Be Amused To Do vs. Amused By Something distinguishes two directly documented complement patterns for the adjective “amused.” Use amused + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use amused by + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction. The guide stays within those attested patterns and does not infer a broader rule from synonymy.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionEnglish Usage
Quick answer
Use amused + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use amused by + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction.
Key details
Confusion Familyadjective-complement
Rule Familyadjective complementation
Termsamused + to-infinitive, amused by + noun phrase
Choose the right form
Decision table for Be Amused To Do vs. Amused By Something
Complement
Pattern
Use
infinitive event/reaction
amused + to-infinitive
amused to discover ...
source/cause of amusement
amused by + noun/-ing
amused by the comment
Quick tests
Source-versus-event test
Are you presenting an event with an infinitive, or identifying what caused the amusement?
If yes: Use “amused to + verb” for the documented infinitive pattern.
If no: Use “amused by + complement” to identify the person, thing, or event causing amusement.
Caveat: The guide stays with the attested constructions and does not infer broader synonym-based complement rules.
Examples
Example
She was amused to find the note still there.
The infinitive introduces the event connected with the reaction.
Example
She was amused by the note.
“By” identifies the source of amusement.
Example
They were amused by watching the two puppies play.
The -ing complement after “by” names the source of amusement.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use amused + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use amused by + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction.
Style Boundary
Treat this as a comparison of directly documented complement patterns, not as a claim that every other complement is impossible. Choose the construction that matches the intended grammatical relationship.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
Be Afraid To Do vs. Afraid Of Something distinguishes two directly documented complement patterns for the adjective “afraid.” Use afraid + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use afraid of + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction. The page stays within those attested patterns and does not infer a broader rule from synonymy.
Be Alarmed To Do vs. Alarmed At Something distinguishes two directly documented complement patterns for the adjective “alarmed.” Use alarmed + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use alarmed at + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction. The page stays within those attested patterns and does not infer a broader rule from synonymy.
Be Annoyed To Do vs. Annoyed About Something distinguishes two directly documented complement patterns for the adjective “annoyed.” Use annoyed + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use annoyed about + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction. The page stays within those attested patterns and does not infer a broader rule from synonymy.
Be Astonished To Do vs. Astonished At Something distinguishes two directly documented complement patterns for the adjective “astonished.” Use astonished + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use astonished at + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction. The page stays within those attested patterns and does not infer a broader rule from synonymy.
Be Astounded To Do vs. Astounded By Something distinguishes two directly documented complement patterns for the adjective “astounded.” Use astounded + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use astounded at/by + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction. The guide stays within those attested patterns and does not infer a broader rule from synonymy.
Be Concerned To Do vs. Concerned About Something distinguishes two directly documented complement patterns for the adjective “concerned.” Use concerned + to-infinitive for the directly documented infinitival construction; use concerned about + noun phrase for the separately documented prepositional construction. The page stays within those attested patterns and does not infer a broader rule from synonymy.
