was he bothering you vs did he bother you

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Was he bothering you?' is used to ask about a continuous action in the past, while 'Did he bother you?' is used to ask about a specific action in the past. The choice between the two depends on the specific situation being referred to.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 3291 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about a continuous action in the past.

"was he bothering you"

This phrase is used to inquire if someone was causing annoyance or trouble over a period of time in the past.

Examples:

Was he bothering you during the meeting?
Was he bothering you while you were trying to work?
Was he bothering you all day yesterday?

Show examples from the web [+]

- Is he bothering you again?
Why is he bothering you with it?
Why is he bothering you after all these years?
Is he bothering you, sir?
Hope those clowns weren't bothering you.
Will not be bothering you again.
Your shoulder's still bothering you.
He feels terrible about bothering you all.
That wasn't bothering you before.
I can sense something is still bothering you.
I promise not to come bothering you any more.
Let me know if any of the other passengers are bothering you.
That will stop your conscience bothering you.
Just tell Dr. Prentiss what's bothering you.
Ethan won't be bothering you anymore.
That's not what's really bothering you.
Is that guy still bothering you?
Love is trusting someone enough to tell them what's really bothering you.
Love is trusting someone enough to tell them what's really bothering you.
Whatever it is, it's still bothering you.

Alternatives:

Was he being a bother to you?
Was he causing you trouble?
Was he getting on your nerves?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about a specific action in the past.

"did he bother you"

This phrase is used to ask if someone caused annoyance or trouble at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

Did he bother you with his constant questions?
Did he bother you when he arrived unannounced?
Did he bother you during the movie?

Show examples from the web [+]

Did he say something to bother you?
Why did he bother sending a messenger?
Let me know if he bothers you again.
If he bothers you at school today, just call a cop.
And if he bothers you again, you just tell him to see me.
If this was just a trick, why did he bother to get the actual quarter I need?
If he bothers you, come and get me. I'll put him in his place, and fast.
I really doubt he'd bother you.
Nobody bothers you on this bus.
But they needn't bother you.
It only bothers me that it bothers you, because you think it bothers me.
It may not bother you, but it bothers me.
If it bothers you, let it bother you.
If they bother you again, let us know.
Sorry to bother you, Captain.
Sorry. Sorry to bother you, ma'am.
It's really lame that that bothers you.
Riley. I'm really sorry to bother you at Travis' school.
Sorry to bother you, Mr. Queen.
I'm not here to bother you.

Alternatives:

Was he a bother to you?
Did he cause you trouble?
Did he get on your nerves?

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was he bothering you vs did he bother you