Angry at/Angry with

[Memar]

What is the difference between "I am angry with him" and "I am angry at him" ?

 

[2006]

What is the difference between "I am angry with him" and "I am angry at him" ?

Until a few decades ago, I only heard 'angry at him'. 'angry with him' seems to be new, and I don't know where it came from. Maybe it came from 'I am happy with him.'


I prefer 'angry at him'. And I would only say 'My anger is directed at him.' I would not say 'My anger is directed with him.'

I am interested in the comments of others.

 

[MegaEriable]

What is the difference between "I am angry with him" and "I am angry at him" ?

They have somehow a same meaning, both indicating angriness at/with some one.

If you're mad at some one, you could be either angry with or angry at him or her, both cases are correct in my opinion.

 

[Barb_D]

I don't see any difference at all.

 

[probus]

Until a few decades ago, I only heard 'angry at him'. 'angry with him' seems to be new, and I don't know where it came from. Maybe it came from 'I am happy with him.'


I prefer 'angry at him'. And I would only say 'My anger is directed at him.' I would not say 'My anger is directed with him.'

I am interested in the comments of others.

I am a 64 year old native of North America and a former English teacher. I have also spent several years living in England and India. I'm with BarbD -- in my experience "angry with" and "angry at" are synonymous and equally correct.

 

[2006]

I am not suggesting that 'angry with him' should be banished or that I think it has a different meaning. I just grew up with 'angry at him' and I personally am not inclined to start saying 'angry with him'.

Just out of interest, would any of you say something like 'Your anger should be directed with him.'?

 

[Raymott]

You could also check here:
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/134276-angry.html

 

[5jj]

Just out of interest, would any of you say something like 'Your anger should be directed with him.'?

No. That must be 'at'. - It is 'direct... at', not 'anger at'.

 

[2006]

No. That must be 'at'. - It is 'direct... at', not 'anger at'.

Thanks, you made me realize that I should have written the following.

Would anyone say 'You should direct your anger with him.'?

 

[5jj]

Thanks, you made me realize that I should have written the following.

Would anyone say 'You should direct your anger with him.'?

No. Same reason.

 

[Raymott]

Would anyone say 'You should direct your anger with him.'?

Maybe.
'You should direct your anger with him towards someone more appropriate.'
But that's a red herring, as 5jj has pointed out.