be upset with

USAGE SUMMARY

"be upset with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person feeling angry or frustrated about a particular situation or person. For example, "She was upset with him for not coming home on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Will liberals be upset with Tim Kaine?

The Washington Post

"Wouldn't they be upset with us if we quit?

The New York Times

There were no outward signs that he might be upset with his country.

The Washington Post

The supervisor said Mr. Halloran appeared to be upset with that answer.

The New York Times

But I know some teams are going to be upset with the travel.

The New York Times

But Brandt, too, has a personal reason to be upset with Wikipedia.

MIT Technology Review

I can understand why someone could be upset with an automatic gratuity.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can only make mistakes and be upset with yourself a limited number of times.

The Guardian - Sport

Now she worried that when her husband learned of the baby's fall, he would be upset with her.

The New York Times

People can be upset with you for a day if they recognize the long-term value of your advice.

Harvard Business Review

He still doesn't know who he'll be supporting in November, but said he wouldn't be upset with either choice.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be upset with", ensure the object of the preposition 'with' is clearly defined. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands who or what is causing the upset.

Common error

Avoid using "be upset at" when referring to a person. While "at" can be used to express anger towards a situation or event, "with" is generally preferred when the object of the upset is a person. For example, say "I am upset with him" rather than "I am upset at him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be upset with" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, indicating a state of emotional distress directed towards a specific person or entity. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it’s used to express feelings of anger or frustration. Numerous examples across diverse sources confirm this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be upset with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express feelings of anger, disappointment, or frustration towards someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard expression in English, suitable for various contexts, although potentially less formal than alternatives in academic or business settings. The phrase sees frequent usage in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing emotional distress or displeasure. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying the object of your upset, and avoid the common mistake of substituting "at" for "with" when referring to a person.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be angry at

This alternative replaces "upset" with "angry", indicating a stronger emotion.

be displeased with

This is a more formal way of expressing dissatisfaction.

be frustrated with

This highlights the feeling of being blocked or hindered, leading to upset.

be annoyed by

This suggests a milder form of displeasure compared to being upset.

be irritated by

Similar to "annoyed", but can imply a slightly more prolonged or intense feeling.

be aggravated by

Indicates a feeling of being made worse or more intense.

resent someone

This implies a deeper sense of bitterness or indignation.

hold a grudge against

This suggests a long-lasting feeling of resentment.

bear a grievance against

A formal way of expressing a complaint or resentment.

have a bone to pick with

An informal expression for wanting to discuss a complaint or disagreement.

FAQs

How to use "be upset with" in a sentence?

The phrase "be upset with" is used to express that someone is feeling angry, disappointed, or unhappy about something, especially related to a person's actions. For example, "She was upset with her brother for breaking her toy."

What can I say instead of "be upset with"?

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

Which is correct, "be upset with" or "be upset at"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Be upset with" is typically used when you're upset with a person, while "be upset at" is used for situations or things. For example: "I am upset with John" versus "I am upset at the situation."

What's the difference between "be upset with" and "be disappointed in"?

"Be upset with" implies a degree of anger or frustration, while "be disappointed in" suggests a feeling of sadness or letdown because someone or something didn't meet expectations. For example, you might "be upset with" someone for lying, but "be disappointed in" them for not trying harder.