Grammar: Angry At, Angry With, Angry About, Angry Over, Mad AT and Mad About?

 

We get “angry with” a person and/or his actions.  Sometimes, AT is used instead of WITH, but ANGRY WITH is more formal and ANGRY AT is more conversational (informal). This is the reason that some teachers consider “angry at” as incorrect, especially if they are strict grammarians.

Examples taken from Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary

He was angry at/with her for staying out so late.

I was angry at/with him for forgetting my birthday.

We use ABOUT or OVER when we are angry about/over a situation, and not the person and/or his actions.

Examples taken from Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary

She is still angry about/over the way she has been treated.

Students are angry about/over the increase in tuition.

What is she so angry about?

In American English, “mad at” and “mad about” are sometimes used instead of “angry with” and “angry about.”

I am mad at (angry with) you.

I am mad about (angry about/over) the tuition fee increase.

However, “mad about + person” is an expression that means love.

Example: “I’m mad about you.”