legitimate complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate complaint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a valid or justifiable grievance or issue that someone has raised. Example: "After reviewing the situation, I found that her concerns about the product's quality were indeed a legitimate complaint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Is this a legitimate complaint?

The New York Times - Books

They have a legitimate complaint.

The New York Times

That is a legitimate complaint about a failure of practice.

The Guardian

"They have a legitimate complaint," Mr. Gore said today.

The New York Times

On one level, the Devils have a legitimate complaint.

The New York Times - Sports

The most legitimate complaint, though, is that Flickr's overall focus has changed.

The New York Times - Tech

"If he had been thrown out, we didn't have any legitimate complaint," Bahr said.

The New York Times - Sports

"A legitimate complaint," he said, "is going to get lost in the shuffle".

The New York Times

The Swiss would have been seen to have a legitimate complaint, the referee would have to give a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Only one group has a legitimate complaint against the spread of elected mayors – well, legitimate in their terms.

Independent

He admits that Hamilton "had a legitimate complaint," but adds, "I didn't have a lot of solutions for the problem".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legitimate complaint" when you want to emphasize that a grievance has a valid basis and should be taken seriously. It's stronger than simply saying someone has a "complaint".

Common error

While "legitimate complaint" is a useful phrase, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "valid concern" or "justified grievance" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate complaint" functions as a noun phrase, where "legitimate" is an adjective modifying the noun "complaint". It identifies a specific type of complaint: one that is valid and justifiable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legitimate complaint" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a valid grievance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used, particularly in news and media contexts, to emphasize that a complaint is justified and deserves attention. While synonyms such as "valid complaint" or "justified grievance" can add variety to your writing, "legitimate complaint" remains a reliable and effective choice. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the validity and importance of a particular grievance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid complaint

Emphasizes the factual or logical basis of the complaint.

justified grievance

Highlights the fairness and reason behind the complaint.

reasonable objection

Focuses on the rationality and appropriateness of the complaint.

well-founded concern

Stresses that the concern has a solid basis in facts or evidence.

genuine dissatisfaction

Emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity of the complaint.

valid concern

A more general term for a concern that is based on valid reasons.

substantiated claim

Highlights that the complaint is supported by evidence.

real issue

Focuses on the authenticity and importance of the problem.

sound objection

Emphasizes that the complaint is based on solid reasoning.

merited criticism

Highlights that the criticism is deserved and justified.

FAQs

What does "legitimate complaint" mean?

A "legitimate complaint" refers to a grievance or issue that is considered valid, justified, or based on reasonable grounds. It implies that the complaint has merit and deserves attention.

What can I say instead of "legitimate complaint"?

You can use alternatives like "valid complaint", "justified grievance", or "reasonable objection" depending on the context.

How to use "legitimate complaint" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate complaint" to describe a grievance that is valid. For example: "The customer had a "legitimate complaint" about the defective product."

Is "legitimate complaint" formal or informal language?

"Legitimate complaint" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While professional language may demand a clearer explanation of the causes for the complaint, the phrase itself is quite neutral.