testing my patience

USAGE SUMMARY

"testing my patience" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express frustration or irritation with a situation or person that is being difficult or causing delays. Here is an example: "The constant delays and changes to the project are really testing my patience." In this example, the speaker is expressing frustration with the project's progress and the challenges it has presented.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's testing my patience".

The New York Times

When Joe is testing my patience, it's difficult to be alone as a parent.

The New York Times

"The 48 is testing my patience, I can tell you that," Gordon, who finished 22nd, said, referring to Johnson's car number.

The New York Times - Sports

In any case, lately my friend has adopted this "I love you, now go away" persona that's testing my patience.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"The hairdo really tested my patience," she said.

The New York Times

"We know what they're doing, and it has tested my patience".

The New York Times

So Simon Kelner's mean-spirited carping about Jeremy Corbyn's Christmas card tested my patience to its limit.

Independent

I'm not one to fault a pianist for occasional smudgy passagework, but Mr. Levin tested my patience.

The New York Times - Arts

"Do not test my patience," Fitzgerald told Rose's lawyer, ordering him to write an explanation of why he shouldn't be fined $1,000 for violating the rules of the court.

The Guardian

In the second movement, a nostalgic and slightly sentimental minuet ("What the Flowers of the Meadow Tell Me"), Mr. Maazel again tested my patience with his penchant for micromanaging the shape of every melodic phrase, right down to the slight stretching of a triplet.

The New York Times

"It's tested my patience for a long time.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "testing my patience" to express a situation where something or someone is actively pushing the boundaries of your ability to remain calm and tolerant. It's suitable for conveying frustration in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "testing my patience" too frequently in your writing, as it can make you sound overly negative or easily agitated. Vary your language by using synonyms like "trying my patience" or "getting on my nerves" to maintain a balanced and nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "testing my patience" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that someone or something is causing frustration and pushing the speaker's ability to remain calm. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe frustrating situations or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "testing my patience" is a common expression used to convey frustration or irritation when someone or something is pushing the limits of one's ability to remain calm. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts. While it's a useful way to express annoyance, it's important to vary your language to avoid sounding overly negative. Consider alternatives like "trying my patience" or "getting on my nerves" to maintain a balanced and nuanced tone in your writing. Ludwig provides several examples of its usage in real-world contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying my patience

Emphasizes the act of someone or something actively pushing one's limits.

testing my limits

Focuses on the boundary of what one can endure, rather than the emotional state.

straining my patience

Suggests a greater degree of pressure and difficulty in remaining patient.

pushing my buttons

Highlights the intentional or unintentional triggering of annoyance.

getting on my nerves

A more informal way of expressing annoyance or irritation.

wearing thin

Indicates that one's patience is diminishing and becoming depleted.

taxing my patience

Implies that something is demanding and burdensome on one's ability to be patient.

challenging my patience

Suggests that the situation is difficult and requires effort to remain patient.

trying my last nerve

Expresses extreme frustration and the feeling of being at the end of one's rope.

exasperating me

Highlights the frustrating and irritating nature of something.

FAQs

What does "testing my patience" mean?

The phrase "testing my patience" means that something or someone is causing you to feel annoyed, irritated, or frustrated, and is pushing the limits of your ability to remain calm and tolerant.

What can I say instead of "testing my patience"?

You can use alternatives like "trying my patience", "straining my patience", or "getting on my nerves" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "testing my patience" in formal writing?

While "testing my patience" is generally understood, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives that convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

How do I use "testing my patience" in a sentence?

You can use "testing my patience" to describe a situation or person that is causing you frustration, such as: "The constant delays are really "testing my patience"" or "His constant interruptions are "testing my patience"".