take offence at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take offence at' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone has done or said something that you feel insulted or offended by. For example, "She took offence at his harsh words and stormed out of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Prickly leaders routinely take offence at outsiders.

The Economist

I can't take offence at that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some people do take offence at this.

The Guardian - Opinion

She doesn't take offence at this notion.

The Guardian - Film

Don't take offence at Erik van Lieshout's video installation.

The Guardian - Arts

Some people take offence at the term Bond girl.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Some people took offence at us winning.

The Guardian - Music

Some listeners took offence at his tone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"And what one person takes offence at makes another giggle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I took offence at the way he spoke to me.

The Guardian - Sport

The army took offence at the station and got its licence suspended.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take offence at", consider the context and your audience. In some situations, a more neutral expression like "disagree with" might be more appropriate to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Common error

Be cautious about assuming someone intends to cause offense. Before reacting, consider if there might be a misunderstanding or different perspective at play.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take offence at" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of feeling insulted or aggrieved by something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it shows a personal reaction to perceived disrespect or impropriety.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take offence at" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of feeling insulted or upset by something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and readily usable in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse audiences. When considering alternatives, options like "be offended by" or "feel insulted by" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations and the intent behind actions before assuming offense. With its frequent usage and clear meaning, "take offence at" remains a valuable phrase in expressing personal reactions to perceived slights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be offended by

Focuses on the state of being offended, rather than the action of taking offence.

feel insulted by

Highlights the feeling of insult as the primary reaction.

be affronted by

Emphasizes a sense of outrage or indignation, often due to disrespect.

resent

Implies a deeper, more prolonged feeling of bitterness than simply taking offence.

be aggrieved by

Suggests a more formal and possibly public sense of being wronged.

bristle at

Suggests a sudden, defensive reaction to something.

take exception to

Indicates a disagreement or objection, which may or may not involve personal offense.

get upset about

Describes a more general feeling of unhappiness, not necessarily related to offense.

get angry about

Focuses on the anger response, which could be one part of taking offence.

not appreciate

Emphasizes a lack of gratitude or acceptance, which may be related to feeling offended.

FAQs

What does it mean to "take offence at" something?

To "take offence at" something means to feel insulted, upset, or annoyed by it. It implies a personal reaction to something perceived as disrespectful or inappropriate.

Is it "take offence at" or "take offense at"? Which is correct?

"Take offence at" is the British English spelling, while "take offense at" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, depending on the region you are writing for.

What are some alternatives to "take offence at"?

You can use alternatives like "be offended by", "feel insulted by", or "resent" depending on the context.

How can I use "take offence at" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "She "took offence at" his comment about her age."