prove vexing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prove vexing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that causes annoyance or frustration, often in a situation where a solution is sought. Example: "The constant delays in the project have proven vexing for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Keeping occasional mavericks like Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Evan Bayh of Indiana and Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana in the fold could prove vexing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Parking has also proved vexing.

The New York Times - Sports

And the issue of race proved vexing.

The New York Times

But while the complaint is fairly quotidian, the case proved vexing.

The Economist

Pakistan's relationship with the Taliban has often seemed mysterious and has proved vexing for the Bush Administration.

The New Yorker

But the summer has proved vexing for him, and the two largest items on his appear to be stalled.

The New York Times

It has the support of a veto-proof majority in the City Council, but it is opposed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and some members of the business community and has proved vexing for Ms. Quinn, a Democrat who is trying to cultivate business support as she prepares to run for mayor next year.

The New York Times

But that equality has proved vexing for one particular copy of the Bill of Rights itself.Fourteen Bills of Rights were drafted in 1789: the federal government's copy, which now sits in the National Archives in Washington, DC, and one for each of the 13 original states.

The Economist

That compared with a figure of 60% for bumblebees that came from a colony where the scent of lavender was absent.Precisely why the bumblebees largely ignored social information about lavender and so steadfastly stuck with their personal knowledge about geraniums providing a bigger feast, even when it was no longer so, proved vexing.

The Economist

Undoing the tangle has proved vexing for the government, which has little cash and lots of concerns about the social unrest that could result from dislodging thousands of people who acquired land through urban development plans and agrarian reform laws that were legitimate at the time.

The New York Times

But other attempts at re-imagining controls have proved vexing.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing this phrase. It's appropriate for formal and informal settings, but be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required.

Common error

While "prove vexing" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very informal conversations. Simpler alternatives like "annoying" or "frustrating" might be more appropriate in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prove vexing" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject that has developed into something annoying or problematic. It indicates a state of becoming increasingly troublesome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

12%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prove vexing" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe something that has become increasingly annoying or problematic. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. Analysis of various sources indicates that it's most frequently found in news and media contexts but also appears in scientific and sports-related articles. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "annoying" or "frustrating" in very informal settings. When using "prove vexing", provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact. Related phrases include "become troublesome" and "turn out to be irritating".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become troublesome

Changes the verb to "become" and replaces "vexing" with "troublesome", altering the tone slightly.

turn out to be irritating

Replaces "prove" with "turn out to be" and "vexing" with "irritating", resulting in a more informal expression.

present difficulties

Shifts the focus to the difficulties presented, rather than the act of proving something to be vexing.

cause frustration

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the situation, highlighting the frustration it causes.

pose a challenge

Downplays the negative connotation, framing the situation as a challenge to be overcome.

be a source of annoyance

Directly states that something is causing annoyance, making it less nuanced than "prove vexing".

create complications

Focuses on the complications that arise, rather than the feeling of being vexed.

become problematic

Indicates that something has developed into a problem, which may or may not be vexing.

give rise to difficulties

Similar to "present difficulties", but with a slightly more formal tone.

prove to be a headache

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey the idea of something being troublesome.

FAQs

How can I use "prove vexing" in a sentence?

You can use "prove vexing" to describe something that is causing frustration or annoyance, as in "The constant delays "proved vexing" for the entire team".

What are some alternatives to "prove vexing"?

Alternatives include "become troublesome", "turn out to be irritating", or "present difficulties" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "prove vexing" formal or informal?

"Prove vexing" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more commonly found in written communication or slightly more elevated speech.

What's the difference between "prove vexing" and "is vexing"?

"Prove vexing" implies that something has become annoying or frustrating over time, whereas "is vexing" simply states that something is currently annoying or frustrating. The former suggests a process of aggravation.