at someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are indicating a direction or focus towards a person, often in expressions of emotion or action. Example: "She threw a glance at someone across the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Laugh at someone else's jokes.

The New York Times

"You want to look at someone holistically.

The New York Times

I shot at someone.

The Guardian

I mean, look at someone like Danny Mays.

The Guardian - Film

They were guests at someone else's party.

The New York Times

"Perhaps they're laughing at someone else".

The New Yorker

"You could look at someone sideways.

The New York Times

Imagine Arnie shouting at someone in German.

The Guardian - Film

It's how you look at someone.

The New York Times - Sports

You look at someone like Henry [Kissinger].

The Guardian

"This is someone aggressively yelling at someone".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at someone", ensure that the verb preceding it aligns with the intended meaning. Verbs like 'look', 'laugh', 'shout', 'point', and 'throw' are commonly used with this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "at someone" with verbs that don't naturally denote direction or focus. For example, instead of saying "He thought at someone", use "He thought about someone" or "He was thinking of someone".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at someone" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating the direction or target of an action or emotion. Ludwig provides examples such as "Laugh "at someone" else's jokes" and "Imagine Arnie shouting "at someone" in German", illustrating its role in specifying the recipient of the verb's action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at someone" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the direction or target of an action or emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news, media and wiki sources. When using "at someone", ensure that the preceding verb aligns with its intended meaning and that the context is clear. Consider alternatives like "towards someone" or "in someone's direction" for nuanced expressions. Avoiding misuse with verbs that don't denote direction is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

towards someone

This alternative directly replaces "at" with "towards", indicating direction.

in someone's direction

A more concise version of "in the direction of someone", implying focus.

in the direction of someone

This phrase elaborates on the direction, providing a more descriptive alternative.

directed at someone

Uses "directed" to emphasize intentionality or focus.

aimed at someone

Implies a target or intention behind the action.

focused on someone

Highlights the concentration or attention given to the person.

on someone

This is a simpler way to indicate focus on a person.

regarding someone

Indicates consideration or concern about the person.

concerning someone

Similar to "regarding", but can imply a more formal context.

upon someone

A more literary or formal way to indicate focus or impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "at someone" to indicate direction or focus of an action or emotion, such as "She smiled "at someone" across the room" or "They were yelling "at someone" in the street".

What are some alternatives to "at someone"?

Alternatives include "towards someone", "in the direction of someone", or "in someone's direction", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "at someone" instead of "to someone"?

"At someone" is used when an action is directed towards a specific person, whereas "to someone" often implies communication or giving something. For example, you might shout "at someone", but speak "to someone".

Is there a difference between 'looking at someone' and 'looking towards someone'?

While similar, 'looking "at someone"' implies more focused attention, whereas 'looking "looking towards someone"' suggests a general direction without necessarily focusing on the person.