complained with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complained with" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is typically "complained about" or "complained to." Example: "She complained about the noise coming from the construction site."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

He complained with a sense of humor.

The New York Times

The client complained "with such vehemence as to be deserving of further inquiry," Justice Carruthers said.

The New York Times

Furious viewers immediately complained, with some describing the service as a "joke".

The Guardian - Sport

'I did it by myself and no ones help,' it complained with typically poor grammar.

The Guardian

"All the other kids have homework," she complained with a sigh.

The New York Times - Magazine

Oil companies complained, with some justification, that the rules, and Mr. Bloom's interpretations, were maddeningly arcane.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I can't complain with 44.7 in my first race.

Independent

Lower-income residents complain with increasing bitterness about house prices.

The Economist

But he wanted nothing more than to complain with them.

The New York Times - Sports

I often complain, with reason, about the state of economic discussion in the United States.

The New York Times

I don't think I'll ever be able to complain with a good conscience again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing complaints, use the standard preposition "about" or "to" followed by the object of your complaint. For example, "She complained about the service" or "He complained to the manager."

Common error

Avoid using "with" after "complained"; it's not standard English. Instead, use "about" to indicate the subject of the complaint or "to" to specify the recipient of the complaint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complained with" functions as a verb phrase where 'complained' is the main verb, and 'with' is a preposition. Although it appears in various sources shown by Ludwig, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The verb 'complain' typically pairs with 'about' or 'to'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "complained with" appears frequently in various sources as shown by Ludwig, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, the correct prepositions to use with "complained" are "about" and "to". To effectively express dissatisfaction or file a grievance, using alternatives like ""complained about"" or ""complained to"" ensures clarity and grammatical correctness, particularly in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complained about

Replaces 'with' with 'about', which is the standard preposition for expressing complaints in English.

complained to

Replaces 'with' with 'to', indicating the recipient of the complaint rather than the manner.

expressed dissatisfaction with

Uses a more formal phrasing to convey the sentiment of complaining.

voiced a complaint about

Similar to 'complained about' but uses 'voiced' to emphasize the act of expressing the complaint.

lodged a complaint with

Indicates a formal complaint has been submitted to an authority or organization.

raised concerns about

A more diplomatic way of expressing complaints, typically used in professional settings.

expressed concern with

Similar to raising concerns, but using "expressed" to indicate the act of stating the worry.

grumbled about

Suggests a more subdued or informal form of complaining.

objected to

Emphasizes disagreement or opposition to something.

protested against

Implies a stronger, more public expression of disagreement or complaint.

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use after "complained"?

The correct prepositions to use after "complained" are "about" and "to". Use "about" when specifying what you are complaining about, like "She "complained about" the noise". Use "to" when indicating who the complaint was directed to, such as "He "complained to" the manager".

What can I say instead of "complained with"?

Instead of "complained with", you can use more appropriate alternatives like ""complained about"" or "expressed dissatisfaction with" depending on the context.

Is "complained with" grammatically correct?

No, "complained with" is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage is usually ""complained about"" or ""complained to"".

How do I properly use "complain" in a sentence?

To properly use "complain" in a sentence, follow it with either "about" to describe the subject of the complaint (e.g., "They complained about the quality") or "to" to indicate who received the complaint (e.g., "She complained to the supervisor"). Avoid using constructions like "complained with".