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Complaining and protesting A
Expressions connected with complaining It is important to use these expressions in appropriate situations. Some examples are given here. The expressions in each group go more or less from weaker to stronger, but much depends on who you are speaking to and what the situation is. More common in informal situations You’ve got to do something about that window of yours. It rattles in the wind and keeps me awake. For goodness’ sake! I’m fed up with / sick of all your moaning and grumbling. Cheer up! Look here! I’ve just about had enough of your stupid comments. Look, this is just not on! You promised to be here by two o’clock and it’s almost three! [not acceptable]
Enough is enough! Please, no more arguments – be nice to each other! More neutral in tone I’m not at all satisfied with the service I’ve received. Something will have to be done about that pile of rubbish. It can’t be left in front of the house. I wish you would turn your radio down. I wish you wouldn’t play your music so loudly. You never help around the house. It just won’t do! You’re going to have to change your ways. More common in formal situations (typically in connection with bad service or behaviour) I wish to complain about the delay in delivering my order. The carpet in my room is stained and dirty. This is most unsatisfactory. I take great exception to your unfair comments about our committee. I really must object to being made to wait so long before seeing the manager. The water pipe you have repaired three times in our kitchen is leaking again. This is (simply) unacceptable. Your bus driver left the children by the roadside in pouring rain with no adult in attendance. This is shameful. [should make you feel embarrassed and guilty]
B
Verbs and nouns relating to complaining and protesting verb
meaning
noun
complain (about)
express dissatisfaction or annoyance
complaint
protest (about) /prəˈtest/
strongly express complaint, disapproval or disagreement
protest /ˈprəʊtest/
object (to)
be against something or someone
objection
remonstrate with somebody / remonstrate about something
complain to someone / complain about something; formal
remonstrance (very formal and not common)
find fault (with)
criticise or complain about even small mistakes
fault-finding
grumble (about)
complain in a quiet but angry way
grumble
gripe (about)
to complain continuously; informal
gripe
grouse (about)
to complain, usually often; informal
grouse
whinge (about)
complain persistently; informal
whinge, whingeing
Common mistakes The verb object to is followed by a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form of a verb. Don’t use the base form of a verb: I object to being made to wait here for an hour before seeing the Principal (NOT object to be made).
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English Vocabulary in Use Advanced
