i was cross

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "i was cross" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has made you angry or frustrated and you want to express that emotion. For example, "I was cross when my friend forgot to return my notebook."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I was cross".

The Guardian - Sport

I was cross and uninterested in everything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Of course I was cross with myself," she concedes.

The Guardian

"I was cross rather than aroused by the chief's remarks," he wrote, in "Long Walk to Freedom," his autobiography, "dismissing his words as the abusive comments of an ignorant man who was unable to appreciate the value of the education and benefits that the white man had brought to our country".

The New Yorker

Hence why I was cross with the office wag - he was lightly mocking me for an object that had quickly become important in my psychic landscape because it was already a gateway to experiences and people that embedded in my life and lifestyle as important.

The Guardian - Tech

I was cross then, not because Jeremy Corbyn had been elected but because the woman thing made me feel as if I'd turned up at my own house to find the locks had been changed and all my stuff was on the drive outside.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To assess the potential impact on infection propagation between farms, T R ¯ i was cross-classified with a measure of between-farm association frequency, informed by the Poultry Network Database (PND).

Epidemics

(And who I was cross-catfishing).

The Guardian - Books

"I was cross-checking," he said, "and I noticed this".

The New Yorker

"I was cross-examined for two days, I found it very overwhelming and exhausting.

The Guardian

I was cross-eyed from exhaustion, yet I could not imagine mothering a hospitalized baby any other way.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I was cross", consider your audience. While acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly old-fashioned or British English in some contexts. Choose a more universally understood synonym like "angry" or "annoyed" for broader clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I was cross" might sound informal or regional in some contexts. Opt for synonyms like "I was angry", "I was displeased", or "I felt resentment" in formal or academic writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I was cross" is that of a subject-verb-adjective construction, where "I" is the subject, "was" is the linking verb, and "cross" is the adjective describing the subject's state of being. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was cross" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey feelings of anger or annoyance. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While "I was cross" is understandable, it is not very common in contemporary English, with alternative expressions like "I was angry" or "I was annoyed" being more frequently used. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral tone and might be considered slightly informal or British English in some settings. When choosing to use "I was cross", consider your audience and the overall formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was angry

A more direct and common synonym for expressing anger.

I was annoyed

Indicates a milder form of displeasure than "cross".

I was irritated

Similar to 'annoyed' but can imply a slightly higher level of frustration.

I was displeased

A more formal way to express dissatisfaction.

I felt resentment

Focuses on the feeling of bitterness or indignation.

I was indignant

Expresses anger or annoyance provoked by unfair treatment.

I was frustrated

Highlights the feeling of being blocked or prevented from achieving a goal.

I was irked

A less common, slightly more playful way to say annoyed.

I took exception to

A formal way of disagreeing or objecting to something.

I resented

Implies a feeling of indignation or ill-will toward someone or something.

FAQs

What does "I was cross" mean?

The phrase "I was cross" means that the speaker was feeling angry or annoyed. It's a relatively mild expression of displeasure.

What can I say instead of "I was cross"?

You can use alternatives like "I was angry", "I was annoyed", or "I was irritated" depending on the intensity of the feeling.

Is "I was cross" formal or informal?

The phrase "I was cross" is generally considered informal. While grammatically correct, it might sound slightly old-fashioned or British English in certain contexts. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "I was displeased" or "I felt resentment".

How common is the phrase "I was cross"?

The phrase "I was cross" is not very common in contemporary English. While perfectly understandable, alternative expressions like "I was angry" or "I was annoyed" are more frequently used.