passing irritation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing irritation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary or fleeting feeling of annoyance or discomfort. Example: "Despite the passing irritation caused by the noise outside, she managed to concentrate on her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Was his fall in the polls nothing more than the public's natural, passing, irritation at finding their garages had run out of petrol?

The Economist

Instead of an unbearable inferno, we see a passing irritation in the mighty continuum of existence -- a perspective that the emotions recoil at but the spirit welcomes.

The New York Times - Books

Michael, with his wanderlust, was sympathetic towards my enforced immobility – his idea of hell was to be parked off the road – and mentioned with passing irritation that he had to go to the doctor too.

The Guardian - Arts

Try to look beyond minor irritations or pet peeves like traffic or people who talk during movies--pay attention to the things that consistently evoke more than passing irritation.

WikiHow

… "Is this a passing irritation?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

They want to see the system's flaws, imperfections, and ongoing crisis – stressed by capitalism's critics – as merely minor and passing irritations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet if revisited now, it looks the expression of a passing mood – partly irritation at humdrum critics who simplistically use authors' intentions or biographies to "solve" texts – albeit disguised by Barthes's characteristic certainty and rhetorical flair.

The Guardian - Books

My solution is to breathe deeply and picture the irritation passing right through me.

Huffington Post

All at once my irritation passed.

The New Yorker

Some indecipherable emotion — something close to irritation — passed through his face, and he squinted and slightly opened his mouth.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet Leahy when provoked, as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, appears able to pass only from irritation to extreme "disappointment" with the breakers of the law in government.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passing irritation", ensure the context clearly indicates the fleeting nature of the annoyance. Avoid using it for long-lasting or deep-seated feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "passing irritation" to describe a problem that is chronic or deeply affecting someone. This minimizes the actual impact and can be seen as dismissive. Instead, use phrases like "chronic frustration" or "ongoing discontent" for more serious issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing irritation" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "passing" modifies the noun "irritation". This describes a state of annoyance that is temporary. Ludwig AI shows examples of its use in describing fleeting feelings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing irritation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a fleeting sense of annoyance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and general writing. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys the temporary nature of the feeling. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning and avoid using it for significant or chronic issues. Consider alternatives like "fleeting annoyance" or "temporary vexation" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting annoyance

Replaces "irritation" with "annoyance" and "passing" with "fleeting", emphasizing the brief duration of the feeling.

quick irritation

Replaces "passing" with "quick", keeping the meaning of something brief and immediate.

transient annoyance

Uses "transient" as a synonym for "passing", further emphasizing the temporary quality of the annoyance.

minor vexation

Specifies that the vexation is "minor", implying it's not a significant issue, synonymous with "passing".

temporary vexation

Substitutes "irritation" with the more formal "vexation", while keeping the temporary nature.

momentary displeasure

Replaces "irritation" with "displeasure", highlighting the feeling of dissatisfaction that is short-lived.

surface-level annoyance

Highlights that the annoyance doesn't go deep, it's only on the "surface-level" and thus temporary and not concerning.

brief aggravation

Uses "aggravation" instead of "irritation", suggesting a slightly stronger but still temporary feeling.

short-lived frustration

Focuses on the "frustration" aspect of irritation, emphasizing its temporary nature.

slight pique

Employs "pique", which indicates a transient feeling of wounded vanity, for "irritation".

FAQs

How can I use "passing irritation" in a sentence?

You can use "passing irritation" to describe a temporary feeling of annoyance. For example, "Despite the passing irritation caused by the construction noise, she managed to finish her report."

What are some synonyms for "passing irritation"?

Alternatives to "passing irritation" include "fleeting annoyance", "temporary vexation", or "momentary displeasure".

Is "passing irritation" formal or informal?

"Passing irritation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it might be more common in news or general writing than in highly formal academic papers.

When should I not use the phrase "passing irritation"?

Avoid using "passing irritation" when describing serious or long-lasting problems. In such cases, use stronger terms like "deep-seated resentment" or "chronic dissatisfaction".