lost patience

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost patience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about when you no longer have the ability to tolerate a situation. For example: After two hours of waiting for the bus, I had lost patience and decided to take a taxi home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone has lost patience.

The New Yorker

JULIE: He lost patience.

The New Yorker

It soon lost patience.

The Economist

But it lost patience.

The New York Times

Ms. LeFavour has lost patience.

The New York Times

Ultimately, they lost patience too.

The Guardian - Sport

Many analysts have lost patience.

The New York Times

On television, Oliver lost patience.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, the man lost patience.

The New Yorker

But the business community has lost patience.

The New Yorker

But at Kargil, India lost patience.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost patience", consider the context and choose a synonym if you want to convey a specific nuance, such as sudden anger or complete exhaustion. For instance, use "snapped" to imply a sudden outburst or "reached the end of one's rope" to emphasize a feeling of utter helplessness.

Common error

While "lost patience" is perfectly acceptable in general writing, be mindful of its usage in formal or academic contexts. Overusing it can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using more formal alternatives like "became intolerant" or "ceased to tolerate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost patience" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a completed action or state of losing one's ability to tolerate a situation. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, describing what someone or something has done. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost patience" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express the end of one's tolerance or ability to endure a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its widespread use in describing reactions to various events and circumstances. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to the specific nuance you wish to convey, with synonyms like "reached the end of one's rope" or "became intolerant" offering more precise shades of meaning. Avoid overuse in overly formal writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached the end of one's rope

Emphasizes the feeling of being completely unable to cope any longer.

had enough

A simple and direct way of expressing that one's tolerance has ended.

couldn't take it anymore

An informal way of saying that one's limit has been reached.

reached a breaking point

Focuses on the moment when one's ability to withstand pressure ends.

was fed up

Implies a state of being tired and annoyed with something that has been happening for a while.

ran out of forbearance

Highlights the exhaustion of one's capacity to be patient or tolerant.

became exasperated

Highlights the feeling of intense irritation and frustration.

became intolerant

Indicates a shift towards not accepting or putting up with something.

ceased to tolerate

A more formal way of expressing the end of one's tolerance.

snapped

Implies a sudden loss of control due to accumulated frustration.

FAQs

How to use "lost patience" in a sentence?

"Lost patience" describes the state of no longer being able to tolerate a situation or person. For example: "After waiting for hours, the customers "lost patience" and demanded a refund."

What can I say instead of "lost patience"?

You can use alternatives like "became intolerant", "reached the end of one's rope", or "was fed up" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lose patience" or "lost patience"?

Both "lose patience" and "lost patience" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Lose patience" is used in the present or future tense (e.g., "I might lose patience if this continues"), while "lost patience" is used in the past tense (e.g., "I "lost patience" after waiting for an hour").

What's the difference between "lost patience" and "ran out of patience"?

"Lost patience" and "ran out of patience" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. However, "ran out of patience" might subtly suggest a gradual depletion of tolerance, while ""lost patience"" can imply a more sudden or immediate end to one's tolerance.