at somebody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at somebody" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate direction or focus towards a person, often in contexts involving attention, action, or emotion directed at that person. Example: "She looked at somebody in the crowd and smiled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Somebody was mad at somebody.

The New York Times - Sports

He's shooting at somebody else.

The New York Times

"I can't look at somebody else's mistakes.

The New York Times

I meant to throw it at somebody".

The Guardian

You laugh at somebody who gets up there to sing".

The New York Times

If you look at somebody like… Morrissey – he's sharp.

Independent

You can't just look at somebody and tell".

The New York Times - Magazine

I was fortunate he hit it right at somebody".

The New York Times - Sports

He'll be yelling at somebody and he'll get out".

The New York Times - Sports

Now, you just hope he hits the ball at somebody".

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't have to mean throwing a Franklin at somebody.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at somebody" to clearly indicate the target of an action, emotion, or communication. For example, "He yelled at somebody" is more direct than "He yelled in the general direction."

Common error

Avoid using "at somebody" when a direct object is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "He gave at somebody the book", say "He gave the book to somebody."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at somebody" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating direction, target, or focus toward a person. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts of aiming, looking, laughing, or yelling. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at somebody" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate direction, target, or focus towards a person. Examples from Ludwig highlight its versatility in various contexts, including news, sports, and general communication. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. When writing, ensure that "at somebody" is used to clearly identify the recipient of an action or emotion, and avoid using it in contexts where a direct object or different preposition would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

towards someone

Indicates directionality, similar to "at somebody", but uses a different preposition.

in someone's direction

Rephrases the directionality using "direction" instead of directly targeting a person.

aimed at a person

Specifically indicates targeting or aiming something towards an individual.

intended for someone

Focuses on the intention behind the action directed towards a person.

directed at an individual

Uses a more formal term, "individual", to replace "somebody".

focused on a person

Highlights the focus or attention being given to someone.

targeting a person

Emphasizes the act of targeting someone specifically.

in relation to someone

Indicates a connection or relationship concerning a person.

concerning an individual

Uses "concerning" to denote relation or focus on a person.

with respect to someone

A more formal way of indicating focus or consideration towards a person.

FAQs

How can I use "at somebody" in a sentence?

Use "at somebody" to show direction or focus towards a person. For example, "She was laughing "at somebody"'s joke" or "He threw the ball "at somebody"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "at somebody"?

You can use alternatives like "towards someone", "in someone's direction", or "aimed at a person", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "at somebody"?

While generally correct, be mindful of sentence structure. Ensure the preposition "at" is used appropriately to indicate direction or target, and not where a direct object or different preposition would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "at somebody" and "to somebody"?

"At somebody" usually implies direction or focus, while "to somebody" often indicates giving or communicating something. For example, you might shout "at somebody" but give a gift "to somebody".