patience

USAGE SUMMARY

'patience' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to the ability to remain calm, tolerant, and accept delays or problems without becoming annoyed or anxious. For example, "He needed patience to wait for the results of his medical test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thank you for your patience.

The New York Times

Anthony has the ideal combination of expertise, clarity and patience.

The Guardian

Such is the affection for Stuart Pearce in these parts, the opprobrium of the Nottingham Forest supporters on the final whistle was muted and delivered as much in sorrow as in anger, but their patience with the manager must be wearing thin.

The Guardian - Sport

Mackay is the manager currently getting all the time and patience, yet with just two wins from 17 games his success percentage is vastly lower.

The Guardian - Sport

When you make decisions you sometimes need more patience; in Italy this is more difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

"This already pre-empts much of the management's rights, and moving away from that is a task which will take a considerable time and much patience".

The Guardian

Louise, Paris at Dawn Anthony has the ideal combination of expertise, clarity and patience.

The Guardian

But with the contours of a solution taking shape – and indicating that belt-tightening may in fact be worse than ever before – patience is also in short supply.

The Guardian

They had lost patience with Israel's hardline leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

Twitter was soon full of jokes and memes respecting his patience: The waiting took its toll on journalists and election analysts painstakingly recording the results.

The Guardian

The recent Italian election vote showed that Italians have lost their faith in and patience with Brussels and Berlin and no longer believe that the end of the crisis is around the corner.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "patience" with verbs that indicate its application, such as "exercise patience", "require patience", or "test one's patience".

Common error

Don't equate "patience" with simply doing nothing. "Patience" often involves active waiting, preparation, or strategic planning, not passive acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The word "patience" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the capacity to accept delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming visibly upset. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. Its use varies across contexts, as evidenced by the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Lifestyle

8%

Tech

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patience" is a versatile and frequently used noun that refers to the capacity to accept delays or suffering without complaint. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, ranging from news and media to personal communication. While alternatives like "forbearance" and "tolerance" exist, each carries slightly different connotations. When using "patience", be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey and avoid equating it with mere passivity. Remember that fostering "patience" involves actively managing expectations and maintaining composure during challenging situations. The word appears frequently in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forbearance

Similar in meaning, but implies a deliberate restraint in the face of provocation.

tolerance

Focuses on accepting differing views or behaviors.

composure

Emphasizes maintaining a calm and controlled demeanor.

perseverance

Highlights persistence in the face of difficulty.

longanimity

A more formal synonym for patience, suggesting a great capacity for endurance.

stoicism

Implies indifference to pleasure or pain.

resilience

Focuses on the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

endurance

Highlights the capacity to withstand prolonged hardship.

self-restraint

Emphasizes the control of one's impulses and emotions.

equanimity

Suggests a mental calmness in a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "patience" in a sentence?

You can use "patience" in sentences like "Cultivating "patience" is essential for success", or "The task requires a great deal of "patience"".

What's the difference between "patience" and "tolerance"?

"Patience" refers to the ability to wait calmly, while "tolerance" implies acceptance of differing views or behaviors. While related, "tolerance" focuses more on acceptance, and "patience" focuses more on waiting.

What can I say instead of "patience"?

You can use alternatives such as "forbearance", "composure", or "perseverance" depending on the specific context.

Is "patience" a quality or a skill?

"Patience" can be considered both a quality and a skill. As a quality, it's an inherent trait. As a skill, it can be developed and improved through practice and mindfulness.