Question

Which is the right way to say it - "bored of" or "bored with"?

2023-06-26

This is what goPenpal answered

When it comes to expressing your lack of interest or enthusiasm, it's common to use the phrase "bored with" rather than "bored of." So if you want to say, "I'm bored with this movie," you'd be expressing yourself accurately. While some people might use "bored of" in informal conversations, it's not considered standard English.

Now, let's understand the rationale behind this preference. The preposition "with" implies a sense of being associated or connected with something. So when you say, "I'm bored with something," it suggests that you were previously engaged or interested in that particular thing, but now you find it uninteresting. It's like you had a friend, but now you've grown tired of their company.

On the other hand, "bored of" doesn't convey the same sense of connection. It's more like saying, "I'm fed up with something" without any implication of prior interest or engagement. It's like being stuck in a waiting room with no entertainment, feeling restless and desperate for something interesting to happen.

So, to sound more linguistically accurate, stick with "bored with" when expressing your lack of interest or enthusiasm. Remember, language is a dynamic and ever-changing entity, but it's always helpful to know the conventional way of expressing ourselves. 👍

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