bothered at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bothered at" is not technically correct, as it should be "bothered by" or "bothered with." You can use it in written English when you are referring to being bothered by something or being distressed by something.
For example, "I was bothered at the thought of having to go to the dentist."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She didn't look bothered at all".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The victory apparently bothered at least one race fan.

The New York Times - Sports

Those that aren't bothered at all may well be psychopaths.

The Guardian

He seemed surprised (and more than a little bothered) at all the fuss.

The New York Times

I wasn't thinking big stuff, just that he bothered at all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On the other hand, some people are not bothered at all.

The New York Times - Tech

"The Interahamwe could have been rounded up, but nobody bothered at all".

The New York Times

I like men's clothes when it looks like you haven't bothered at all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And, on the subject of his latest irritant, he seems hardly bothered at all.

The Guardian - Sport

As one psychologist tells Ronson, if you are bothered at the thought of scoring high, then don't worry.

The New York Times - Books

The full-backs were muted, Kyle Walker bothered at times by the high-class menace of Anthony Martial.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Although "bothered at" is frequently used, aim for grammatical correctness by using "bothered by" or "bothered with" in formal writing to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "bothered at"; instead, use "bothered by" to indicate the cause of the disturbance or "bothered with" to indicate something one is burdened with. Choosing the right preposition clarifies your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bothered at" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a state of being affected or disturbed by something. Though common, Ludwig AI highlights that "bothered by" or "bothered with" are grammatically preferred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "bothered at" is commonly found in various sources, it's important to note that it is often considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "bothered by" or "bothered with" as more appropriate alternatives. The phrase aims to convey a sense of annoyance or concern, often found in news articles and general content. For formal writing, adhering to standard grammatical conventions and opting for "bothered by" enhances clarity and precision. The high frequency of "bothered at" indicates its widespread use, but mindful application of grammatically correct alternatives is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoyed by

Indicates a state of being irritated or disturbed by something.

irritated by

Implies a feeling of frustration or impatience due to something.

concerned about

Focuses on a feeling of worry or unease regarding something.

disturbed by

Suggests a disruption of peace or tranquility caused by something.

troubled by

Indicates a state of worry or anxiety caused by something.

perturbed by

Suggests a state of mild anxiety or unease.

vexed by

Implies a feeling of annoyance or frustration.

aggravated by

Indicates a state of being made worse or more intense by something.

unsettled by

Focuses on a feeling of being uneasy or anxious.

put off by

Suggests a feeling of dislike or discouragement.

FAQs

Is "bothered at" grammatically correct?

While "bothered at" is used, it's generally considered incorrect. The standard alternatives are "bothered by" or "bothered with", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "bothered by" and "bothered with"?

"Bothered by" indicates the cause of disturbance (e.g., "I'm "bothered by the noise""), while "bothered with" indicates something one is burdened with (e.g., "I'm "bothered with these tasks"").

How can I use "bothered by" in a sentence?

You can use "bothered by" to express annoyance or disturbance caused by something. For example, "She was "bothered by the constant interruptions"".

What are some alternatives to "bothered at"?

Instead of "bothered at", you can use alternatives such as "annoyed by", "irritated by", or "concerned about" depending on the context.