impatience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impatience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of restlessness or eagerness when waiting for something. Example: "Her impatience grew as she waited for the results of the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Kennedy had no great understanding of the impatience of African Americans or the intransigence of white southerners, while Johnson – from Texas – understood both," says Tony Badger, professor of American history at Cambridge.

The Guardian

Caborn rejects that with some impatience: "I am close to a lot of people," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

The press will write about Brown biting his nails and twitching with impatience unless it has war stories to tell about the ideological battle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Impatience with the superficialities of spin makes it essential that Gordon Brown forgets about false smiles, weak jokes and pastel-coloured ties.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if Cameron has his occasional moment of impatience with Obama, he has lost all remaining illusions about Vladimir Putin, a man that at one point he believed he had developed a frank and valuable dialogue.

The Guardian

Letts' impatience, which summarises much of the disdain that Grieve seems to have faced from harder-nosed elements within his party throughout his time in office, is mostly based on the attorney general's studious commitment to, well, the law.

The Guardian

The charismatic Tsipras may have confronted growing impatience abroad but at home he is able to draw on the discontent unleashed by policies that have failed to deliver the promised results.

The Guardian

He would have seen an uncertain Labour party, a frustrated Green movement, a decentralising spirit, a fresh impatience with the electoral system and, above all, a battle for Britain's place in Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

The moves come amid evidence of mounting US impatience with both sides over the breakdown of the talks with US officials criticising the "unhelpful, unilateral actions".

The Guardian

Afterwards, Tom would remember the dog ignoring him, and the spurt of impatience he had felt.

The Guardian - Books

I understand the impatience of wanting to make that choice immediately.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a general state of mind, use "impatience" to convey a sense of restlessness and intolerance of delays. For instance: "His impatience grew as he waited for the delayed train."

Common error

Avoid using "impatience" when you mean "haste". "Impatience" refers to a state of mind, while "haste" implies acting quickly or rushing. Don't say: "In his impatience, he made a mistake." Instead, say: "In his haste, he made a mistake."

Linguistic Context

"Impatience" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a state of being or a quality. It describes the feeling of being restless or eager, particularly when faced with delays or obstacles. Ludwig indicates that this term is both correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impatience" is a noun that describes the state of being restless or intolerant of delays. Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread usage. The examples from Ludwig show it appearing frequently in News & Media and Business contexts. While generally negative, a degree of "impatience" can drive action. Be mindful not to confuse it with "haste". Synonyms include "restlessness", "eagerness", and "frustration", providing alternative ways to express the same sentiment with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restlessness

Focuses on the inability to stay still or quiet, highlighting the physical manifestation of impatience.

frustration

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

restive mood

Captures a state of unease and agitation, indicating a desire for change or action.

eagerness

Emphasizes the positive anticipation and enthusiasm, contrasting with the negative connotation of impatience.

exasperation

Emphasizes the intense irritation and annoyance, often leading to a loss of patience.

anxiety

Highlights the worry and unease associated with waiting, focusing on the mental state.

lack of tolerance

Indicates an unwillingness to accept delays or imperfections, highlighting a specific aspect of impatience.

irritability

Focuses on the annoyance and frustration caused by delays or obstacles.

unease

Highlights the feeling of discomfort and anxiety stemming from waiting or uncertainty.

short fuse

A more informal expression indicating a quick temper and low tolerance for frustration.

FAQs

How can I use "impatience" in a sentence?

"Impatience" is a noun that describes the state of being impatient. You can say, "Her "impatience" was evident as she tapped her foot" or "The growing "impatience" among the crowd was palpable".

What are some synonyms for "impatience"?

Alternatives to "impatience" include "restlessness", "eagerness", "irritability", and "frustration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "impatience" a positive or negative trait?

"Impatience" is generally considered a negative trait, as it often implies a lack of tolerance and can lead to frustration and poor decision-making. However, in some contexts, a degree of "impatience" can drive progress and action.

How does "impatience" differ from "haste"?

"Impatience" is a state of mind characterized by restlessness, while "haste" refers to acting with excessive speed or urgency. While they can be related, "impatience" is the feeling, and "haste" is the action that might result.