bouts of anger

USAGE SUMMARY

'bouts of anger' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe periodic and unpredictable episodes of strong anger. For example, "After dealing with this stress at work for so long, I've been having bouts of anger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I tried to compensate for his bouts of anger.

The New Yorker

After returning home in late 2007, he struggled with depression, excessive drinking and bouts of anger and crying.

The New York Times

In testimony, Ms. Barrett, an aspiring interior designer, said the attack had left her afraid of crowds, and suffering from memory loss and bouts of anger.

The New York Times

Others are prone to bouts of anger, and some steal the food from the plates of their fellow patients; my mum, she just smiles.

The Guardian - Opinion

The mid-teen years were turbulent, racked with bouts of anger, misunderstanding and arguments with most of the people around me.

The Guardian - Opinion

My mother, who has had the disease for five years, has also bouts of anger and aggression associated with the disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Ms. Tillett, 29, was pregnant with her second child last year when the baby's father, her former boyfriend, from whom she had already separated, came to her apartment one night and, in a bout of anger, began pummeling her.

The New York Times

Politics has been obsessing a lot of people lately, and Ursula K. Le Guin is far from immune to bouts of political anger.

The New Yorker

He experiences bouts of uncontrollable anger which have contributed to the dissolution of most of his personal relationships, including ours.

Huffington Post

The journey has had its ups and downs, confusing and awkward moments, bouts of sadness, anger, and anxiety.

Huffington Post

"Perhaps in his state he did not consider the consequences of his actions, or perhaps he did not care because he was consumed with ending his life," she wrote, adding that drug-taking or a bout of extreme anger may also explain his actions.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's emotional state, use "bouts of anger" to indicate that the anger is not constant, but rather occurs in distinct episodes. This provides a more nuanced understanding of their behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "bouts of anger" to describe someone who is generally irritable or short-tempered. The phrase implies distinct episodes, not a continuous state. For persistent irritability, consider phrases like "chronic irritability" or "easily agitated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of anger" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts to describe recurring instances of anger.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bouts of anger" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe recurring episodes of strong anger. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to characterize someone's emotional state, often found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects intermittent rather than constant anger. Consider alternatives like "outbursts of anger" or "episodes of rage" to fine-tune the meaning. Remember that "bouts of anger" differs from "anger issues", which denotes a more chronic condition. With a neutral register, this phrase is suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outbursts of anger

Emphasizes sudden and forceful expressions of anger, similar to "bouts of anger" but with a focus on the outward display.

episodes of rage

Highlights the intensity of the anger, suggesting a more extreme and uncontrolled state.

fits of fury

Conveys a sense of uncontrollable and intense anger, often implying a temporary loss of composure.

moments of wrath

Implies brief but powerful instances of anger, often associated with a sense of judgment or retribution.

periods of irritability

Focuses on the underlying state of unease and agitation that can lead to anger, suggesting a more prolonged but less intense experience.

waves of resentment

Highlights the feeling of bitterness and injustice that fuels the anger, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

eruptions of temper

Suggests a sudden and uncontrolled release of anger, often implying a lack of self-control.

displays of irritation

Focuses on the outward manifestations of anger, such as facial expressions or tone of voice, rather than the internal feeling.

surges of animosity

Conveys a strong feeling of dislike or hostility that arises suddenly and intensely.

intervals of frustration

Highlights the feeling of being blocked or thwarted, which can lead to anger. Focuses on the cause rather than the anger itself.

FAQs

How can I use "bouts of anger" in a sentence?

"Bouts of anger" describes recurring episodes of strong anger. For example, "After the accident, he experienced frequent "bouts of anger"." Use it when the anger is not constant but comes and goes.

What phrases are similar to "bouts of anger"?

Similar phrases include "outbursts of anger", "episodes of rage", or "fits of fury". The choice depends on the intensity and context of the anger you want to describe.

Is it correct to say "bouts of anger" or should it be "bouts with anger"?

"Bouts of anger" is the standard and correct phrasing. "Bouts with anger" is less common and may sound awkward. The preposition "of" correctly indicates that the bouts consist of anger.

What is the difference between "bouts of anger" and "anger issues"?

"Bouts of anger" refers to specific, recurring episodes of anger, while "anger issues" describes a more general, ongoing problem with managing anger. "Anger issues" implies a chronic condition, whereas "bouts of anger" suggests periodic occurrences.