a valid complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valid complaint" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a grievance or issue that is legitimate and justifiable. Example: "After reviewing the situation, I concluded that her concerns about the product's quality were indeed a valid complaint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Which is a valid complaint.

The New Yorker

Where people have a valid point, a valid complaint, we will take it up.

The Guardian

And Mrs. Jordan suggests researching local ordinances to see if a valid complaint exists before involving local authorities or suing.

The New York Times

It would direct corrections, on the front page if necessary, if newspapers didn't resolve a valid complaint themselves.

The Guardian

I then sent an email and, a month later, received a reply accepting that I had a valid complaint.

The Guardian - Money

But it's very hard to work that up into a valid complaint and not come across as unreasonable".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Hey, you got your bluegrass in my techno!" is a perfectly valid complaint most of the time.

The New York Times - Arts

Will a friend, colleague or acquaintance break the spine (a frequent and valid complaint of this Babbage's former flatmate), foul or dog-ear some pages, or disappear with the title, never to return?On the surface, Amazon's and Barnes & Noble's e-book loan policy seems like the ideal solution to this age-old problem.

The Economist

If neighbors have any valid complaints, Mr. McKee said, it is the attention the house gets.

The New York Times

"When we try to pin the community board down, it's never backed up by any valid complaints".

The New York Times

Here is an exception to the generally valid complaint that new scores vanish after their first performances.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a valid complaint", ensure you can articulate why the complaint holds merit. Providing context strengthens your assertion and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid stating a complaint is valid without providing any supporting evidence or reasoning. Back up your assertion with specific details or arguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid complaint" functions as a noun phrase, where "valid" modifies the noun "complaint". It is often used to describe a grievance or issue that is considered legitimate, justified, or well-founded. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valid complaint" is a commonly used phrase to describe a grievance that is legitimate and justified. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase finds its primary use in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. While the phrase is generally straightforward, remember to provide supporting evidence when asserting that a complaint is valid to enhance clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "a legitimate grievance" or "a justifiable concern" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate grievance

Replaces "complaint" with "grievance" implying a stronger sense of injustice.

a justifiable concern

Emphasizes the reason behind the complaint, focusing on the concern's validity.

a well-founded objection

Highlights the solid basis for the complaint, suggesting thorough reasoning.

a reasonable protest

Indicates the complaint is moderate and logical.

a warranted criticism

Focuses on the critique being deserved and appropriate.

a substantiated claim

Suggests the complaint is supported by evidence.

an admissible grievance

Implies the complaint meets the criteria to be considered.

a defensible argument

Highlights the reasoning behind the complaint, suggesting it's supportable.

a supportable objection

The complaint can be maintained with evidence.

a credible accusation

The complaint is believable.

FAQs

What's another way to say "a valid complaint"?

You can use alternatives such as "a legitimate grievance", "a justifiable concern", or "a well-founded objection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I determine if a complaint is actually "a valid complaint"?

To assess whether a complaint is "a valid complaint", consider if it's supported by evidence, aligns with established rules or standards, and addresses a genuine harm or problem. Objectivity is key.

Is it better to say "valid complaint" or "legitimate complaint"?

Both "valid complaint" and "legitimate complaint" are acceptable, but "legitimate complaint" often implies adherence to rules or laws, while "valid complaint" emphasizes the factual accuracy or justification of the complaint.

Can "a valid complaint" be subjective?

While some aspects of a complaint might involve personal opinions or experiences, for it to be considered "a valid complaint", it should ideally have some objective basis, such as evidence or violation of a standard.