attracted complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attracted complaint" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to describe a situation where something has drawn or provoked a complaint, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The new policy attracted complaint from several employees who felt it was unfair."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As expected, the three papers defended publication by saying that the images had been published on several occasions since 2006 and had not attracted complaint.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The levels of consumption have attracted complaints from viewers, but castigation serves only to egg the lads on.

The Guardian

What other films attracted complaints? 12 Years A Slave was runner-up, with 12 people complaining about a rape scene.

The Guardian - Film

As David Leigh has reported, the Sark segment has already attracted complaints from the Barclays' estate manager on the island, Kevin Delaney.

The Guardian

This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby, whose low-cut outfits have earned her the nickname Holly Willoughbooby, has attracted complaints before for her revealing dresses.

Independent

Another episode, broadcast on New Year's Eve, also attracted complaints from viewers concerned about the portrayal of domestic violence in the BBC soap.

The Guardian

Tracks by Jay Reatard, Nadja, BLK JKS and Spindrift all attracted complaints under the USA's Digital Millennium Copyright Act, even when the respective MP3s were official promo tracks.

The Guardian - Music

The episodes of Emmerdale were broadcast just a month after the soap attracted complaints over a joke some thought would be offensive to the disabled.

The Guardian

Leslie Felperin, film critic for the trade magazine the Hollywood Reporter, suggests that criticisms of his work mounted after his final Batman film, 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, which attracted complaints for its apparent conservative politics as well as for the muffled voice of its villain, Bane, and says that thematically he has failed to progress.

The Guardian - Film

Even before transmission, the series has attracted complaints, some from the relatives of members of the armed forces who have been killed in action or served in recent conflicts, who believe this is not a "fit subject for a comedy" according to McCrum.

The Guardian

While most suppliers have not attracted complaints, the regulator is worried about pressure-selling by some firms.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "attracted complaint". Opt for stronger, more precise alternatives like "drew criticism" or "elicited complaints" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid imprecise language. Instead of saying something "attracted complaint", specify the nature and source of the complaint for better understanding. For example, say "the policy change drew complaints from employees" rather than the less informative "the policy change attracted complaint".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attracted complaint" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, attempting to describe an action that resulted in a complaint. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "attracted complaint" may appear in certain contexts, it is not considered standard or grammatically sound English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's an awkward construction. It attempts to convey that something has elicited a complaint, but more precise and widely accepted alternatives, such as "drew criticism" or "elicited complaints", should be favored. These alternatives offer greater clarity and impact. The phrase appears rarely, mostly in news and media sources, but its non-standard nature suggests it should be avoided in formal or professional settings. Always strive for clear, direct language; specifying the nature and source of complaints enhances understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drew criticism

Focuses on negative feedback being drawn or elicited.

elicited complaints

Highlights the act of provoking or drawing out complaints.

prompted concerns

Emphasizes that something has initiated feelings of worry or unease.

sparked controversy

Suggests the initiation of widespread public disagreement or debate.

raised objections

Focuses on the act of voicing opposition or disapproval.

generated disapproval

Highlights that something caused a negative assessment or reaction.

invited protest

Emphasizes the calling forth of public demonstration or objection.

triggered outrage

Suggests a strong emotional response of anger or shock.

led to grievances

Focuses on the emergence of formal complaints or causes for resentment.

caused dissatisfaction

Highlights a lack of contentment or fulfillment as a result.

FAQs

What does "attracted complaint" mean?

The phrase "attracted complaint" is not standard English. It attempts to describe something that caused a complaint, but it is not a well-formed or commonly used expression.

What are some alternatives to "attracted complaint"?

Better alternatives include phrases like "drew criticism", "elicited complaints", or "prompted concerns", which more clearly convey the idea of something causing negative feedback.

Is it grammatically correct to say "attracted complaint"?

No, "attracted complaint" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is better to use a more established phrase such as "attracted criticism" or "elicited complaints".

How can I use "draw criticism" or "elicit complaints" in a sentence?

For example, you could say: "The company's new marketing campaign "drew criticism" for being insensitive" or "The proposed changes "elicited complaints" from local residents".