it was complained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was complained" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "it was complained about" or "there was a complaint." Example: "It was complained about that the service was too slow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This overseas attention was particularly galling in Britain, where it was complained that, "while scarcely any one thinks Maclean's arguments worthy of a serious refutation, we find Americans, French, Germans, and Italians, setting themselves to investigate in the most elaborate manner, the various grounds for his opinions".

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A bullet sounds as if it were "complaining about something".

The New Yorker

"But you find out in his heart, maybe it is complaining.

The New Yorker

Also, if there's one thing fashion people love more than getting dressed up, it's complaining.

The New York Times

That didn't last long, not that I'm complaining that it's over.

The Guardian - Sport

As she remembers it, everyone was complaining about work.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's like she was complaining about my real apartment".

The New York Times - Arts

Mark Zuckerberg got his chance when everyone was complaining it was very difficult to find old friends.

WikiHow

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

The New York Times

But it looked like no one was complaining".

Wikipedia

And Charlie was complaining about it in 1965!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it was complained" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "complaints were made" or "it was reported".

Common error

Using "it was complained" often results in a weak passive construction. Instead, specify who made the complaint or what the complaint was about to create a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was complained" attempts to express that a complaint was made, but the construction is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI points out that a better formulation would be "it was complained about" or "there was a complaint".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was complained" might appear in various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Standard English prefers alternatives such as "it was complained about" or "there was a complaint". Due to its grammatical issues, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for clearer, more accepted alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complaints were made

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the action of complaining by unspecified actors. Removes the 'it was' structure and provides an expression about an action rather than a state.

it was reported

Replaces "complained" with a more neutral term, indicating the relaying of information without necessarily implying dissatisfaction.

concerns were raised

Substitutes "complained" with a phrase suggesting the expression of worries or issues, which is often a less confrontational way of communicating discontent.

objections were voiced

Replaces "complained" with a more formal term for expressing disagreement or opposition.

dissatisfaction was expressed

Uses a more formal and passive construction to indicate that unhappiness was communicated.

issues were highlighted

Shifts the focus to problems or difficulties that were brought to attention, rather than explicitly stating a complaint.

grievances were aired

Indicates that complaints or causes of distress were expressed, often in a public or formal setting.

people grumbled

Uses a more informal verb to suggest low-level complaining or discontent, often done privately or among peers.

there was discontent

Highlights the general feeling of unhappiness or dissatisfaction, without specifying individual complaints.

voices of dissent arose

Emphasizes the emergence of opposition or disagreement, often in a more public or organized manner.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it was complained"?

Instead of "it was complained", you can use phrases like "complaints were made", "it was reported", or "concerns were raised" for clearer communication.

Is "it was complained" grammatically correct?

The phrase "it was complained" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate construction would be "it was complained about" or "there was a complaint".

How can I use "complained" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "complained" correctly by specifying who is complaining and what they are complaining about. For example, "The customers complained about the slow service" or "He complained that the product was defective".

What's the difference between "it was complained" and "there was a complaint"?

"It was complained" is not standard English. "There was a complaint" is a correct and more common way to express that someone has made a complaint. It is grammatically sound and widely understood.