exercise in patience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'exercise in patience' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase when referring to a situation that requires patience or when someone needs to demonstrate patience. For example: "Waiting in line at the grocery store has become an exercise in patience lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

It's been an exercise in patience.

The New York Times

This, too, was an exercise in patience.

The Washington Post

Another exercise in patience: it was a little gusty the day I took these.

Stanford University

Browsing the Internet on a cellphone can be an exercise in patience.

The New York Times - Tech

But aiming a show for Broadway is an exercise in patience not precision.

The New York Times

A woman in her 60s from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, called it "an exercise in patience".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

7. The frustration, exercises in patience and setbacks are totally worth it.

Huffington Post

Watching my little brain tumor grow slowly over the past 10 years has been an extraordinary exercise in courage, patience, gratitude and faith.

The Washington Post

As I kept reading, a realisation dawned: the non-excitingness of Boice's book – from its title to his step-by-step advice, which you're meant to implement gradually, over months – is itself an exercise in cultivating patience.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's an exercise in unyielding patience: when the first point between two (defensively minded) players in the 1936 World Championship lasted two hours and 12 minutes, the umpire had to be replaced midpoint, one player started playing with his left hand, and the rules had to be re-evaluated on the spot to prevent matches that could go on for 16 days.

The New York Times

Raising capital for companies is an exercise in endurance, patience and unfortunately some gamesmanship.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a long or tedious process, using "exercise in patience" can add a touch of sophistication and accurately convey the need for perseverance.

Common error

While "exercise in patience" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively. Variety your language by opting for synonyms like "test of endurance" or "need for perseverance" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise in patience" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, making it a reliable choice for formal and informal writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exercise in patience" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations demanding a significant degree of patience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. While alternatives exist, such as "test of patience" or "need for patience", the key is to employ the phrase judiciously to avoid overusing it. Remember that mastering any skill requires not only knowledge but also careful application and a touch of linguistic flair.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

test of patience

Focuses on the challenging aspect of needing patience.

lesson in patience

Implies learning or improving one's patience through an experience.

matter of patience

Highlights that patience is the key element in a situation.

need for patience

Emphasizes the necessity of being patient.

act of patience

Focuses on a specific instance where patience is demonstrated.

study in patience

Suggests a situation provides deep insights into the nature of patience.

trial of patience

Indicates a difficult situation that severely tests one's patience.

demonstration of patience

Highlights the outward display of patient behavior.

demand for patience

Indicates that patience is explicitly required.

triumph of patience

Suggests that patience ultimately leads to success or a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "exercise in patience" in a sentence?

You can use "exercise in patience" to describe a situation that requires a significant amount of patience. For example: "Dealing with customer complaints is often an "exercise in patience"."

What are some alternatives to "exercise in patience"?

Alternatives include "test of patience", "trial of patience", or simply saying something "requires a lot of patience".

Is it better to say "exercise of patience" or "exercise in patience"?

"Exercise in patience" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Exercise of patience" is grammatically correct, but less frequently used.

What does it mean when something is described as an "exercise in patience"?

It means that the activity or situation requires a significant amount of patience due to its difficulty, length, or frustrating nature. It implies that one's patience will be tested.