the aggravation

USAGE SUMMARY

"the aggravation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that is making a situation worse or more difficult. For example: "The long wait for our meal was bad enough, but the constant irritable comments from the waiter only added to the aggravation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I need the aggravation.

The New Yorker

Why the aggravation?

The Economist

"Who needs the aggravation?

The New York Times

"The aggravation was worth it.

The New York Times

"I don't need the aggravation".

The New York Times

And some want to avoid the aggravation.

The New York Times

"Good," I think, "I saved myself the aggravation".

The Guardian - Sport

"Expenses (and, therefore, the aggravation) are shared equitably," he adds.

The New York Times

Voters could not see enough change to justify the aggravation.

The Economist

Then again, there are ways to avoid the aggravation altogether.

The New York Times - Sports

Someone in her position, you would think, just doesn't need the aggravation.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the aggravation" when you want to emphasize the increasing severity or troubling aspect of a situation. For example, "The constant delays added to the aggravation of an already stressful project."

Common error

Avoid using "the aggravation" for minor inconveniences. It's more appropriate for situations that genuinely worsen an already negative situation. Instead of saying "Waiting in line was the aggravation", try "Waiting in line was annoying."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the aggravation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting something that causes or increases irritation, annoyance, or trouble. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid in English and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the aggravation" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something that worsens a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is valid and frequently used in English. It's particularly common in news and media, as well as scientific writing, and serves to emphasize the increasing severity or troubling aspect of a situation. When writing, it's important to reserve "the aggravation" for situations that genuinely add to existing problems, avoiding its use for minor annoyances. Semantically similar alternatives include "the annoyance", "the irritation", and "the exasperation", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the annoyance

Focuses more on the feeling of being bothered or irritated.

the irritation

Similar to annoyance, but can also refer to physical discomfort.

the exasperation

Highlights the feeling of intense frustration and impatience.

the difficulty

Emphasizes the problematic or challenging nature of a situation.

the hassle

Suggests a situation that is troublesome and inconvenient.

the problem

A general term for a situation causing trouble or difficulty.

the complication

Highlights the complexity and difficulty added to a situation.

the setback

Focuses on the hindrance or delay caused by the situation.

the burden

Emphasizes the heavy or oppressive nature of the situation.

the inconvenience

Points out the trouble and disruption caused.

FAQs

How can I use "the aggravation" in a sentence?

You can use "the aggravation" to describe something that worsens an already negative situation. For example, "The rain only added to "the aggravation" of being stuck in traffic".

What's a more formal alternative to "the aggravation"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the exacerbation", "the intensification", or "the worsening".

Is it correct to say "an aggravation" instead of "the aggravation"?

While grammatically possible, "an aggravation" is less common and usually refers to a specific instance or cause of annoyance, rather than the general state of being aggravated. "The aggravation" typically refers to the overall increase in severity or annoyance.

What's the difference between "the aggravation" and "the annoyance"?

"The annoyance" generally refers to a feeling of mild irritation or bother. "The aggravation", however, implies something that intensifies an already unpleasant situation, making it more severe or difficult.