he complained that

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "he complained that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone expressing their opinion about a situation in a negative way. Example: He complained that the food at the restaurant was not cooked properly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He complained that Martin "really mauled me".

The New York Times - Sports

He complained that splinters tore his gloves.

The New York Times

He complained that the road had changed the village's culture.

The New Yorker

He complained that the place was too full of God.

The New Yorker

Asked about it, he complained that his leg hurt.

The New Yorker

That would help!" He complained that his stomach was growling.

The New Yorker

But he complained that his mission was being sidetracked.

The Economist

Even in the summer he complained that it was freezing.

The Guardian - Arts

6. "He complained that he'd really hurt his foot.

The Guardian - Books

He complained that Mr. Bradley had no program on education.

The New York Times

He complained that ranch owners treat cowboys like good slaves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he complained that" to clearly indicate someone's expression of dissatisfaction or grievance regarding a specific situation or issue. Ensure the statement following 'that' is a complete clause providing the details of the complaint.

Common error

Avoid using "he complained that" without specifying who 'he' refers to. Ensure the subject is clear from the context or explicitly stated to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he complained that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement expressing someone's dissatisfaction or grievance. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in English, serving to relay negative feedback or objections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he complained that" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to report someone's expression of dissatisfaction or grievance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement conveying negative feedback or objections. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who 'he' refers to and that the statement following 'that' provides details of the complaint. Alternatives include "he protested that" or "he objected that", depending on the context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he objected that

Replaces 'complained' with 'objected', implying a formal expression of disagreement.

he protested that

Replaces 'complained' with 'protested', indicating a stronger expression of disapproval.

he expressed his dissatisfaction that

Rephrases to highlight the expression of dissatisfaction.

he voiced his displeasure that

Rephrases the sentence to explicitly state the expression of displeasure.

he grumbled that

Substitutes 'complained' with 'grumbled', suggesting a more subdued or muttered form of complaint.

he was critical of the fact that

Highlights a critical stance toward a particular situation or fact.

he lamented that

Substitutes 'complained' with 'lamented', indicating a sorrowful expression of grievance.

he argued that

Replaces 'complained' with 'argued', suggesting a more reasoned or debated objection.

he expressed concern that

Indicates worry or unease about a situation.

he pointed out that

While less direct than a complaint, it can indicate a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "he complained that" in a sentence?

Use "he complained that" to introduce a statement expressing someone's dissatisfaction or grievance. For example, "He complained that the service was slow".

What are some alternatives to "he complained that"?

You can use alternatives such as "he protested that", "he objected that", or "he expressed dissatisfaction that" to convey similar meanings.

Is it always negative when someone "complained that"?

Yes, "he complained that" generally indicates a negative sentiment, expressing some form of dissatisfaction, grievance, or objection about a particular situation.

What's the difference between "he complained that" and "he noted that"?

"He complained that" indicates dissatisfaction or a problem, while "he noted that" is a more neutral observation. For example, "He complained that the food was cold" versus "He noted that the food was ready".