getting pretty frustrating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting pretty frustrating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of annoyance or irritation that is increasing over time. Example: "I've tried to fix this issue for hours, and it's getting pretty frustrating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We've been battering away at this for a few months, and it's been getting pretty frustrating.

Science Magazine

There is still time to turn things around, but this is getting pretty frustrating.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It can get pretty frustrating trying to find an experimentally valid brainteaser," Jung-Beeman said.

The New Yorker

On the other hand, you look at what a small percentage you're doing of what you could do if there weren't restrictions that prohibit you from full access, and it can get pretty frustrating.

Forbes

I got pretty frustrated on 11, the par three.

BBC

"Coats urged the Court to take on and decide many more issues than it did -- and because they did not, now you get this... Pretty frustrating".  .

Huffington Post

It's actually pretty frustrating.

TechCrunch

Widnes coach Denis Betts: "It was pretty frustrating.

BBC

"It's pretty frustrating.

Huffington Post

Because if you don't, and you have told people that is why you have them, they are going to get frustrated pretty quickly.

Huffington Post

The first couple of levels are pretty straightforward, but once the game gets going it can get a little frustrating.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting pretty frustrating" to describe situations where your annoyance is building over time, not as a general statement of dislike.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty" as a generic intensifier in formal writing. While "getting pretty frustrating" is acceptable in many contexts, replacing "pretty" with "very" or "increasingly" might be more appropriate for formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting pretty frustrating" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used as a predicate adjective following a linking verb (e.g., is, seems, becomes). It modifies the subject by expressing a feeling of increasing annoyance or irritation. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "getting pretty frustrating" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a situation becoming increasingly annoying. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While suitable for many contexts, it's slightly informal, so consider more formal alternatives like "becoming quite annoying" or "increasingly irritating" for formal writing. It's most frequently used in News & Media. Avoid overusing "pretty" as a generic intensifier to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming quite annoying

This alternative replaces "pretty frustrating" with a more straightforward description of increasing annoyance.

increasingly irritating

This alternative directly states that something is becoming more irritating.

turning rather exasperating

This alternative uses a more formal word, "exasperating", to convey the feeling of frustration.

becoming a real pain

This is a more informal and direct way to express increasing frustration.

growing tiresome

This alternative focuses on the feeling of weariness and boredom that accompanies frustration.

testing my patience

This alternative focuses on the speaker's dwindling patience as the source of frustration increases.

starting to grate on my nerves

This alternative is more idiomatic, implying that something is increasingly bothering the speaker.

approaching the limit of my tolerance

A more formal way of saying that the speaker is becoming increasingly intolerant of the situation.

reaching a breaking point

This alternative suggests that the frustration is reaching an unbearable level.

on the verge of losing it

This alternative is a more dramatic way of expressing extreme frustration.

FAQs

What does "getting pretty frustrating" mean?

The phrase "getting pretty frustrating" indicates that a situation or task is becoming increasingly annoying or irritating over time.

How can I use "getting pretty frustrating" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation that is progressively causing annoyance, like: "Trying to debug this code is "getting pretty frustrating"."

What are some alternatives to "getting pretty frustrating"?

Consider alternatives like "becoming quite annoying", "increasingly irritating", or "growing tiresome" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "getting pretty frustrating" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "getting pretty frustrating" leans towards informal. For formal writing, opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "increasingly challenging" or "becoming significantly more difficult".