genuine complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

'genuine complaint' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of customer service or customer feedback. An example sentence would be: "We take all genuine complaints seriously and strive to address them in a timely manner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

While in the case of the Jenkinsons it was a genuine complaint (on TripAdvisor the hotel has 146 "terrible" ratings out of a total of 255 reviews), in some circumstances online review sites can be abused by customers, says Aldrich-Smith. "Online reviews are a powerful marketing tool but they can be misused and abused by customers, especially those rating the budget hotel sector.

The Guardian

Must be frustrating for @jonworth when, come Monday morning, @EurostarUK jumps on other travellers' tweets that celebrate the "free stuff" in the lounge but never acknowledged his genuine complaint.

TechCrunch

Nick Spooner of Legal Beagles said: "We are shocked because it appears to us that far from having any genuine complaint about the nature of the comments it appears RLP want to stifle the reporting of the adverse judgement at Oxford County Court because it puts into question their business model.

BBC

If you have a genuine complaint about someone or something, communicate the issue with tact, consideration and neutrality.

Huffington Post

It provides a standardised structure by which anyone, whether a teacher, fellow student, member of the public or medical school administrator, can document a genuine complaint about a student's behaviour or attitude.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He added, however, that while some were genuine complaints, many of the calls were to check that the hotline worked.

The New York Times

He later added: "Operation Midland has had a disastrous effect on genuine complaints of child sexual abuse both present and historical.

The Guardian

"We repeat our previous recommendation which is that people who make genuine complaints need to be told about the outcome".

The Guardian

Mr Brookes stressed: "We don't want to deter parents who have genuine complaints from pursuing those complaints but we do need to deter the serial complainers".

Independent

It is understood the government wants the appeals process to change so spurious challenges can be rapidly weeded out and genuine complaints dealt with more quickly.

The Guardian - Business

Oystercatchers by Susan Fletcher 375pp, Fourth Estate, £14.99 Second-novel syndrome is an all-too-genuine complaint.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "genuine complaint" to emphasize the validity and seriousness of concerns, especially in formal communications.

Common error

Avoid using "genuine complaint" for minor inconveniences or personal preferences. Reserve it for serious issues that warrant formal attention and resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuine complaint" functions as a noun phrase where "genuine" modifies the noun "complaint", indicating its authenticity. It is used to describe a complaint that is considered real and valid. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various contexts to emphasize the legitimacy of the concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "genuine complaint" is a noun phrase that emphasizes the authenticity and validity of a complaint. As Ludwig highlights, it’s used in a variety of contexts, from news reports to formal correspondence, to distinguish legitimate concerns from frivolous ones. The term is grammatically correct and commonly used, though not overly frequent. To ensure clarity and impact, use "genuine complaint" when the issue is based on verifiable facts and warrants serious attention. Avoid using it for trivial matters. Alternatives such as "valid grievance" or "legitimate concern" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid grievance

Emphasizes the legitimacy and justification of the complaint.

legitimate concern

Highlights the authenticity and importance of the issue raised.

authentic grievance

Underscores the realness and sincerity of the complaint.

bona fide complaint

Uses a formal term to stress the good faith and lack of deception in the complaint.

real issue

Focuses on the tangible and verifiable nature of the problem.

sincere concern

Highlights the honesty and earnestness behind the complaint.

justified criticism

Emphasizes that the complaint is well-founded and reasonable.

veritable issue

Stresses the truthfulness and accuracy of the complaint.

well-founded grievance

Indicates that the complaint has a strong basis in facts or evidence.

substantive objection

Highlights the significant and meaningful nature of the complaint.

FAQs

What does "genuine complaint" mean?

A "genuine complaint" refers to a complaint that is authentic, sincere, and based on legitimate reasons, rather than being frivolous or malicious.

How can I identify a "genuine complaint"?

To identify a "genuine complaint", assess whether the issue is based on verifiable facts, shows sincere concern, and warrants formal attention. Compare it to /s/frivolous+complaint and /s/malicious+complaint to avoid confusion.

What are some alternatives to "genuine complaint"?

Alternatives to "genuine complaint" include "valid grievance", "legitimate concern", or "authentic grievance" depending on the context.

How to respond to a "genuine complaint"?

When responding to a "genuine complaint", acknowledge the issue, investigate thoroughly, and offer a sincere resolution to address the complainant's concerns effectively. Prioritize over /s/routine+comments and /s/personal+preferences.