that irritates me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that irritates me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing annoyance or displeasure about a specific situation or behavior. Example: "The constant noise from the construction site is something that irritates me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That's standard publishing hyperbole, something that irritates me to no end.

The New York Times

"One thing that irritates me is that this was the steroid era," Jeter said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The thing that irritates me the most is that we're playing the racist card here.

The Guardian - Sport

"To have a child get hysterical just for the sake of having a picture, that irritates me no end".

The New York Times

No, Mr. Butler didn't actually take over the "cybercrime underground". That's standard publishing hyperbole, something that irritates me to no end.

The New York Times

One thing that irritates me about modern politics is how many people measure a politician's oratorical skills by whether they agree with them or not.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It was very comforting that the things that irritated me about France he also found irritating".

The Guardian - Books

SCOTT -- A movie that irritated me was "21 Grams".

The New York Times

It was to me a sort of inaccuracy that irritated me," says Pleshette Willis, who says she otherwise enjoyed the pilot.

The Washington Post

In an effort to spark their interest, I share with them some of the many issues that irritate me.

The New York Times

"I guess there's a lot of things about the modern world that irritate me, but – hey! – just as long as I can turn it into something funny".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that irritates me" to express a direct and personal feeling of annoyance. Ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the irritation for maximum impact.

Common error

While "that irritates me" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "that is a source of concern" or "that presents a challenge" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that irritates me" functions as a subject complement following a linking verb (is, seems, etc.). It identifies a particular thing or situation as the cause of personal irritation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that irritates me" is a common and grammatically sound way to express personal annoyance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in many contexts, although the level of formality should be considered. While versatile, remember to adjust the phrase to be more precise to the context you are using. High-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its appropriate use, further validating its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that annoys me

Replaces "irritates" with a more common synonym, slightly altering the tone.

that bothers me

Uses a more general term for disturbance, making it slightly less intense.

that frustrates me

Shifts the focus to the feeling of being prevented from achieving something.

that vexes me

Employs a more formal and less common word for annoyance.

that peeves me

Uses a more informal and mild term for irritation.

that grates on me

Implies a gradual and persistent source of annoyance.

that rubs me the wrong way

An idiomatic expression indicating something causes discomfort or unease.

that gets under my skin

Another idiomatic expression suggesting something causes persistent irritation.

that provokes me

Indicates a stronger reaction of being deliberately incited or angered.

that riles me up

Suggests a more intense emotional response, leading to agitation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that irritates me"?

You can use alternatives like "that annoys me", "that bothers me", or "that frustrates me" depending on the context.

Is "that irritates me" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. For highly formal documents, alternatives like "that is a cause for concern" or "that presents difficulties" may be more appropriate.

How to use "that irritates me" in a sentence?

You can use it to express your annoyance with something specific. For example, "The constant noise from the construction site is something "that irritates me"."

What's the difference between "that irritates me" and "that frustrates me"?

"That irritates me" expresses a feeling of annoyance, while "that frustrates me" implies a feeling of being blocked or hindered. The choice depends on whether you are primarily annoyed or feeling thwarted.