Frivolous complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Frivolous complaint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complaint that is not serious or lacks merit, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "The court dismissed the case, stating that it was nothing more than a frivolous complaint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"This frivolous complaint is not worth the paper it is written on," said Michael Meehan, a spokesman for Mr. Kerry said in a statement.

The New York Times

Joe Fadness, a spokesman for Scott Walker's political campaign, dismissed the letter as a "frivolous complaint that fails to acknowledge the facts".

The Guardian

The Court holds, however, that a voluntary dismissal does not eliminate the predicate for a Rule 11 violation because a frivolous complaint that is withdrawn burdens "courts and individuals alike with needless expense and delay". Ante, at 398.

Cornell University

The filing of a frivolous complaint which is voluntarily withdrawn imposes a burden on the court only if the notation of an additional civil proceeding on the court's docket sheet can be said to constitute a burden.

Cornell University

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and champion of the Boeing plant in his state, said, "I'm pleased to hear the frivolous complaint that has put a cloud over their operations has been lifted".

The New York Times

Jonathan Collegio, a spokesman for American Crossroads, said the letter from the Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 was "the fourth frivolous complaint in twelve months from a highly ideological group that wants to sic the I.R.S. on its opponents".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Sending Gripes to one's Facebook friends solves the problem of frivolous complaints, Mr. Mohit argues.

The New York Times - Tech

There have been bitter objections to allegedly partisan or frivolous complaints which have not resulted in serious charges.

The Guardian

In a move that was denounced by Team Anna, the panel also recommends reducing the penalties for "frivolous complaints" from five years imprisonment to six months.

The New York Times

He said the database would be used "to anonymously smear companies" by circulating "frivolous complaints filed by left-wing interest groups".

The New York Times

Court commissioners say the fee had helped weed out frivolous complaints, but others say it may have kept victims of violence from obtaining orders of protection.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "frivolous complaint", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the complaint's lack of merit to avoid misinterpretation or accusations of dismissing legitimate concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "frivolous complaint" to dismiss complaints without proper investigation. Prematurely labeling a complaint as frivolous can damage trust and prevent the resolution of legitimate concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frivolous complaint" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'frivolous' modifies the noun 'complaint'. This phrase is primarily used to describe a formal expression of dissatisfaction or grievance that is considered to be without serious purpose or value. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frivolous complaint" is used to describe a complaint lacking merit or seriousness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in news and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly justifies the assessment of the complaint as lacking substance. Alternatives such as "baseless accusation" or "groundless charge" can provide similar meaning with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baseless accusation

Focuses on the lack of foundation for the accusation.

groundless charge

Highlights the absence of any valid grounds for the charge.

unfounded allegation

Emphasizes that the allegation has no factual basis.

meritless grievance

Indicates that the grievance lacks any value or justification.

idle claim

Suggests the claim is trivial and not worth serious attention.

insubstantial protest

Emphasizes the lack of real substance or weight in the protest.

trivial objection

Highlights that the objection is unimportant and insignificant.

petty gripe

Suggests the complaint is small-minded and insignificant.

false accusation

Directly states that the accusation is untrue.

invalid claim

Focuses on the claim not being legally or factually sound.

FAQs

What does "frivolous complaint" mean?

A "frivolous complaint" is one that lacks a legal basis or factual support; it is often considered trivial, petty, or intended to harass or annoy.

How can I use "frivolous complaint" in a sentence?

You can say, "The judge dismissed the lawsuit, deeming it a "frivolous complaint" aimed at wasting the court's time".

What are some alternatives to "frivolous complaint"?

Alternatives include "baseless accusation", "groundless charge", or "unfounded allegation", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between a "frivolous complaint" and a "vexatious complaint"?

While both are unwarranted, a "frivolous complaint" lacks merit, while a vexatious complaint may have some initial basis but is pursued repeatedly to harass or annoy someone.