be mad about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be mad about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong feelings of anger or annoyance towards someone or something. Example: "I can't believe he did that; I'm really mad about his behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The names of players will come out that people will be mad about," Moreno told The Los Angeles Times.

The New York Times - Sports

"[People are] just grabbing at something to be mad about," singer Tank said.

HuffPost

He must be mad about soemthing.

University of California, Berkeley

I can't be mad about that.

The New York Times - Sports

What good is punk with nothing to be mad about?

The New York Times - Arts

"We got a lot to be mad about.

The New York Times - Sports

It is now your job to be mad about it.

The Guardian - Books

"I bet old Griffin's going to be mad about that," Rice said.

The New Yorker

Mostly, though, I just try not to be mad about it anymore".

The New York Times - Sports

It's not even that they don't want it, they would be mad about it.

The Guardian - Books

At the end of the day it's business, so why would I be mad about it?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be mad about" in writing, consider your audience and adjust the level of formality accordingly. While widely accepted, it's less formal than "be indignant about".

Common error

While "be mad about" is widely understood, it may not be suitable for all formal writing situations. Overusing it in academic or professional documents can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using more formal alternatives like "be displeased with" or "be indignant about" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be mad about" functions as a predicate adjective expressing a state of anger or annoyance. It describes the subject's emotional state in relation to a specific object or situation. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be mad about" is a commonly used phrase to express anger or annoyance. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted, although it may be less formal than alternatives like "be indignant about". The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and while often interchangeable, it's important to consider your audience and choose the most appropriate level of formality. Several alternatives, such as "be angry about" or "be upset about", can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be angry about

Direct synonym, expressing the same sentiment of anger but is slightly more general.

be furious about

Indicates a higher degree of anger than "be mad about".

be upset about

Implies a feeling of disappointment or unhappiness, which is less intense than anger.

be annoyed by

Suggests a mild form of anger or irritation.

be irritated by

Expresses slight anger or impatience.

be resentful of

Implies a feeling of bitterness or indignation, often directed towards someone else's success or advantages.

be indignant about

Expresses anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.

be displeased with

Indicates dissatisfaction or disapproval.

be outraged by

Suggests a strong emotional reaction of shock and anger.

take exception to

A more formal way of expressing disagreement or annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "be mad about" in a sentence?

You can use "be mad about" to express anger or annoyance towards something. For example, "I can't believe they cancelled the event; I'm really mad about it".

What can I say instead of "be mad about"?

You can use alternatives like "be angry about", "be upset about", or "be furious about" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "be mad about" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "be mad about" is less formal. Consider using more formal alternatives like "be displeased with" or "be indignant about" in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "be mad about" and "be angry about"?

The phrases "be mad about" and "be angry about" are largely synonymous and often interchangeable. However, "be mad about" can sometimes imply a slightly more intense or emotional reaction than "be angry about".