it has been complained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been complained" is not correct in standard English usage.
A more appropriate form would be "it has been complained about" or "there have been complaints." Example: "It has been complained about that the service was slow during peak hours."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

58 human-written examples

CHASE: I'm one of those people who miss everything once it's gone, no matter how much I've been complaining about it.

The New York Times - Arts

Since it took effect earlier this year, Wall Street has been complaining endlessly about the cost of compliance with Regulation FD and claiming that it has resulted in a less well-informed market.

The Economist

The guy downstairs has been complaining.

Vice

Until now, Windows RT featured the desktop versions of Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint, but ever since it launched, business users have been complaining about the lack of Outlook.

TechCrunch

It's something that people have been complaining about on this show for a very long time.

Huffington Post

Russia's neighbours have been complaining that it is broadcasting "propaganda" on its television channels.

BBC

Some of the British women have been complaining because it's the depths of winter and there's no electricity.

The Guardian

Tearing the pages out of books and rubbing out words that might worry their little one — it was just what Katharine White had been complaining about all along.

The New Yorker

For all that people have been complaining that it's all been downhill since the first album, they seem to be going over well enough with the crowd.

The Guardian - Music

She had been complaining about it ever since the police station was a vacant lot, with a Montefiore methadone clinic operating out of an empty synagogue at one end, and an accumulation of weeds, and garbage piled up everywhere.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "it has been complained about" or "complaints have been made" to ensure grammatical correctness when expressing that complaints have occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been complained" without the preposition "about". This omission results in a grammatically incorrect sentence. Always specify what is being complained about.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been complained" is an incorrect passive construction. A correct version would be "it has been complained about". Based on Ludwig, it is rarely used, and the correct forms are preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been complained" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig, the correct form is "it has been complained about" or using alternative expressions like "complaints have been made". Using grammatically correct alternatives ensures clarity and professionalism in writing. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using "it has been complained" and opt for the suggested alternatives. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy to effectively convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been complained about

Adds the preposition "about" to correct the grammatical structure, indicating the subject of the complaint.

complaints have been made

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the existence of complaints, using a more standard grammatical structure.

people have complained

Uses a more direct and active voice to state that individuals have made complaints.

concerns have been raised

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the expression of worries or issues.

concerns have been expressed

Indicates worries or anxieties have been communicated.

issues have been voiced

Highlights the act of expressing problems or difficulties.

it has been reported

Indicates that information about complaints has been formally communicated or documented.

objections have been noted

Indicates that opposition or disapproval has been officially recorded.

dissatisfaction has been expressed

Focuses on the feeling of unhappiness or discontent that has been communicated.

grievances have been aired

Emphasizes the public expression of complaints or causes of distress.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "it has been complained"?

The correct way to phrase this is "it has been complained about" or "complaints have been made". The original phrasing is missing a preposition and is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "it has been complained"?

You can use alternatives such as "concerns have been raised", "issues have been voiced", or "objections have been noted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it has been complained" or "it has been complained about"?

"It has been complained about" is the correct and grammatically sound option. The phrase "it has been complained" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "it has been complained" and "people have complained"?

"It has been complained" is grammatically incorrect. "People have complained" is a correct alternative, indicating that individuals have made complaints directly.