frustrating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'frustrating' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe any situation or experience that causes feelings of difficulties, disappointments, and annoyance. For example: The long wait at the DMV was so frustrating.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it's frustrating for him to see Michael Bradley's Toronto experience consolidating rather than threatening his USA place, or indeed Julio Cesar's position as number one keeper for the presumptive World Cup favorites being equally unaffected by his MLS sojourn, Defoe will have plenty to occupy him in the coming weeks to help his side compensate for the absence of those two.

The Guardian - Sport

Hence, once the Ramones had signed to Sire Records, it was frustrating for Tommy that the label assigned Leon to produce their first album, but, as he recalled, "by the end of the session I managed to get a little bit of control".

The Guardian - Music

I found this stress on an absent work frustrating, to say the least.

The Guardian - Arts

"It is frustrating to get questions that are unrelated to the job at hand, " says Kipping-Ruane, who was once asked by a potential employers if he had ever killed anyone.

The Guardian - Money

It has now been a month and dealing with Asos has been frustrating.

The Guardian - Money

In a prepared statement for the House energy and commerce committee, Sebelius, who is facing calls to step down or be fired, acknowledged the experience of healthcare.gov was "frustrating".

The Guardian

Gripping as I found it to watch the various campaigns from a distance, uninvolved and unaffiliated to any one party as I am, I also found it immensely frustrating that I couldn't get stuck in and help out where it was needed, and I missed that feeling of being a part of something big.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Institute of Cancer Research said the "frustrating delay will prevent around 450 women each year from being able to access a beneficial treatment".

The Guardian

3.10 Epsom The ground is drying out for Flintshire but he has been frustrating for a horse of his talent, winning just once in his last 10 starts.

The Guardian - Sport

"We dominated 75% of that game," said Slade, "so it is frustrating to say the least.

The Guardian - Sport

This lot are not a patch on the side of Pavel Nedved, Jan Koller, Karel Poborsky and, er, Milan Baros from 2004, but are capable of frustrating Poland.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "frustrating", be specific about the source of the frustration to provide clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "The situation was frustrating", specify "The lack of clear instructions was frustrating".

Common error

Avoid using "frustrating" as a generic descriptor. Instead of simply labeling something as "frustrating", explain what aspects of it cause frustration. This makes your writing more informative and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "frustrating" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes frustration. This is evidenced by Ludwig's examples where it describes situations, experiences, or tasks as causing annoyance or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frustrating" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that causes annoyance or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. Its frequent appearance in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts highlights its broad applicability. When using "frustrating", ensure you provide specific context to maximize clarity and impact, and avoid overuse as a generic descriptor. Consider alternatives like "annoying" or "disappointing" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoying

Focuses more on the irritation caused, rather than the hindrance.

irritating

Similar to "annoying", but can imply a more persistent source of displeasure.

aggravating

Implies a more active and intensifying form of frustration.

disappointing

Highlights the unmet expectations that lead to frustration.

disheartening

Emphasizes the loss of hope or enthusiasm.

exasperating

Suggests a state of extreme impatience and annoyance.

maddening

Implies a loss of control due to the frustration experienced.

vexing

A more formal and less common way to describe something that causes annoyance.

trying

Indicates that something is difficult to endure and tests one's patience.

challenging

Focuses on the difficulty presented, rather than the negative emotional response.

FAQs

How can I use "frustrating" in a sentence?

You can use "frustrating" to describe situations, experiences, or even people that cause annoyance or difficulty. For example, "Dealing with customer service can be very frustrating". or "It's frustrating when technology doesn't work the way it should".

What can I say instead of "frustrating"?

You can use alternatives like "annoying", "irritating", or "disappointing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am frustrating"?

While grammatically correct, "I am frustrating" suggests that you are causing frustration to others. It's more common to say "I am frustrated" to express that you are feeling frustrated.

What's the difference between "frustrating" and "frustrated"?

"Frustrating" describes something that causes frustration, while "frustrated" describes the feeling of being frustrated. For example, "The process was frustrating," while "I felt frustrated by the process".