Meaning & use
to be angry
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
To feel or show anger; to be in a state of anger.
Grammar: Used as an infinitive phrase after verbs like 'seem', 'want', 'try', or after 'to' in expressions like 'I don't want to be angry.'
Patterns
- to be angry at someone
- to be angry about something
- to be angry with someone
She didn't want to be angry with her friend.
It's easy to be angry when you're tired.
He tried not to be angry about the mistake.
Common combinations
- to be angry at someone
- It's hard not to be angry at someone who lies to you.
- to be angry about something
- She seemed to be angry about the delay.
- to be angry with someone
- I don't want to be angry with you, but I am.
Synonyms and how they differ
- to be mad
- More informal and can also mean 'crazy' in American English; 'angry' is more neutral.
- to be furious
- Much stronger than 'angry'; means extremely angry.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: to be angry or to be hungry?
to be angry vs to be hungry
'Hungry' means needing food; 'angry' means feeling anger. They sound similar but have very different meanings.
Practice
Complete the sentence: She was angry ___ her brother for breaking her toy.
Choose one answer.
We say 'angry at someone' or 'angry with someone'. 'Angry on' and 'angry of' are not used. 'Angry for' is possible but less common and would mean 'because of', not the person.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “to be angry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.