazy".

What can I say instead of "driving me crazy"?

You can use alternatives like "driving me nuts", "driving me up the wall", or "making me lose my mind" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "driving me crazy" in formal writing?

While "driving me crazy" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives that convey similar frustration but with a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "driving me crazy" and "making me angry"?

"Driving me crazy" implies a sense of being overwhelmed or intensely annoyed, often to the point of distraction. "Making me angry" is a more direct expression of feeling anger. "Driving me crazy" suggests a loss of composure, while "making me angry" may not.