was irritated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was irritated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past state of annoyance or displeasure experienced by someone. Example: "She was irritated by the constant noise coming from the construction site next door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The prime minister was irritated but unsurprised.

The Economist

"I was irritated, angry about it.

The Guardian

Another was irritated because its characters seemed causeless rebels.

The Guardian - Books

Zink was irritated, and the more admiration he expressed the pricklier she got.

The New Yorker

He was irritated – and remains so – about how his ideas were presented without nuance.

The Guardian - Business

He was irritated that people here expected him to look & act like Sherlock Holmes.

The New Yorker

The supervisor was irritated, saying, "This is something you should have in your head".

BBC

I was irritated, to say the least.

Huffington Post

I was irritated and initially refused all interviews.

Huffington Post

As a woman, I was irritated for being hit on at a diner.

Vice

Hitchens was irritated.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was irritated", consider the intensity of the feeling you want to convey and choose a synonym if a stronger or milder term is more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "was irritated". Vary your language by using synonyms like "was annoyed" or "was bothered" to add nuance and prevent monotony in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was irritated" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a past state or condition of being annoyed or displeased. It describes someone's emotional state in response to a particular stimulus or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was irritated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express past annoyance or displeasure. As Ludwig AI indicates, its application is broad, spanning from neutral to slightly formal contexts, with a strong presence in News & Media. While versatile, consider using synonyms like "felt annoyed" or "was bothered" to add nuance. Avoiding overuse and diversifying vocabulary is key to effective writing. Always ensure the selected term accurately reflects the intensity of the feeling being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt annoyed

Focuses on the internal feeling of annoyance rather than an external cause.

was put out

Implies a mild feeling of annoyance or inconvenience.

was bothered

Indicates a state of being disturbed or inconvenienced.

was aggravated

Highlights the worsening or intensification of a negative feeling.

was displeased

Emphasizes a lack of satisfaction or approval.

was vexed

Implies a more intense and prolonged state of annoyance.

was exasperated

Expresses a feeling of extreme frustration and impatience.

was provoked

Suggests an external instigation that led to the irritation.

was resentful

Suggests a feeling of bitterness or indignation due to perceived unfairness.

was incensed

Indicates a state of extreme anger or outrage.

FAQs

What's the difference between "was irritated" and "was annoyed"?

"Was annoyed" is generally a milder term than "was irritated". "Was irritated" can imply a stronger sense of frustration or impatience, although they are often used interchangeably. Choose the term that best reflects the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "was irritated"?

You can use alternatives like "felt annoyed", "was displeased", or "was bothered" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "was irritated" in a sentence?

"Was irritated" is used to describe a past state of annoyance or displeasure. For example: "She was irritated by the constant interruptions during the meeting." You can follow it with "by", "at", or "with", depending on what caused the irritation.

Is it correct to say "was irritate" instead of "was irritated"?

No, "was irritate" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was irritated", using the past participle of the verb "irritate". Using "was irritate" would be a grammatical error.