get frustrating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'get frustrating' is correct and can be used in written English, as it is a phrase meaning to become more and more annoying and difficult to cope with.
For example, "The traffic was already heavy, but when the rush hour hit it really started to get frustrating."

✓ Grammatically correct

The Guardian - Sport

Stanford University

Vice

WikiHow

The New York Times

The New York Times - Sports

The New Yorker

The Washington Post

Forbes

HuffPost

Huffington Post

CBE Life Sciences Education

Health Research Policy and Systems

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

University of California, Berkeley

Cornell University

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The way we play we get kicked a lot and it does get frustrating.

The Guardian - Sport

While I was pregnant, many people I had to collaborate with in the hospital wouldn't get around to talking about the patient with me until I at least shared my due date and explained that it's not a boy even though I "carry it all in the front". It wasn't the end of the world enduring some overly personal small talk, but it did sometimes get frustrating.

Stanford University

Imagine repeatedly delivering peer-backed evidence to a government that has absolutely no interest in facts; it's got to get frustrating.

Vice

It might get frustrating.

WikiHow

This may get frustrating.

WikiHow

If you're not a perfectionist, this repetition might get frustrating.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I get frustrated.

The New York Times

Sometimes I get frustrated.

The New York Times - Sports

I get frustrated sometimes.

The Washington Post

"They get frustrated.

The New York Times

You get frustrated.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or situation that is gradually becoming more difficult or annoying, "get frustrating" is a suitable choice. It accurately portrays the escalation of the feeling.

Common error

In formal writing, consider using more precise vocabulary like "become irritating" or "prove vexing" instead of "get frustrating". This will improve the tone and readability of your text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get frustrating" functions as a linking verb plus an adjective. The verb "get" acts as a copula linking the subject to the adjective "frustrating", which describes a quality or state being attained. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get frustrating" is grammatically correct and used to describe something that is becoming increasingly annoying. As noted by Ludwig, it's usable in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in academic writing and general-interest content. While grammatically sound, more precise vocabulary may be preferred in formal writing, such as "become irritating" or "prove vexing". The phrase describes the escalation of an annoying situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become irritating

This alternative replaces "frustrating" with a synonym, "irritating".

turn bothersome

This alternative replaces "get frustrating" with "turn bothersome", suggesting a gradual shift to a state of annoyance.

grow tiresome

This alternative uses "grow tiresome" implying that something becomes increasingly tedious.

prove vexing

This alternative substitutes "get frustrating" with "prove vexing", indicating something demonstrates itself to be annoying or problematic.

become exasperating

This option replaces "frustrating" with "exasperating", intensifying the level of annoyance.

turn out to be annoying

This alternative clarifies that the annoying quality is revealed over time.

start to irritate

This option focuses on the beginning of the process of something becoming annoying.

begin to displease

This alternative uses 'displease' to suggest a less intense form of frustration.

morph into vexation

This alternative uses a more active and evocative form "morph into vexation", suggesting a transformation.

evolve into a hassle

This alternative reframes the situation as something becoming a 'hassle'.

FAQs

How can I use "get frustrating" in a sentence?

You can use "get frustrating" to describe something that gradually becomes annoying. For example, "Waiting in line began to "get frustrating" after an hour."

What are some alternatives to "get frustrating"?

Alternatives to "get frustrating" include "become irritating", "grow tiresome", or "prove vexing".

Is it correct to say "it gets frustrating"?

Yes, "it gets frustrating" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It indicates that something is becoming more annoying over time.

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

"Get frustrated" describes someone's emotional state (e.g., "I get frustrated when I can't find my keys"), while "get frustrating" describes something that causes annoyance (e.g., "The traffic started to "get frustrating"").