bemoans

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "bemoans" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express regret or dissatisfaction about something. Example sentence: He bemoaned the fact that he had to work late every night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The final report, co-authored with Stefano Conti, bemoans the scant detail Stefanoni used to back up her findings.

The Guardian

One of many highlights is How Blue Can You Get, where he bemoans a love turned sour.

The Guardian - Music

The inherent self-interest in most attempts at "reform" and the suggestion that the war in Iraq had more to do with America's thirst for oil than 9/11 is raised later in the series when Avon bemoans the cost of his own battles with Marlo.

The Guardian

Like many actresses, she bemoans the dearth of roles for older women.

The Guardian

And he reveals deep differences within the government about how tightly Australia should walk in lock step with the United States and bemoans that his short tenure in the job limits his options to change things.

The Guardian

Kaberuka bemoans the minimal role African governments have played in the Ebola crisis.

The Guardian

He bemoans "the lack of any common political project beyond expansion".

The Economist

KAHEA, an alliance of environmentalists and defenders of native Hawaiian culture, bemoans the pollution caused by the cruise ships and the risk posed by the tourist hordes to creatures such as the dark-rumped petrel and the Oahu tree snail, or to plants like the Marsilea villosa fern.

The Economist

His job has been addled by a parallel effort to audit recent expenses and to establish a new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which will have the final say on reform.Sir Christopher bemoans the effect of such bad behaviour and "the further damage that [it] will do to people's perception of Members of Parliament".

The Economist

Remzi Lani, director of Albania's Media Institute, bemoans the brain drain that has stripped his country in the past decade.

The Economist

Professor Philip Booth of the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free-market think-tank, bemoans the added complexity introduced to the tax system and calls for the autumn statement to be abolished so that future chancellors desist from such tinkering.That is unlikely to happen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bemoans" when you want to express a strong sense of regret or sorrow, particularly in formal writing. Consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey; synonyms like "laments" or "deplores" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "bemoans" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "complains" or "is upset about" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bemoans" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. It describes the action of expressing sorrow, regret, or disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bemoans" functions as a verb used to express regret, sorrow, or disapproval. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage is very common, particularly within News & Media sources, signaling a neutral to somewhat formal register. When writing, be mindful of the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey and opt for simpler alternatives in informal contexts. Synonyms include "laments", "deplores", and "regrets", each carrying a slightly different nuance. Knowing these details can help writers more effectively use the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laments

Direct synonym; interchangeable in most contexts.

deplores

Stronger emphasis on disapproval.

regrets

Focuses on feeling sorry about something.

bewails

More literary and intense form of lamenting.

complains about

More conversational and less formal.

expresses sorrow over

More descriptive and less direct.

mourns the loss of

Specifically refers to grieving a loss.

is disappointed by

Focuses on unmet expectations.

voices discontent with

Highlights the act of expressing dissatisfaction.

finds fault with

Emphasizes criticism.

FAQs

How do I use "bemoans" in a sentence?

The word "bemoans" is typically used to express regret or sorrow about something. For example, "The report "bemoans" the lack of progress in environmental conservation."

What can I say instead of "bemoans"?

You can use alternatives like "laments", "deplores", or "regrets" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "bemoans" or "complains"?

"Bemoans" and "complains" are both correct, but they carry different connotations. "Bemoans" is more formal and suggests a deeper sense of sorrow or regret, while "complains" is more general and can refer to simple expressions of dissatisfaction.

What's the difference between "bemoans" and "bewails"?

Both "bemoans" and "bewails" express sorrow, but "bewails" is a stronger, more literary term suggesting deep, often public, lamentation. "Bemoans" is more commonly used in contemporary writing.