Annoyed vs Kept bugging her for a date

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Annoyed

Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective

Kept bugging her for a date

InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: AnnoyedMost common: Annoyed
 AnnoyedKept bugging her for a date
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əˈnɔɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈnɔɪd/"]/🇬🇧 //kɛpt ˈbʌɡɪŋ hɜːr fə ə deɪt//🇺🇸 //kɛpt ˈbʌɡɪŋ hɜr fɔr ə deɪt//
MeaningFeeling bothered or irritated by something.Constantly asking someone out on a date.
ExampleHe was beginning to get very annoyed with me about my carelessness.He kept bugging her for a date until she finally said yes.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about, at, bykept bugging me, kept bugging him, kept bugging for a date, kept bugging about it
Antonymspleased, happy, satisfied-
Common mistakesConfusing 'annoyed' with 'angry'., Using 'annoy' without a subject, as in 'I am annoy'., 'Annoyed of' instead of 'annoyed by'.Confusing with 'bugging' as a noun versus verb., Using 'kept bug' instead of 'kept bugging'., Misunderstanding the context; don't use with serious subjects.
Usage notesUse 'annoyed' to express feelings of irritation or displeasure. It is neutral and can be used in a variety of contexts, but avoid using it in very formal situations. Consider using 'frustrated' in more serious contexts.Use 'kept bugging' in casual settings, often among friends. Avoid in formal writing.

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Kept bugging her for a date

Frequently asked questions: Annoyed vs Kept bugging her for a date

What's the difference between Annoyed and Kept bugging her for a date?

Annoyed: Feeling bothered or irritated by something. Kept bugging her for a date: Constantly asking someone out on a date.

Which is more formal: Annoyed and Kept bugging her for a date?

Annoyed is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Annoyed and Kept bugging her for a date?

Annoyed is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Annoyed: He was beginning to get very annoyed with me about my carelessness. Kept bugging her for a date: He kept bugging her for a date until she finally said yes.

Can I use Annoyed and Kept bugging her for a date interchangeably?

Not always. Annoyed and Kept bugging her for a date 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.