grounds for complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

"grounds for complaint" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a valid reason or justification for making a complaint or expressing dissatisfaction about something. Example: The poor quality of service provided by the restaurant was definitely grounds for complaint.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I've no grounds for complaint.

The Guardian - Books

So he has few grounds for complaint.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only a joyless fool would find grounds for complaint.

Independent

There are more serious grounds for complaint, too.

The Economist

They certainly had some reasonable grounds for complaint.

The Guardian - Sport

Since the contested pay deal, though, investors have had few grounds for complaint.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

A similar investigation in the United States was dropped by the Federal Trade Commission in September 2000 after it, too, found no substantial grounds for complaints.

The New York Times

There are certainly serious grounds for complaints against public sector unions.

Huffington Post

The epithets hurled by leftists at Menachem Begin and his thugs, and the accusations made by Begin and the Likudniks against David Ben-Gurion and his followers would today certainly be grounds for complaints and lawsuits.

Huffington Post

Any appointment to a public body that does not act in accordance with the code of practice constitutes a ground for complaint.

The Guardian

With four England captains and 316 caps sitting on the bench without too much ground for complaint, England are strong enough to make a win today a formality.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grounds for complaint", clearly state the specific reasons or issues that justify the complaint to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "There are grounds for complaint about the service." Instead, specify the precise issues: "There are grounds for complaint regarding the delayed delivery and the damaged packaging."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds for complaint" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the reasons or justifications that support a complaint. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating the basis upon which a complaint is made. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grounds for complaint" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that denotes the existence of valid reasons for lodging a complaint. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, the phrase serves to highlight the legitimacy or reasonableness of a grievance. While several alternative expressions exist, such as "reason for complaint" and "basis for complaint", the core meaning remains consistent. When employing "grounds for complaint", ensuring clarity and specificity in articulating the reasons behind the complaint enhances communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for complaint

This alternative is more direct and simply refers to the cause of the complaint.

basis for complaint

This alternative emphasizes the foundation or justification for the complaint.

legitimate complaint

This alternative focuses on the validity and acceptability of the complaint.

cause for grievance

This alternative uses a more formal word, "grievance", to denote a reason for complaint.

valid reason to complain

This alternative emphasizes the existence of a legitimate reason.

reason to be dissatisfied

This alternative highlights the feeling of discontent leading to the complaint.

justification for protest

This alternative implies a more active form of expressing dissatisfaction.

a valid claim

This alternative presents the complaint as a formal demand or assertion.

sufficient cause for concern

This alternative implies a more serious issue that warrants attention.

area of concern

This alternative focuses on a particular issue that requires attention.

FAQs

What does "grounds for complaint" mean?

It refers to valid reasons or justifications for making a complaint or expressing dissatisfaction. It indicates that there is a legitimate basis for someone's grievance.

How can I use "grounds for complaint" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate that a situation or action provides a reason to complain, for example: "The company's failure to deliver the promised results gave investors "grounds for complaint"."

What are some alternatives to "grounds for complaint"?

Alternatives include "reason for complaint", "basis for complaint", or "cause for grievance". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "grounds for complaint" or "grounds for complaints"?

"Grounds for complaint" is generally used when referring to a general reason or situation. "Grounds for complaints" might be used when referring to multiple distinct complaints, but is less common.