irritate someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irritate someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that causes annoyance or discomfort to another person. Example: "His constant interruptions during the meeting began to irritate everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We wouldn't want to irritate someone with a handgun.

The New York Times

Too much detail can build counter-constituencies because it's bound to irritate someone.

The New York Times

If it's a door, you're inevitably going to be in someone's way and irritate someone.

WikiHow

Everyone's skin is different, and what works for someone may irritate someone else.

WikiHow

It may seem like you have so much to say about Jackson, but it may irritate someone if you do not stop ever talking and / or bragging about him and thus, it becomes old very fast.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

You forget a password and have to reset it (trivial); Hackers impersonate you on social media (irritating); Someone steals your SSN and defaults on a credit card in your name (serious); An oppressive state spies on, tracks and arrests potential dissidents (life-altering).

TechCrunch

Nothing irritates someone in chronic pain more than unwanted advice if it's something they've tried before.

WikiHow

Another thing to do if you want to know if you are irritating someone or not is to ask them for their Facebook and/or phone number.

WikiHow

"Even if somebody's mentally ill they could still be mad at somebody, they could be irritated at someone, they could be offended at somebody," she said.

The Guardian

He handed her the paper and stood, surprised to find himself so irritated at someone who seemed only to want to help him.

The New Yorker

At first, I wasn't sure how well this strange, semi-surreal approach would work with a play set in Renaissance Spain and reeking of evil: even the background buzz of noise was irritating, suggesting someone had left the radio on nearby.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "irritate someone", consider the degree of annoyance you want to convey. Synonyms like "annoy" or "bother" may be more appropriate for milder situations.

Common error

While "irritate someone" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing monotonous. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "frustrate", "aggravate", or idiomatic expressions like "get on someone's nerves" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irritate someone" functions as a verb phrase where "irritate" is the transitive verb and "someone" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Academia

6.666666666666667%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3.3333333333333335%

Science

3.3333333333333335%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irritate someone" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for describing the act of causing annoyance or displeasure. Ludwig AI confirms this, with examples demonstrating its usage in a variety of contexts. Although not exceptionally frequent, it is common enough to be considered a standard expression, with nuances that distinguish it from synonyms like "annoy" or "bother". When using it, consider the context and the degree of annoyance you wish to convey, and be mindful of overuse to avoid monotony. While "irritate someone" is a useful and appropriate phrase, remember that there are many ways to express the same idea with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoy someone

Direct synonym, replacing "irritate" with "annoy" without changing the structure.

bother someone

Similar in meaning, but slightly less intense than "irritate".

frustrate someone

Focuses on causing a feeling of frustration, which is a more specific type of irritation.

aggravate someone

Implies making an existing annoyance worse.

provoke someone

Suggests intentionally causing irritation or anger.

get on someone's nerves

Idiomatic expression indicating annoyance.

drive someone up the wall

Figurative language for causing extreme irritation.

ruffle someone's feathers

Idiomatic expression for causing mild irritation or annoyance.

be a nuisance to someone

Focuses on the troublesome aspect of causing irritation.

displease someone

A more general term for causing unhappiness, which can include irritation.

FAQs

How can I use "irritate someone" in a sentence?

You can use "irritate someone" to describe an action or behavior that causes annoyance or displeasure to another person. For example, "His constant interruptions during the meeting began to irritate everyone in the room."

What are some synonyms for "irritate someone"?

Alternatives include "annoy someone", "bother someone", "frustrate someone", and "aggravate someone". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "irritate someone" formal or informal?

"Irritate someone" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose the most appropriate synonym if a more formal or informal tone is desired.

What's the difference between "irritate someone" and "annoy someone"?

While both convey causing displeasure, "irritate" often implies a more persistent or grating annoyance, whereas "annoy someone" can refer to a more immediate or fleeting disturbance. The distinction is subtle and context-dependent.