he was complained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was complained" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "he was complained about"? You can use "he was complained about" when indicating that someone is the subject of a complaint made by others. Example: "After the incident, it was clear that he was complained about by several team members for his behavior."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We should be allowed to remember Knut as he was," complained Anna Tonnemacher, 36, a Berlin resident, "To stuff him and put him on display would be both tasteless and degrading".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not that he was complaining.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was complaining about his writer.

The New Yorker

"He was complaining that the decision was rigged," Sugar said.

The New York Times - Sports

He was complaining about how stressed it made him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not that he was complaining about the interview topics.

The New York Times - Sports

But he was complaining to the wrong person.

The Guardian

Unlike a lot of people, he was complaining that it wasn't hot enough.

The New York Times

He was complaining about a decision-making process that was cumbersome by American standards.

The New York Times

John Owens's spoon had gone missing, and he was complaining vociferously.

The New Yorker

He was complaining that he never got to see me on stage.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "he was complained about" or rephrase to "complaints were made against him" for grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "he was complained" as it is grammatically incorrect. Always include "about" when using the passive voice to indicate that someone is the subject of a complaint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was complained" functions incorrectly as it omits the necessary preposition 'about' to complete the passive voice construction. Ludwig AI highlights this error, indicating that the phrase requires modification to be grammatically sound. Without 'about', it lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

33%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was complained" is grammatically incorrect and requires the addition of 'about' to form a correct passive construction. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "he was complained about". Although examples exist, primarily in news and scientific contexts, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct form for clarity and professionalism. Alternatives such as "complaints were made against him" offer clearer and more accepted ways to express the same idea. Remember to always include 'about' to avoid grammatical errors and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complaints were made against him

This alternative uses a passive voice to indicate that complaints were directed towards the person.

he was the subject of complaints

This phrase directly states that the person was the focus of complaints.

people complained about his behavior

This explicitly states that people voiced their dissatisfaction with his actions.

he faced accusations

This alternative implies a more formal or serious form of complaint.

a complaint was filed about him

This denotes a formal, often legal or administrative, complaint.

grievances were lodged against him

This option suggests a formal and official complaint process.

he received criticism

This is a milder form, indicating disapproval or fault-finding.

concerns were raised about him

This suggests that people expressed worry or unease regarding the person.

he was reported

This implies that someone informed authorities or superiors about the person's actions.

he was denounced

This suggests a public and forceful expression of disapproval.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone was the subject of complaints?

The correct phrasing is "he was complained "complained about"" or "complaints were made against him".

Is "he was complained" grammatically correct?

No, "he was complained" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form requires the preposition "about": "he was complained "complained about"".

What are some alternatives to "he was complained about"?

Alternatives include "complaints were made against him", "he was the subject of complaints", or "grievances were lodged against him".

When should I use "he was complained about" in a sentence?

Use "he was complained "complained about"" when indicating that someone is the subject of a complaint made by others, typically in a passive voice construction.