grievances

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'grievances' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to complaints or wrongs that somebody feels have been done to them. Example: Many of the workers had a long list of grievances, ranging from poor working conditions to inadequate pay.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The grievances aren't unreasonable, on either side, but the focus on fairness, by making it harder to reach any kind of agreement at all, could prove disastrous.

The New York Times

As for fundamentalist Christian grievances with the school system – perceived as godless and unfriendly to their evangelical cause – Boston pointed out the "incredible mission field" that would be America's public school students.

The Guardian

These eddies of trouble, the revival of secondary disputes and the mixture of economic policy with diplomatic grievances and popular rhetoric all echo the atmosphere of the early 1930s.

The Guardian - Opinion

I invite you to join us as we move beyond the anger and pain, and promote peace and friendship The grievances of the South African population have to be balanced with the plight of many refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants from the continent and beyond.

The Guardian

We were immensely fortunate to have an Irish leadership – in the form of Bertie Ahern and his key ministers – that was prepared to lay aside the grievances and attitudes of the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they also have fears and grievances that chime with what people talk about north of the border.

The Guardian

Turner also had an estranged mistress, Sarah Danby Ruth Sheen Hannahnnah's aunt – with whom he had daughters, and who in the film "fumes with grievances against him".

The Guardian - Film

The '22 is the Tory equivalent of the Parliamentary Labour party (PLP), the elected members' trade union branch, where grievances are aired and interests defended, some of them noble, others, like MPs' expenses, less so.

The Guardian

M&G's editor, Angela Quintal, accepted a memorandum from the marchers setting out their grievances, promised to make a response, and invited youth league leaders to visit the paper.

The Guardian

The movement quickly expanded its grievances to alleged corruption and human rights abuses, and called for Yanukovych's resignation.

The Guardian

One of his early arguments was that if the police refused to listen to the valid grievances of the black community then 'we revert to the best aspects of the black tradition, which is to get out on the streets and demonstrate'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Acknowledge the validity of the "grievances" raised by others, even if you don't fully agree with them, to foster productive dialogue.

Common error

Avoid using "grievances" when you mean 'griefs'. "Grievances" refers to complaints or causes of distress, while 'griefs' refers to sorrow or mourning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "grievances" is as a plural noun, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, highlighting its role in expressing complaints or wrongs. Example: 'The workers aired their grievances'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grievances" functions as a plural noun used to express complaints and causes for discontent. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, formal business communications, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it should not be confused with 'griefs', which relates to sorrow. When using "grievances", be specific with examples and acknowledge their validity to foster constructive dialogue. Consider alternatives like "complaints" or "objections" for variety, and remember that effectively addressing "grievances" requires understanding and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complaints

Replaces "grievances" with a more general term for expressions of dissatisfaction.

dissatisfactions

Highlights the feelings of unhappiness or disappointment.

objections

Focuses on formal expressions of disapproval or disagreement.

sources of discontent

Focuses on the origins or roots of dissatisfaction.

causes for complaint

Rephrases "grievances" as specific reasons for dissatisfaction.

points of contention

Emphasizes areas of disagreement or dispute.

protests

Emphasizes public demonstrations of discontent.

injustices

Draws attention to unfair or inequitable situations.

unmet needs

Highlights the aspects of needs that have not been satisfied.

hardships

Focuses on the difficulties and suffering experienced.

FAQs

How to use "grievances" in a sentence?

You can use "grievances" to refer to complaints or reasons for dissatisfaction. For example, "The workers presented their "grievances" to the management."

What can I say instead of "grievances"?

You can use alternatives like "complaints", "objections", or "protests" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "grievances" or "griefs"?

"Grievances" refers to complaints or causes of distress, while "griefs" refers to sorrow or mourning. Use "grievances" when referring to complaints and "griefs" when referring to sorrow.

What's the difference between "grievances" and "dissatisfactions"?

"Grievances" often imply a formal complaint or a specific cause for discontent, while "dissatisfactions" can refer to a more general feeling of unhappiness or disappointment.