i was irate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was irate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you were extremely angry or furious about a situation in the past. Example: "When I found out that my project had been canceled without notice, I was irate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I was irate.

The New York Times

I was irate and told her that I was going to tell my entire customer base about my experience.

The New York Times

When Forcelli returned to give his testimony for a second time, he recalled, "I was irate, like, How is this guy still in jail?

The New Yorker

By this time I was irate, and the fact that he was using his dirty shoes as a pointer while he was yelling at me didn't help the situation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's what I was irate about".

BBC

I was irate when Mimosa was named the color of the year for 2009.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I'm irate right now," Worley said to Anderson after she told him about Call's suggestion, and he said he was texting Call immediately to find out more about it.

Huffington Post

"I was getting irate," he said.

Independent

"I was so irate," she says.

Huffington Post

The missionary was irate, but I was immensely relieved.

The New Yorker

"When I woke, it was nine and my parents were waiting; my father was irate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "i was irate", consider the context and audience. While grammatically correct, "irate" can sometimes sound slightly formal. Choose synonyms like "furious" or "livid" for more casual situations.

Common error

Avoid using "irate" too frequently in informal writing or conversation. While correct, it can sound stilted. Opt for more natural-sounding alternatives like "mad" or "angry" in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was irate" functions as a declarative clause expressing a state of being, specifically the speaker's emotional state in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The word "irate" acts as a subject complement describing the subject "I".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i was irate" is a grammatically sound and common way to express strong anger or fury. According to Ludwig, it's perfectly usable in written English. While "irate" itself can lean towards formality, the phrase is versatile and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Consider the audience and context when using this phrase, as synonyms like "furious" or "livid" may be more appropriate for informal settings. Be mindful of potential overuse, and explore alternative expressions to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i felt furious

Replaces "irate" with a more common synonym, "furious", maintaining the same intensity.

i was livid

Replaces "irate" with another strong synonym, "livid", implying a higher level of anger.

i was extremely angry

Uses a more descriptive phrase to express the same feeling of anger.

i became enraged

Focuses on the process of becoming angry, highlighting the escalation of emotion.

i was fuming

Conveys a sense of intense, often silent, anger.

i was incensed

Uses a more formal synonym, "incensed", indicating righteous anger or indignation.

i was seething with anger

Emphasizes the internal experience of suppressed anger.

i was beside myself with rage

Highlights the extreme and overwhelming nature of the anger experienced.

i lost my temper

Indicates a loss of control due to anger, rather than simply feeling angry.

i could not contain my anger

Focuses on the inability to control or suppress the anger.

FAQs

What does "i was irate" mean?

The phrase "i was irate" means that the speaker felt extremely angry or furious about something that happened in the past. It indicates a strong feeling of displeasure and annoyance.

What can I say instead of "i was irate"?

You can use alternatives like "i was "felt furious"", "i was extremely "angry"", or "i was "livid"" depending on the context.

Is "i was irate" formal or informal?

The phrase "i was irate" leans toward being slightly more formal. In very casual settings, simpler terms like "angry" or "mad" might be more appropriate. However, it's perfectly acceptable in most written and spoken contexts.

How to use "i was irate" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase to express your strong anger about something. For example, "When I discovered the error in my bill, "i was irate" and immediately called customer service."