it was bothersome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was bothersome" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that caused annoyance or discomfort in a situation. Example: "During the meeting, it was bothersome to hear constant interruptions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Stolar added that it was "bothersome" that documents about the Grand Central protests show the involvement of couterterrorism officers "because if you are the police department treating peaceful First Amendment activity as terrorism, then we have a serious issue". .

Huffington Post

"It was bothersome, to say the least".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was bothersome," the Butcher says of his sore nose.

The New York Times

No artist felt the workload onerous, but a couple of artists felt it was bothersome to answer the same questions daily.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Perhaps it's bothersome due to its resemblance to the word "simpleton", which we do use.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's bothersome".

Independent

"It's bothersome," Holder went on.

The New Yorker

"A lot of times when it's bothersome, it's just kind of irritating," Nady said.

The New York Times - Sports

If it is bothersome, then flag it up, and trust that the women you do meet in real life will be a bit more polite.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's bothersome that you could market in some way that you really target a minority group that already is underprivileged.

The New York Times

Instead, the cause of all this motto-masking is most likely inertia, since new cars are routinely delivered with black plastic license plate frames bearing the dealer's name and location, and it's bothersome to take them off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was bothersome", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "bothersome" is grammatically correct, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using more common synonyms like "annoying" or "irritating" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was bothersome" functions as a descriptive statement, expressing that something caused annoyance or inconvenience. It's used to convey a mild level of irritation, as evidenced by Ludwig examples, where something is described as "bothersome" rather than severely problematic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was bothersome" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something that caused annoyance or inconvenience. Though its frequency is rare, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly news and media, science, and wiki-style writing. The phrase lands as neutral or slightly formal in register, making it more suitable for serious or professional communication, as confirmed by Ludwig. When seeking alternative expressions, "it was annoying" or "it was irritating" can serve as more casual alternatives. While there is no grammatical error, ensure the context clearly identifies what 'it' refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was irritating

Replaces "bothersome" with a more common synonym, suggesting a similar level of annoyance.

it was annoying

Similar to "irritating", but slightly more informal.

it was troublesome

Emphasizes the difficulty or inconvenience caused.

it was inconvenient

Focuses on the disruption or lack of ease.

it was vexing

A more formal and less common synonym for "annoying".

it was a nuisance

Identifies the subject as a cause of minor annoyance or irritation.

it was aggravating

Highlights the frustrating aspect of the situation.

it was disturbing

Implies a more significant level of unease or disruption.

it was displeasing

A more formal way to express that something was not enjoyable.

it was unwelcome

Indicates that something was not desired or appreciated.

FAQs

What does "it was bothersome" mean?

The phrase "it was bothersome" means that something was annoying, irritating, or caused some level of discomfort or inconvenience. It implies that the subject was not severely problematic, but still caused some degree of trouble.

How can I use "it was bothersome" in a sentence?

You can use "it was bothersome" to describe a situation, action, or object that caused annoyance or inconvenience. For example: "It was bothersome to have to wait in line for so long".

What are some synonyms for "it was bothersome"?

Alternatives to "it was bothersome" include phrases like "it was annoying", "it was irritating", or "it was inconvenient", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it was bothersome" formal or informal?

"It was bothersome" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, consider more casual alternatives like "it was annoying" or "it was irritating" for everyday conversation.