be rather upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be rather upset" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's emotional state. For example, "He was rather upset when he saw the damage done to his car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When I mildly remarked that members of Eons seemed to be "rather upset," he corrected me: "More than upset.

The New York Times

Judge Block, whose courtroom manner is decidedly avuncular, appears from the transcript to be rather upset by this allegation.

The New York Times

They had managed to destroy him and they would have preferred to see him in misery and they will be rather upset he has escaped it".

The Guardian

We've got no official confirmation of course, Sony will no doubt be rather upset about the leak.

TechCrunch

Here's how.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mission Control reported that Mr. Serebrov and his comrades were "rather upset".

The New York Times - Science

Paul is rather upset by this statement although he doesn't say anything.

The New Yorker

Apparently, Mr. Newmark and Mr. Buckmaster were rather upset at eBay's new business.

The New York Times

Local members, he said, were "rather upset", but would delay any decision until Dorries returned from the jungle.

The Guardian

To Dr. Anny Baumann: March 19 , 1966As you may have gathered, I have been rather upset by many problems in Brazil lately — well, not lately exactly, because they have all gone on since Lota took on the job.

The New Yorker

**{:.break one} **     ** To Dr. Anny Baumann: **{:.break one} ** March 19 , 1966** As you may have gathered, I have been rather upset by many problems in Brazil lately well, not lately exactly, because they have all gone on since Lota took on the job.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be rather upset" to express a moderate level of disappointment or annoyance, suitable for situations where stronger emotions are not warranted.

Common error

Avoid using "be rather upset" when the context suggests a much stronger emotion is appropriate. For instance, describing a bereavement as "being rather upset" would be a significant understatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be rather upset" functions as a predicate within a sentence, describing the emotional state of the subject. It indicates a moderate level of displeasure or annoyance, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be rather upset" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a moderate level of disappointment or annoyance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While suitable for general communication, it's crucial to consider the context and avoid understatement in situations requiring stronger emotional expressions. Alternatives like "be quite annoyed" or "be slightly bothered" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be quite annoyed

This alternative uses "annoyed" instead of "upset", suggesting a slightly milder degree of displeasure.

be rather irritated

This alternative employs "irritated" to convey a feeling of annoyance, similar in intensity but different in expression.

be somewhat disturbed

This uses "disturbed" to indicate a feeling of unease, changing the emotional tone slightly.

be fairly displeased

This uses "displeased" to suggest a more formal and reserved expression of dissatisfaction.

be somewhat aggravated

The alternative uses the term "aggravated" to convey a feeling of frustration or exasperation, adding a subtle shift in emotional intensity.

be a little agitated

This alternative conveys a sense of restlessness and anxiety, shifting the focus from sadness to nervous excitement.

be a little put out

This alternative indicates a feeling of being inconvenienced or slightly offended, adding a layer of emotional complexity.

be slightly bothered

This alternative uses "bothered", indicating a more casual and less intense feeling of irritation.

be somewhat disgruntled

This alternative suggests a feeling of resentful dissatisfaction, offering a nuanced difference in emotional expression.

be a bit perturbed

This uses "perturbed" to indicate a feeling of anxiety and unsettlement, which is a more formal alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "be rather upset" in a sentence?

You can use "be rather upset" to describe someone's moderate disappointment or annoyance. For example, "She might "be rather upset" if you forget her birthday."

What's a less formal way to say "be rather upset"?

Less formal alternatives include "be a little annoyed" or "be slightly bothered", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "be rather upset" to express stronger emotions?

To express stronger emotions, consider phrases like "be extremely upset", "be devastated", or "be furious".

Is "be rather upset" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be rather upset" may sound somewhat informal for very formal contexts. Consider more formal alternatives like "be somewhat displeased" or "be slightly perturbed".