Grumbling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Grumbling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of complaining or expressing dissatisfaction, often in a low or muttering voice. Example: "He was grumbling about the long wait at the restaurant, making it clear he was not pleased with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am now relying on the BBC investing in some Chinese government-style expertise to employ internet censors in Broadcasting House who can be relied on to block only any item which might upset the IOC lawyers – leaving me with the pleasure of hearing the racing tips, Vince Cable, and John Humphrys grumbling about any warm weather that accidentally comes to the UK.

The Guardian

As a native of Wales, I have been particularly interested in the reaction to the Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, which seemed mostly to consist of grumbling that all she talked about was Wales (imagine that), and withering references to her party's nationalism.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is grumbling benignly, like Turner in the film.

The Guardian - Film

The cricketing public may be split over KP – although the broader sporting public who are slowly becoming disconnected from the game appear to be largely with him – but the events of the past week will not endear those grumbling over the amount they are being asked to pay for Test tickets and TV subscriptions.

The Guardian - Sport

While there was grumbling on Twitter from customers who had ordered an iPhone 6 as recently as Friday, the company said it had ceased trading "as soon as practically possible".

The Guardian - Business

Given the enormous political will to make the games succeed, it is likely that Beijing will fulfil its targets (despite grumbling by those whose homes are knocked down to make way for construction).

The Economist

Savers are grumbling about the sharp fall in interest rates on their deposits and the Conservative opposition has pledged tax concessions to help them.

The Economist

Officially, the two men were "reaffirming the principle of a multipolar world", which is code for grumbling about America's far-reaching influence.

The Economist

Republican bigwigs welcomed action against IS while grumbling that the president had waited too long.

The Economist

Some House Republicans aim their fire at party colleagues in the Senate, grumbling that they should re-write their chamber's voting rules in order to ram the House-amended bill past Democrats.

The Economist

If true, that would indeed be scandalous, but each time the evidence has pointed the other way, leaving Mr Obama's foes grumbling about "unanswered questions".Now Mr Obama has two more substantive scandals to keep and cherish.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grumbling" to describe low-level, ongoing dissatisfaction or complaints, often expressed quietly.

Common error

Avoid using "grumbling" when describing formal accusations or direct confrontations. Opt for stronger verbs like "protesting" or "criticizing" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

Grumbling primarily functions as a present participle or gerund. Ludwig's examples show it describing an ongoing action of expressing discontent, often in a subdued manner. It modifies nouns or pronouns, indicating a state or activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grumbling" commonly describes an ongoing, quiet expression of dissatisfaction, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in News & Media. Alternatives include "complaining" and "muttering", each with slightly different connotations. Use "grumbling" for low-level dissatisfaction, but avoid it in formal accusations. Ludwig's examples confirm its neutral to informal register, making it versatile yet context-dependent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Complaining

Focuses on expressing dissatisfaction directly.

Muttering

Implies speaking softly and indistinctly while complaining.

Murmuring

Similar to muttering, but can also suggest a softer, less intense complaint.

Complaining softly

Emphasizes the quiet nature of the complaining.

Expressing discontent

A more formal way of saying complaining.

Whining

Suggests a more petulant and annoying form of complaining.

Moaning

Implies a low, mournful complaint.

Griping

Informal term for complaining, often about minor things.

Carping

Suggests finding fault with things, often unnecessarily.

Bellyaching

A vulgar way of complaining loudly and persistently.

FAQs

How is "grumbling" typically used in a sentence?

"Grumbling" often describes a continuous, low-level expression of dissatisfaction. For example, "The employees were "grumbling about" the new policies".

What are some alternatives to using "grumbling"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "complaining", "muttering", or "murmuring".

Is there a difference between "grumbling" and "complaining"?

"Grumbling" often implies a quieter, less direct expression of dissatisfaction compared to "complaining", which can be more overt and forceful.

When is it appropriate to use "grumbling" instead of "protesting"?

Use "grumbling" when the dissatisfaction is mild and ongoing. Reserve "protesting" for situations involving active and vocal opposition.