it becomes irritating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it becomes irritating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or behavior that gradually causes annoyance or frustration over time. Example: "At first, I found the constant notifications helpful, but after a while, it becomes irritating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A hard snowfall makes you feel excited and cozy for only about ninety minutes, I found; after that, it becomes irritating, then worrisome, then alarming, and so on, sometimes all the way to panic.

The New Yorker

It becomes irritating when you're asked to do a small, TV performance for a very big artist, and it's happening in two weeks' time.

Vice

Learn when to chat proactively, as sometimes it becomes irritating for customers.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sometimes I became irritated by it, Urfe's trials, the seemingly endless series of deceptions by Conchis, too much for languorous days ("Were they twins or was that last night's drinks?").

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Shick's hovering in the shadows quickly becomes irritating.

The New York Times - Arts

This is an ingenious conceit, but Mr. Lou lets it play on for too long, until even the elastic credulity we bring to dream-narratives begins to fray, and our confusion about who is who becomes irritating.

The New York Times

During a test drive when I became irritated by a Beyonce song, I simply pushed a "voice" button on the side of the Pioneer display and told the system to "play the Doors".

The New York Times

Don't coat it too thickly or it will become irritating.

WikiHow

Frequently, Castro becomes irritated with his persistence, while Lockwood loses his patience when Castro evades a question.

The Guardian - Books

If a candidate becomes irritated during a newspaper reporter's interview, the instance may merit only a sentence in the next day's article.

The New York Times

According to the Washington Post, intelligence briefers edit certain Russia-specific items from their presentations to avoid angering Trump, who reportedly becomes irritated at the mention of Russia.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it becomes irritating" to describe a gradual increase in annoyance. This is particularly effective when detailing a situation that initially seems acceptable but later turns problematic.

Common error

Avoid using "it becomes irritating" in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, it may sound too informal for academic papers or official reports. Consider using more sophisticated vocabulary to convey a similar meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it becomes irritating" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing a state or condition that develops over time. It expresses a gradual shift towards annoyance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it becomes irritating" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gradual increase in annoyance or frustration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for a range of contexts, it's best used in neutral or informal settings, avoiding overuse in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "it starts to annoy" or "it gets annoying" offer more direct expressions, while phrases like "it becomes problematic" are more formal. This phrase effectively captures a subjective experience of growing irritation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is progressively irritating

Adds "progressively" to emphasize the gradual increase in irritation.

it starts to annoy

Replaces "becomes irritating" with a more direct expression of annoyance.

it turns bothersome

Substitutes "irritating" with "bothersome", indicating a nuisance.

it gets annoying

Uses "annoying" instead of "irritating", a more common and informal term.

it is starting to grate

Employs the idiom "starting to grate", suggesting a wearing effect.

it is becoming a nuisance

Replaces "irritating" with "a nuisance", focusing on the troublesome aspect.

it is increasingly frustrating

Highlights the growing frustration caused by something.

it is slowly becoming tiresome

Uses "tiresome" to describe the draining effect of something.

it is gradually becoming vexing

Replaces "irritating" with "vexing", a more formal term for causing annoyance.

it is beginning to chafe

Uses "chafe" to suggest friction and irritation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it becomes irritating" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it becomes problematic", "it becomes untenable", or "it becomes troublesome" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's a more direct way to express that something "becomes irritating"?

If you want to be more direct, you can say "it starts to annoy", "it gets annoying", or simply "it annoys me".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "it becomes irritating"?

The phrase "it becomes irritating" is suitable for describing situations where annoyance builds up over time. It's appropriate in both informal and neutral contexts, such as describing a repetitive noise or a recurring inconvenience.

Is "it is becoming irritating" grammatically different from "it becomes irritating"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "it is becoming irritating" ("it is becoming irritating") emphasizes the ongoing process of irritation, whereas "it becomes irritating" suggests a more general tendency or eventual outcome. The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.