Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after adjectives

Amused by or amused at?

Both amused by and amused at are standard. By often focuses on the thing causing amusement, while at is common for reactions to actions, remarks, or situations.

Quick answer

Amused by vs. amused at

Use amused by for the source or cause of amusement. Use amused at for reactions to behaviour, comments, or situations. Both are common and sometimes overlap.

We were amused by the comedian.
She seemed amused at his reaction.
The children were amused by the magic tricks.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
amused by + person/thing

Naming the cause of amusement

By commonly introduces the person, performance, or thing that caused amusement.

I was amused by her impression of the teacher.
They were amused by the advertisement.
2
amused at + behaviour/comment

Reacting to a situation or action

At often appears with reactions to remarks, mistakes, or behaviour.

He looked amused at their argument.
She was amused at the misunderstanding.
3
amused with + object

Using with in limited contexts

Amused with can describe entertaining oneself with an object or activity, especially in older or formal styles.

The child was amused with the toy train.
4
amused by + clause

Using by before actions and events

By can also introduce actions or situations that cause amusement.

We were amused by how seriously he took the game.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
amused by
She was amused by the performance.
Focuses on the source or cause of amusement.
amused at
He was amused at their confusion.
Focuses on a reaction to a situation or behaviour.
amused with
The baby was amused with the bright lights.
Less common; often means entertained by or occupied with something.
amused about
She was amused about the mistake.
Less natural than amused by or amused at in most contexts.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using about instead of by or at

About is usually less natural after amused.

✕ We were amused about the joke. ✓ We were amused by the joke.

Confusing amused and funny

Amused describes a person's feeling, while funny describes something that causes laughter.

✕ I am funny by his story. ✓ I am amused by his story.

Using by for emotional targets

At may sound more natural for reactions to behaviour or situations.

✕ She was amused by his rude comment. ✓ She was amused at his rude comment.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The audience was amused ___ the magician.
2. She seemed amused ___ his reaction.
3. Which sentence sounds most natural?

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is amused by correct?

Yes. It is very common when naming the thing or person that caused amusement.

What is the difference between amused by and amused at?

By focuses on the source of amusement, while at often highlights a reaction to behaviour, comments, or situations.

Can I use amused with?

Yes, but it is less common and often means entertained or occupied with something.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? "acceptable to" or "acceptable for"? accessible to, by, for, from or in?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account