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Preposition after adjective

Annoyed with or annoyed at?

Both forms are correct. Annoyed with is often used for people or ongoing situations, while annoyed at commonly refers to a specific action or event.

Quick answer

Annoyed with vs. annoyed at

Use annoyed with for people or persistent situations. Use annoyed at for a particular action, remark, or event.

She was annoyed with her roommate.
I was annoyed at the comment.
They became annoyed with the constant noise.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
annoyed with + person

Feeling irritation toward someone

This pattern is common in personal situations.

He seemed annoyed with his assistant.
2
annoyed at + action/event

Reacting to something specific

Use at for a particular cause of annoyance.

We were annoyed at the sudden cancellation.
3
annoyed with + ongoing situation

Describing continuing irritation

With often suggests repeated or continuing annoyance.

Residents are annoyed with the traffic problems.
4
annoyed about + topic

Naming the subject of annoyance

About introduces a general issue or topic.

She's annoyed about the lack of communication.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
annoyed with
I'm annoyed with Jake.
Irritated with a person or ongoing situation.
annoyed at
She was annoyed at the interruption.
Irritated by a specific event or action.
annoyed with a situation
They are annoyed with the poor service.
Possible when the irritation is continuing.
annoyed about
He is annoyed about the delays.
Focuses on the topic or issue.

Common mistakes

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

Using at for long-term irritation

With often sounds more natural for continuing situations.

✕ Residents are annoyed at the constant noise. ✓ Residents are annoyed with the constant noise.

Omitting the preposition

Annoyed usually needs a preposition before the cause.

✕ She was annoyed him. ✓ She was annoyed with him.

Confusing at and about

At often refers to a specific trigger; about names the issue more generally.

✕ He was annoyed at office politics. ✓ He was annoyed about office politics.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. I was annoyed ___ the rude remark.
2. She is annoyed ___ her brother.
3. They are annoyed ___ the lack of updates.

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Frequently asked questions

Can annoyed at be used with people?

Yes, especially when reacting to something a person did.

Is annoyed with more common for relationships?

Yes. It often sounds more personal or ongoing.

What is the difference between annoyed at and annoyed about?

At usually points to a specific trigger, while about refers to a broader topic or issue.

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