Complaining means expressing dissatisfaction.
The idea
Use complain to someone about something, or follow complain with a clause introduced by that. The past is complained.
Examples
- We complained to the manager about the noise.
- The guest complained about the cold room.
- I complained to the driver about the delay.
- They complained that the soup was salty.
- She never complains about the rain.
- Did you complain to the landlord?
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not place the person directly after the verb: say complain to the manager.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct answer. The customer complained ___ the receptionist. (to / about)
Show answer or example answer
to
to introduces the person hearing the complaint.
Choose the correct answer. We complained ___ the broken lift. (about / to)
Show answer or example answer
about
about introduces the problem.
Choose the correct answer. Yesterday the tenants ___ about the heating. (complained / complain)
Show answer or example answer
complained
complained refers to a past complaint.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct answer. The customer complained ___ the receptionist. (to / about)
Choose the correct answer. We complained ___ the broken lift. (about / to)
Choose the correct answer. Yesterday the tenants ___ about the heating. (complained / complain)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe a problem you might complain about and whom you would tell.