pet peeve

USAGE SUMMARY

"pet peeve" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that one particularly dislikes or finds annoying. For example, "My pet peeve is people talking on their cell phones in public places."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's your pet peeve?

The New York Times

That's my biggest pet peeve.

The New Yorker

Pet peeve: freshly applied asphalt.

The New Yorker

"It's actually a pet peeve of mine".

The New York Times

What is your pet peeve? A. Complaining.

The New York Times

In general, sloppiness is my pet peeve.

The New Yorker

This has always been my pet peeve.

The New York Times

Yuri Pikover's pet peeve is leftovers.

The New York Times

Her feet are a pet peeve.

The New York Times

My pet peeve in a book.

The Guardian

"It's a pet peeve of mine.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pet peeve", be specific about what exactly you find annoying to clearly communicate your feelings.

Common error

While "pet peeve" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "source of frustration" in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pet peeve" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something that is a particular source of annoyance for someone. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pet peeve" is a commonly used noun phrase to express a personal annoyance or dislike. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, from news articles to academic discussions. While generally neutral to informal, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings. When using "pet peeve", clarity is key – be specific about what exactly you find annoying. Common synonyms include "personal annoyance" and "minor irritation". Overall, "pet peeve" is a versatile and easily understood expression for sharing those little things that bother us.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal annoyance

Focuses on the feeling of being annoyed by something specific.

personal dislike

Emphasizes a feeling of aversion or disapproval.

minor irritation

Highlights the small degree of annoyance caused by something.

source of frustration

Indicates something that causes feelings of being upset or impatient.

thing that gets on my nerves

An informal way to express something that annoys you.

something that bugs me

A colloquial term for something that is bothersome or irritating.

what grinds my gears

An idiomatic expression for something that is particularly annoying.

annoying habit

Focuses on repetitive behaviors that cause annoyance.

personal bugbear

A British English term for something that annoys a person.

thing I can't stand

Expresses a strong feeling of dislike or intolerance.

FAQs

How can I use "pet peeve" in a sentence?

You can use "pet peeve" to describe something that personally annoys you, such as "One of my biggest "pet peeves" is when people talk loudly on their phones in public."

What's a more formal way to say "pet peeve"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "source of frustration", "personal annoyance", or "something I find irritating" instead of the more casual "pet peeve".

Is "pet peeve" singular or plural?

"Pet peeve" is singular, referring to one specific annoyance. The plural form is "pet peeves", used to describe multiple annoyances.

What can I say instead of "pet peeve"?

You can use alternatives like "personal annoyance", "minor irritation", or "thing that gets on my nerves" depending on the context.