bother to do something

Meaning

This phrase means to make the effort to do something, especially when it requires some energy, time, or trouble. It is very frequently used in negative sentences (e.g., 'didn't bother') to show that someone was too lazy, indifferent, or uninterested to do a task.

Examples

• He didn't even bother to read the instructions before assembling the shelf.

  He didn't even bother to read the instructions before assembling the shelf.

• If you don't bother to RSVP, they won't reserve a seat for you.

  If you don't bother to RSVP, they won't reserve a seat for you.

• I was so tired last night that I didn't bother to cook dinner.

  I was so tired last night that I didn't bother to cook dinner.

• Thank you for taking the time; most people wouldn't bother to help a stranger.

  Thank you for taking the time; most people wouldn't bother to help a stranger.

• Why should I bother to apply for the job if they've already chosen someone?

  Why should I bother to apply for the job if they've already chosen someone?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He didn't bother for doing his homework.

  ✓ He didn't bother to do his homework.

  'Bother' can be followed by an infinitive ('to do') or a gerund ('doing'), but not 'for doing'.

• ✗ Don't bother to yourself to clean up.

  ✓ Don't bother to clean up.

  You do not need to add a reflexive pronoun like 'yourself' directly after 'bother' in this structure.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The service was so bad that we didn't ___ leave a tip.

  💡 Make the effort to.

  Show answer

  bother to

• Why should we ___ walk all the way there when we can take a taxi?

  💡 Put in the effort to.

  Show answer

  bother to