losing patience

USAGE SUMMARY

"losing patience" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express that someone's patience is running out or they are becoming increasingly frustrated. For example: After hours of waiting, he was quickly losing patience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are losing patience.

The New Yorker

Many Georgians are losing patience.

The Economist

Others are losing patience.

The Guardian

Germany is losing patience.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm losing patience.

The Guardian - Opinion

People are losing patience".

The New York Times

They're losing patience.

The Guardian

"But they are losing patience.

The New York Times

"I was losing patience this time.

The New York Times

In Congress, some are losing patience.

The New Yorker

Neighbors, however, say they are losing patience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "losing patience", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the decline in patience. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "losing patience" multiple times within a short passage. Vary your language by using synonyms like "becoming impatient" or "running out of patience" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing patience" functions as a verb phrase indicating a progressive action. According to Ludwig, it accurately describes a state of dwindling tolerance. Examples show it used in various contexts to express frustration or annoyance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing patience" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a diminishing tolerance for a situation or person. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. To enhance your writing, it's advisable to provide context when using this phrase to clarify the source of frustration. Furthermore, avoid overuse by substituting with synonyms like "becoming impatient" or "running out of patience" to prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running out of patience

Focuses on the depletion of patience, similar to "losing patience" but emphasizes the resource aspect.

becoming impatient

Highlights the process of transitioning to a state of impatience, rather than the loss of patience itself.

patience wearing thin

Suggests that patience is gradually decreasing and becoming less substantial.

growing weary

Emphasizes the increasing feeling of tiredness and dissatisfaction, implying a decline in patience.

at the end of one's rope

Idiomatic expression indicating a state of extreme frustration and lack of remaining patience.

frustration mounting

Shifts the focus to the increasing level of frustration as a result of dwindling patience.

reaching the breaking point

Highlights the nearing of a limit where one's patience will completely cease.

getting fed up

Informal way of saying someone is becoming annoyed and impatient with a situation.

exasperation growing

Focuses on the increasing feeling of intense irritation and annoyance.

nearing the limit

Emphasizes the proximity to the boundary of one's ability to endure or tolerate something.

FAQs

How can I use "losing patience" in a sentence?

You can use "losing patience" to describe a situation where someone's tolerance is decreasing, such as, "After waiting for hours, the customers were "losing patience" with the slow service."

What are some alternatives to saying "losing patience"?

Alternatives include "becoming impatient", "running out of patience", or "growing weary" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lost patience" instead of "losing patience"?

"Lost patience" indicates a completed state, whereas "losing patience" describes an ongoing process. For instance, "He lost patience and stormed out" suggests a final action, while "He was losing patience as the meeting dragged on" implies increasing frustration.

What's the difference between "losing patience" and "testing patience"?

"Losing patience" refers to one's own diminishing tolerance. "Testing patience" refers to actions that cause another person to potentially "lose patience". Example: "His constant interruptions were testing my patience."