how irritating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'how irritating' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an exclamation that is used to express annoyance or displeasure. For example: "How irritating - I forgot my wallet at home again!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Does he understand how irritating this is?

The New York Times - Books

And yes, he knows how irritating he can be.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps I've spent too long surrounded by shouting kids to appreciate how irritating they can be?

The Guardian - Travel

But no matter how irritating kids are, they can be fun and cute.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we can hear how irritating all this expositional dialogue is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Oliver Hill, 60, of Waynesburg, Pa., said many eye doctors are too dismissive of how irritating a floater can be.

The Washington Post

- Should you feel yourself weaken, just think of anyone who does yoga and how irritating they are.

Independent

I have children, so I know how irritating it can be to have people ask lots of questions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"How very irritating you are, Alfred".

The New York Times - Books

There's online misogyny, cyberbullying, hacking, and God knows how many irritating mailshots from political parties.

The Guardian - Tech

For a minute there, the excitement over the election returns was so compelling we lost track of how stupendously irritating these people can be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how irritating" to express immediate annoyance or frustration, rather than for deep-seated anger. For persistent issues, consider using stronger language.

Common error

While "how irritating" is a common expression, it might be too informal for academic papers or professional reports. Consider using more formal alternatives like "the degree of irritation" or "the level of frustration" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how irritating" functions as an exclamatory expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a feeling of annoyance or displeasure. It's primarily used to convey a subjective reaction to something perceived as bothersome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how irritating" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey annoyance or frustration. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as an exclamatory phrase suitable for neutral to informal contexts, as evidenced by its prevalence in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and select more appropriate language for professional or academic writing. Alternatives such as "how frustrating" or "how exasperating" can offer nuances in meaning, depending on the specific situation. The best practice is to be direct with using it but to be careful when it comes to more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how annoying

This alternative is a direct synonym, expressing a similar level of displeasure or frustration.

how frustrating

This alternative focuses on the feeling of being thwarted or prevented from achieving a goal.

how exasperating

This alternative suggests a higher degree of frustration, implying that patience is being tested.

how infuriating

This alternative indicates a strong feeling of anger and outrage.

how vexing

This alternative implies a state of being worried or annoyed about something.

how bothersome

This alternative refers to something causing trouble or difficulty.

how unwelcome

This alternative conveys that something is not wanted or appreciated.

how disagreeable

This alternative suggests something unpleasant or offensive.

how displeasing

This alternative indicates something causing dissatisfaction or unhappiness.

how offensive

This alternative expresses strong displeasure and potential outrage due to causing someone to feel resentful or upset.

FAQs

How can I use "how irritating" in a sentence?

You can use "how irritating" to express your annoyance or frustration about something. For example, "How irritating – I left my keys at home!"

What are some alternatives to "how irritating"?

Alternatives include "how annoying", "how frustrating", or "how exasperating" depending on the level of frustration you wish to express.

Is it appropriate to use "how irritating" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how irritating" is generally considered informal. More formal alternatives might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "how irritating" and "how frustrating"?

"How irritating" generally refers to something causing minor annoyance, while "how frustrating" implies a sense of being blocked or hindered from achieving a goal.