Cool MateFrustrating vs Trying
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Frustrating
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Trying
Top 2,000 (common)
| Frustrating | Trying | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/frʌˈstreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfrʌstreɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Making someone feel annoyed or upset. | Making an effort to do something. |
| Example | It's frustrating to have to wait so long. | She is trying to finish her homework before dinner. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, prove, become, extremely, fairly, very, for | trying hard, trying times, trying situation, trying new things, trying your luck |
| Antonyms | reassuring, satisfying, easy | giving up, quitting |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'frustrating' with 'frustrated' (feelings vs. causes)., 'Frustrating' is sometimes misused to describe people instead of situations. | Confused with 'try' and 'attempt' - 'trying' emphasizes effort., Using 'trying' as an adjective incorrectly without context., Forgetting to use 'to' after 'trying' when followed by another verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'frustrating' to describe situations or experiences that cause irritation. It's suitable for everyday conversations but may sound too informal in very formal writing. | Use 'trying' when describing efforts; it can be emotional or physical. More common in informal settings when discussing challenges. |
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Frequently asked questions: Frustrating vs Trying
What's the difference between Frustrating and Trying?
Frustrating: Making someone feel annoyed or upset. Trying: Making an effort to do something.
Can you show an example of each?
Frustrating: It's frustrating to have to wait so long. Trying: She is trying to finish her homework before dinner.
Can I use Frustrating and Trying interchangeably?
Not always. Frustrating and Trying are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.