73 Complaining and protesting

A

B 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 complainabout 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]

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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Where would you be more likely to hear these statements, in informal or more formal situations? Mark them I or F. How might the same idea be conveyed at the other end of the scale of formality?

1 Look here! I’ve just about had enough of your rudeness! 2 I am writing to remonstrate against some injustices in your regulations. 3 You’ve got to do something about the state of your desk. 4 I wish to complain about the poor facilities at the station. 5 You can’t possibly come here not wearing a tie. 6 This behaviour is most unsatisfactory. 7 The lack of toilet facilities for disabled people is shameful. 8 The delay in completing my order is simply unacceptable.

Complete each of these sentences with one word.

1 What’s Jodie whingeing now? 2 We great exception to the proposed plans. 3 They objected loudly to forced to sit on the floor because there were no chairs. 4 He’s always writing letters to the newspaper, finding fault something or other. 5 Something will have to be about traffic problems in the city. 6 I wish people talk loudly on their phones when I’m on the train. 7 This standard of work just won’t ! 8 You would be advised to start looking for another job. 9 I heard her remonstrating a police officer about the road being closed. 10 I’m tired of hearing you constantly moaning. Enough is !

How might you complain in the following situations?

1 You are complaining to your flatmate about your noisy neighbours; they’ve been having wild parties every weekend for several months now. 2 You’re complaining in a fairly neutral way to your neighbours about a tree of theirs that has grown so high it blocks out the sun. 3 You’re writing a formal email to the local newspaper about the problem of noise at night from a factory in your neighbourhood. 4 You’re complaining to your boss, with whom you have a fairly informal relationship, about new and longer working hours. 5 You’re complaining to a close friend about having to work longer hours. 6 You’re writing an official, formal letter of complaint to the top level of management about a lack of safety procedures at work.

The people below are all complaining indirectly. What do they really mean in each case?

1 (walking into a room) ‘It doesn’t smell very nice in here!’ 2 (on a school report) ‘Jorge tends to complete his work rather too quickly.’ 3 (in a reference letter) ‘Punctuality is not Simone’s highest priority.’ 4 (at a work appraisal) ‘You’d be well advised to reassess your long-term plans.’ 5 (commenting on a room) ‘It would benefit from a lick of paint.’ 6 (coming into a room) ‘The TV seems to be a bit loud.’