bother

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bother" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to causing someone inconvenience or trouble, or when expressing annoyance or concern about something. Example: "I don't want to bother you, but could you help me with this task?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So why bother?

The New York Times

"When he is on the pitch, what is going on around him doesn't bother him.

The Guardian - Sport

From the million-pound apartments of Deansgate to the red-brick terraces of Moston, so many tens of thousands of people here didn't bother to vote at the last election that Lucy Powell, the incumbent Labour MP, was elected in a 2012 byelection with just 12% support in the lowest parliamentary poll turn out since 1945.

The Guardian

He insists he will not engage in any in-your-face evangelising, disturbing those who go to the pub for a quiet pint on a Monday: "I'm not looking to bother anybody.

The Guardian

She added: "Unfortunately I rang the non-emergency number and I'm now thinking why did I bother to do that, because I feel like I got non-action.

The Guardian

She didn't even bother to change out of her wet clothes seeing that half an hour later, another group of boys stopped by and poured another two buckets of water over her head.

The Guardian

As part of the endorsement, which came at the end of his summary of a month of political interviews, Brand also addressed his previous comments during an interview with Jeremy Paxman on the BBC's Newsnight that people should not bother voting, saying he had learned since then.

The Guardian

"The great investigative journalists who wrote the book didn't bother to take the four minutes to check the Asic website," Brown said.

The Guardian

One Tour contender is in a spot of bother - Tejay van Garderen, BMC's promising American rider, damaged his bike in that previous skirmish, and is currently trying to catch up with the main group on a spare set of wheels.

The Guardian - Sport

What was once the industrial heart of Uruguay is now a quiet riverside backwater where nothing much happens - the shops don't bother to open until midday and not at all if it's raining.

The Guardian - Travel

Not only did Tyson not bother to watch Douglas in action, but he barely trained for the fight, bar a few sparring sessions with Greg Page.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bother" to ask if something is an inconvenience, consider the level of formality required. In formal contexts, phrases like "Would it inconvenience you...?" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "bother" in highly formal requests, as it can sometimes sound too casual. Instead, opt for phrases like "trouble" or "inconvenience" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "bother" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of causing annoyance, inconvenience, or disturbance. It can also function as a noun, referring to the state of being annoyed or inconvenienced. As seen in Ludwig, the usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bother" is a versatile word that functions as both a verb and a noun, primarily used to indicate annoyance, inconvenience, or disturbance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the level of formality required in different contexts, opting for alternatives like "trouble" or "inconvenience" in more formal settings. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturb

Similar in meaning to "bother", indicating an interruption or disruption.

annoy

Implies a mild form of irritation, akin to causing someone "bother".

irritate

Suggests a stronger degree of annoyance than "bother".

trouble

Indicates causing someone difficulty or inconvenience, comparable to "bother".

inconvenience

Focuses on the difficulty or disruption caused.

worry

Suggests causing someone anxiety or concern, a form of "bother".

pester

Implies repeated and persistent annoyance.

harass

Indicates a more severe form of annoyance or intimidation.

vex

Means to cause irritation or annoyance.

perturb

Suggests causing someone to be anxious or unsettled.

FAQs

How can I use "bother" in a sentence?

You can use "bother" in sentences like "Would it "bother" you if I opened the window?" or "Don't "bother" me when I'm working".

What's the difference between "bother" and "annoy"?

"Bother" generally implies a mild inconvenience or disturbance, while "annoy" suggests a stronger feeling of irritation. You might "bother" someone with a question, but their constant humming might "annoy" you.

Is it correct to say "Don't bother to" or "Don't bother with"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Don't "bother to"" is used when something is not worth the effort, while "Don't "bother with"" suggests something is not worth considering or dealing with.

What can I say instead of "Don't bother"?

Alternatives include "Don't "don't worry"", "Never mind", "It's okay", or "Forget about it", depending on the context.