a recent complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recent complaint" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a complaint that has been made not long ago. Example: "The manager addressed a recent complaint from a customer regarding the service quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

DealBook »   A Tough Road for Wal-Mart Shareholders  |  Unfortunately for shareholders, a recent complaint filed by a pension fund is unlikely to result in any significant changes at Wal-Mart Stores, Peter J. Henning writes in White Collar Watch.

The New York Times

This research has been underscored by a recent complaint filed with the Labor Department by Good Jobs Nation, a group representing low-wage workers employed under federal concession agreements.

The New York Times

Sing 'Okie!' ") I mentioned reading a recent complaint by Hazel Smith, a chirpy, generally benevolent gossip columnist in Country Music, that Merle sang what he wanted to sing, instead of his hits.

The New Yorker

In an update to a recent complaint against YouTube filed with the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday, the watchdog groups catalogued all the gross things kids can find using the app's search function.

The Guardian - Tech

In a recent complaint the AHRC found that four Aboriginal men with intellectual and cognitive disabilities had been held for many years in a maximum security prison in the Northern Territory.

The Guardian

"The US EPA will work closely with Navajo Nation authorities to investigate a recent complaint about water contamination in one tank provided by US EPA for agricultural purposes in the Shiprock, New Mexico area," the report said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A more recent complaint, made this March, about the potency of a solution used in eye surgery, remains under investigation.

The New York Times - Health

A more recent complaint involves the opposite of the WikiLeaks situation.

The New York Times

When asked directly, using a single item scale, doctors were 3.78 (95% CI 2.68 to 5.32) times more likely to report the presence of suicidal thoughts while going through a current or recent complaint compared to doctors who had no complaints (table 4).

BMJ Open

Within the PHQ-9, doctors with an ongoing or recent complaint (9.7%) were twice as likely as doctors with no complaints (4.7%) to report having thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation (RR=2.08, 95% CI 1.61 to 2.68; see table 2).

BMJ Open

The police have received a dozen recent complaints, all of them anonymous, of marijuana dealing on the block.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a recent complaint", ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe you consider 'recent'. This prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a recent complaint" represents widespread dissatisfaction without sufficient evidence. One complaint doesn't always indicate a systemic issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recent complaint" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific instance of grievance or issue that has been brought to attention recently. Ludwig examples illustrate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a recent complaint" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase. It serves to introduce a grievance or issue that has recently been brought to attention. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the timeframe implied by 'recent' to avoid ambiguity. While a single complaint shouldn't be overgeneralized, recognizing and addressing it promptly is essential for effective communication and problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contemporary grievance

Replaces "recent" with "contemporary" and "complaint" with "grievance", emphasizing the current nature of the issue.

a current allegation

Substitutes "complaint" with "allegation", suggesting a formal accusation.

a present-day concern

Uses "present-day concern" instead of "recent complaint", framing it as a matter of worry.

a newly filed protest

Replaces "complaint" with "protest", indicating a more active form of objection.

a just submitted claim

Replaces "complaint" with "claim", suggesting a formal demand or assertion.

a fresh objection

Emphasizes the novelty of the complaint with "fresh".

a late protestation

Uses "protestation" as a more formal synonym for "complaint".

a modern-day remonstrance

Replaces "complaint" with "remonstrance", indicating a formal expression of disapproval.

a new source of dissatisfaction

Frames the complaint as the cause of discontent.

a quickly registered concern

Emphasizes the short time since concern was registered.

FAQs

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

You can use "a recent complaint" to introduce a problem that has been brought to attention. For example, "The company is addressing "a recent complaint" about its billing practices".

What are some alternatives to saying "a recent complaint"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a contemporary grievance", "a current allegation", or "a present-day concern".

What's the difference between "a recent complaint" and "a past complaint"?

"A recent complaint" refers to an issue raised in the near past, while "a past complaint" refers to one that occurred at an earlier, less specific time.

Is it better to say "a recent complaint" or "an recent complaint"?

"A recent complaint" is correct. The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.