drove me crazy

USAGE SUMMARY

"drove me crazy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is very irritating, annoying, or maddening. For example, "Her constant complaining drove me crazy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It drove me crazy".

The New York Times

"They drove me crazy," he said.

The New Yorker

He says: "They drove me crazy.

The Guardian - Tech

"It drove me crazy," he told me.

The New Yorker

He just about drove me crazy.

The Guardian - Books

Things like that drove me crazy.

The New York Times

"It drove me crazy," Mr. Kross said.

The New York Times - Tech

But it also drove me crazy.

The Guardian - Film

It drove me crazy at first.

The New York Times

"He drove me crazy," Mr. O'Reilly said.

The New York Times

"It drove me crazy," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drove me crazy" to express strong feelings of annoyance or frustration caused by a specific person, situation, or thing. It's suitable for informal to neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "drove me crazy" with abstract nouns that don't directly cause annoyance. Instead of saying "The concept drove me crazy", which is grammatically correct, clarify what aspect of the concept caused the frustration: "Trying to understand the complex concept drove me crazy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drove me crazy" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a state of extreme annoyance, frustration, or exasperation caused by someone or something. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, from personal relationships to professional situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drove me crazy" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase for expressing strong annoyance or frustration. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate in neutral to informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal or professional settings, opting for more restrained language instead. Common errors include misusing it with abstract nouns without specifying the source of frustration. Consider alternatives like "made me lose my mind" or "drove me up the wall" for variety, but ensure they fit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drove me up the wall

An idiomatic expression similar in meaning but more colorful.

sent me round the bend

British idiom, conveying a similar sense of mental agitation.

pushed me to the edge

Suggests reaching a limit of tolerance or patience.

made me lose my mind

More informal and emphasizes a loss of control due to frustration.

irritated me beyond belief

Emphasizes the extent of the irritation.

exasperated me

A more formal way to express intense irritation.

annoyed me intensely

Focuses on the feeling of annoyance, but with a stronger emphasis.

made me furious

Focuses on the feeling of anger as a result.

infuriated me

A more formal and direct way of saying someone or something caused extreme anger.

tried my patience

Highlights the testing of one's ability to remain patient.

FAQs

What does "drove me crazy" mean?

The phrase "drove me crazy" means something or someone caused you to feel extremely annoyed, frustrated, or exasperated.

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

You can use alternatives like "made me lose my mind", "pushed me to the edge", or "drove me up the wall" depending on the context.

Is "drove me crazy" grammatically correct?

Yes, "drove me crazy" is grammatically correct and a commonly used expression in English.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "drove me crazy"?

The phrase "drove me crazy" is appropriate in informal to neutral contexts when expressing strong annoyance or frustration. It may not be suitable for very formal or professional settings where more restrained language is preferred, or you could use "exasperated me".