be mad at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be mad at" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express feelings of anger or frustration towards someone or something. Example: "I can't believe she forgot my birthday; I'm really mad at her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You can't be mad at second place".

The New York Times - Sports

You can't be mad at that play.

The New York Times

It's like: 'Don't be mad at me.

The New York Times - Arts

They'll be mad at me next week.

The Washington Post

Don't be mad at your fans.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't be mad at your legs.

The New Yorker

"You can't be mad at her".

The New York Times

But I couldn't be mad at McCartney.

The New Yorker

"You can be mad at Dan," she'd say, "but you can't be mad at Anton.

The New York Times - Arts

"I can't be mad at Wisconsin, I can't be mad at Stevens Point.

The New York Times

"Don't yell at me — be mad at those kids!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be mad at", ensure that the context clearly indicates the cause of the anger or frustration to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be mad at" in highly formal contexts where a more nuanced or professional term like "displeased with" or "concerned about" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be mad at" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of anger or displeasure directed towards a specific person or thing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid and commonly used construction. The examples provided illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be mad at" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey feelings of anger or frustration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase appearing across various sources, predominantly in News & Media. While generally neutral to informal, it's crucial to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives, such as "be angry with" for professional settings. When using "be mad at", ensure clarity regarding the cause of the emotion to prevent misunderstandings. Remember not to overuse it in situations where nuanced language is better suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be angry with

Expresses anger directly towards a person, similar to "be mad at" but may sound slightly more formal.

be upset with

Indicates a milder form of displeasure or disappointment compared to "be mad at".

be annoyed by

Focuses on the cause of irritation, rather than the person experiencing the emotion.

resent someone

Suggests a feeling of bitterness or indignation towards someone.

hold a grudge against

Implies a long-lasting feeling of resentment.

bear a grudge

Similar to "hold a grudge against", emphasizing the act of carrying resentment.

be indignant at

Conveys righteous anger or outrage.

have a bone to pick with

Implies a desire to confront someone about a grievance.

take offense at

Indicates feeling insulted or hurt by something.

disapprove of

Expresses a negative judgment or disagreement with someone's actions.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "be angry with", "be upset with", or "be annoyed by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be mad at someone"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to express anger or frustration towards someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

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

While both phrases express anger, "be angry with" might sound slightly more formal, whereas "be mad at" is generally considered more casual.

How to use "be mad at" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I was so "be mad at" him for forgetting our anniversary", or "Don't "be mad at" me for being late; the traffic was terrible."