be very offended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be very offended" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong emotional reaction to something that is perceived as disrespectful or hurtful. Example: "If you make that joke in front of her, she will be very offended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The sounds of all those people, glasses and chatter- I mean, I know you're supposed to be very offended and all, but I like it.

The New Yorker

I was thinking that when I would talk to Jaruzelski, he would be very offended and he would attack me.

Huffington Post

How dat happened?" Straight men (especially if they are religious or of color) tend to be very offended, or very proud.

Huffington Post

If you're 29 or over, say you're 29! Be VERY offended when people think (or know) you're over 30 when people laugh when you say you are 29 you say *ha ha what's so funny?* Have great fashion sense.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was very offended.

The Guardian - Film

Anyway, I was very offended.

The New Yorker

Cora was very offended.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Latinos are very offended.

The Guardian

An awful lot of people are very offended.

The Guardian

"I'm very offended by that," he said.

The New York Times

"You know, a lot of the scientists were very offended by that speech," he recalled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be very offended" to express a strong, personal reaction to something considered disrespectful or hurtful. Ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the offense.

Common error

Avoid using "be very offended" too frequently in your writing, as it can diminish the impact. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to vary your expression of offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be very offended" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject and expressing a state of feeling or emotion. It indicates a strong negative reaction to something perceived as disrespectful, hurtful, or wrong, as seen in Ludwig examples like "Latinos are very offended" and "I was very offended".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be very offended" is a common way to express strong displeasure or resentment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, consider the formality of your setting and choose synonyms like "take great offense" or "feel deeply insulted" if a more formal tone is needed. To use the phrase correctly, ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the offense and avoid overusing it to maintain its impact. It's generally neutral in register, but more formal alternatives exist for certain professional settings. This phrase clearly communicates a personal feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take great offense

Emphasizes the act of being offended, suggesting a strong reaction.

feel deeply insulted

Focuses on the emotional impact of the offense, highlighting the personal hurt.

be highly indignant

Indicates a sense of righteous anger and offense, often in response to perceived injustice.

be outraged by

Conveys a sense of strong anger and shock in response to something offensive.

be extremely displeased

Suggests a strong level of dissatisfaction and disapproval.

resent strongly

Focuses on a lingering feeling of bitterness and offense.

bristle at

Implies a sudden and defensive reaction to something offensive.

take exception to

Indicates a formal disagreement and offense taken at a particular statement or action.

be affronted

A more formal and less common way to express being offended.

be aggrieved

Suggests a feeling of being wronged or unjustly treated, leading to offense.

FAQs

How can I use "be very offended" in a sentence?

You can use "be very offended" to express a strong personal reaction to something. For example, "She will "be very offended" if you criticize her work in public".

What are some alternatives to "be very offended"?

Alternatives include "take great offense", "feel deeply insulted", or "be outraged by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "be very offended" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be very offended" might be perceived as slightly informal for certain contexts. Consider more formal alternatives like "take strong exception to" in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "be very offended" and "be slightly offended"?

"Be very offended" expresses a much stronger emotional reaction compared to "be slightly offended". The former indicates a significant level of displeasure or hurt, while the latter suggests mild irritation.