in frustration

USAGE SUMMARY

"in frustration" is a perfectly usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is behaved in a frustrated manner, often out of exasperation or anger. For example: "John slammed his fist into the wall in frustration after his coworker refused to help him with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her voice rose in frustration.

The New York Times

Weep in frustration?

Princeton University

Balotelli punches the air in frustration.

The New York Times

He paused to sigh in frustration.

The New York Times - Sports

In frustration, he considered moving to Israel.

The New Yorker

That could result in frustration and violence.

The New York Times

I shook my head in frustration.

The New York Times

Ten months later, he resigned in frustration.

The Economist

Quotes the dialogue which ends in frustration.

The New Yorker

He hears the batter curse in frustration.

The New York Times

Others walked out in frustration.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in frustration" to clearly indicate the motivation behind an action or statement. It adds emotional context and helps the reader understand the character's state of mind.

Common error

Avoid using "in frustration" when you simply mean 'frustrated'. For example, instead of "He, in frustration, kicked the chair," write "He kicked the chair in frustration" or "He kicked the chair because he was frustrated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in frustration" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, with numerous examples illustrating actions driven by a feeling of frustration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in frustration" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe actions motivated by a feeling of frustration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to add emotional context to a situation, revealing the underlying sentiment driving the action. While versatile enough for neutral, professional, and even informal contexts, it is crucial to use it accurately to specify the manner of an action rather than replacing the adjective 'frustrated'. Alternatives such as "out of frustration" or "in exasperation" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of frustration

Changes the preposition, subtly shifting the focus to the cause rather than the state.

with frustration

Slightly less common, but still conveys the feeling accompanying an action.

in exasperation

Emphasizes the feeling of being annoyed and impatient.

in annoyance

Focuses on the feeling of being slightly irritated or bothered.

in irritation

Similar to annoyance, but can imply a stronger feeling.

out of vexation

Vexation suggests a state of being annoyed, frustrated or worried.

with vexation

Emphasizes the feeling accompanying an action, slightly less common phrasing.

out of annoyance

Changes the preposition and focuses on the cause of the feeling.

in dismay

Conveys a feeling of shock and disappointment.

with resentment

Expresses bitterness and anger felt about something.

FAQs

How can I use "in frustration" in a sentence?

Use "in frustration" to describe the manner or motivation behind an action driven by frustration. For example: "She sighed "in frustration" when the project was delayed again."

What are some alternatives to saying "in frustration"?

You can use alternatives like "out of frustration", "in exasperation", or "with annoyance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "He was in frustration"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct usage is to say someone does something "in frustration". You could say "He was frustrated" or "He acted "out of frustration"".

What's the difference between "in frustration" and "frustrated"?

"In frustration" is an adverbial phrase describing how an action is performed, while "frustrated" is an adjective describing a state of being. For example: "She yelled "in frustration" (how she yelled), but she was frustrated (her state of mind)."