a bother

USAGE SUMMARY

'a bother' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to mean something is an annoyance or inconvenience. For example: "Forgetting my umbrella was a bother today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not a bother.

The New York Times

Which was a bother.

The New York Times

Not a bother, Roger.

The Guardian - Sport

I hated to be a bother.

The New York Times

"Not a bother," Mildred says.

The New Yorker

It's fine -- not a bother.

The New York Times - Sports

It's just too much of a bother.

The New York Times

"Don't be a bother," she instructed her daughter.

The New Yorker

He evidently thought me a bother and a fool.

The New Yorker

His breathing was grand, not a bother on him.

The New Yorker

Shifting the coffin would be a bother too, she says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bother" when you want to express that something is causing a slight inconvenience or annoyance, but not necessarily a major problem. It's suitable for everyday situations where you want to downplay the severity of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a bother" in highly formal or professional settings where a more serious or precise term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "an inconvenience" or "a problem" for official communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bother" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe something causing inconvenience. The examples show its use in various contexts, from everyday annoyances to more significant disruptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

24%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bother" is a common and generally accepted way to describe something that causes mild inconvenience or annoyance. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, wiki, and scientific contexts, suggesting a broad applicability but is rarely used in Academia. When using "a bother", be mindful of the context and consider whether a more formal or precise term might be more appropriate, especially in professional settings. While versatile, remember its primary function is to express mild disruption, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an annoyance

Directly points out the irritation caused.

an inconvenience

Focuses on the disruption caused.

a nuisance

Emphasizes the annoyance caused.

a hassle

Highlights the effort and trouble involved.

a pain

Informal way to express annoyance.

a problem

Indicates an issue that needs to be resolved.

a disruption

Focuses on the interruption or disturbance.

a difficulty

Highlights the challenge or complexity.

a complication

Emphasizes the added complexity.

a trial

Highlights the difficulty and testing nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a bother" in a sentence?

You can use "a bother" to describe something that is causing a slight inconvenience or annoyance. For example, "Forgetting my umbrella was "a bother" today".

What are some alternatives to saying "a bother"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an inconvenience", "a nuisance", or "a hassle".

Is it correct to say "it's a bother"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something is causing a slight problem or annoyance.

What's the difference between "a bother" and "a problem"?

"A bother" generally refers to a minor inconvenience, while "a problem" suggests a more significant issue that needs to be resolved.