has been complained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been complained" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "has been complained about" when referring to a subject that has received complaints. Example: "The new policy has been complained about by several employees who feel it is unfair."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Procrastination – a long word which sounds better to the ear than saying 'I have a problem with avoiding work' – blights even the best of us and has been complained about for millennia.

Independent

It has been complained, however, that this distinction ought not to be taken as decisive for an ontology of art since it rests upon a contingent thesis about what is technologically possible.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Everybody has been complaining about their backs," Joseph said.

The New York Times

Management at the Fairfield has been complaining about late-night drumming at the arts building.

The New York Times

Printemps Francais, a far-right group that opposes gay marriage, has been complaining on Twitter.

Independent

In turn, Maurice has been complaining about Lennie's fall from form.

Independent

Harriman has been complaining that Rockefeller won't debate national issues.

The New Yorker

She has been complaining of pains in her side since the baby was born nearly two years ago.

The Guardian

One resident, Mr Li, says his community has been complaining since 2003.

The Guardian

Mr. Cucuzza has been complaining about the missing sidewalk since he moved to the area three years ago.

The New York Times

Our sources say Warner has been complaining about the deal they did with MySpace.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct idiomatic form: "has been complained about". Using "has been complained" without "about" is grammatically incorrect.

Common error

A frequent mistake is omitting the preposition "about" after "complained". Remember that "complain" typically requires a preposition to link to the subject of the complaint: "They have complained about the noise", not "They have complained the noise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been complained" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It typically requires the preposition 'about' to correctly link the verb to its object. As Ludwig AI says, the correct form is generally "has been complained about".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "has been complained" appears in some contexts, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI notes, the correct and idiomatic form is "has been complained about". Because of its incorrectness, avoid using it in formal writing. Instead, opt for alternatives like "has received complaints" or "has been criticized" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Despite its occasional appearance in sources like The New York Times and The Independent, it is highly recommended to use the proper form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been complained about

Adds the necessary preposition "about" to make the phrase grammatically correct and idiomatic.

has received complaints

Replaces the verb "complained" with a more standard and direct expression of receiving negative feedback.

has been criticized

Uses a stronger verb, "criticized", to suggest a more formal or severe form of disapproval.

has drawn objections

Indicates that opposition or disagreement has been voiced regarding something.

has faced disapproval

Highlights that something has encountered a negative reception or lack of support.

has sparked concerns

Emphasizes that something has generated worry or anxiety among people.

has triggered grievances

Indicates that something has caused formal complaints or expressions of dissatisfaction.

concerns have been raised

Focuses on the act of expressing concerns rather than the object of the complaints.

issues have been voiced

Highlights that problems or difficulties have been communicated.

dissatisfaction has been expressed

Formally conveys that unhappiness or discontent has been communicated.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "complain" in the passive voice?

The correct form is to use the preposition "about" after "complained". For example, "The service "has been complained about"" is correct, while "The service has been complained" is not.

What can I use instead of "has been complained"?

Alternatives include "has received complaints", "has been criticized", or "has drawn objections", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "has been complained" ever correct?

In standard English, "has been complained" is generally considered incorrect. The idiomatic form requires the preposition "about" when specifying what is being complained about.

How do I properly use the phrase 'complain about'?

Ensure that the object of the complaint is clearly identified using the preposition 'about'. For instance, 'The customers "have been complaining about" the long wait times' is grammatically sound.