moan

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'moan' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe the sound a person makes when expressing sorrow, grief, or pain. Example sentence: Julia stood in the darkened room and let out a low moan of despair.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luis Enrique, building a new team with Ivan Rakitic signed to play where Xavi always did, was clear: "If you stay, fantastic, but if you don't play don't moan to me".

The Guardian - Sport

I'd moan about how unbearably smug this must make all those stupid optimists, but my time here is limited and it'd probably only slash a couple more months off my life.

The Guardian - Opinion

As much as we moan about the oligarchs pouring their money into the game, deep down we secretly hope one day they will tire of the Bridge, and look eastwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Heaven knows, they need like-minded souls they can moan to about how much they have to tweet, blog, vlog, Vine, opine and generally be their own marketing department – in addition to the tiny matter of actually writing the books.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There's loads of things I could complain about with Ed Miliband: Trident this, mugs with immigrant, there's loads of things I could moan about.

The Guardian

After the 2012 Olympic marathon, which I didn't finish because of a bad injury, I didn't want to just sit, moan and be down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We certainly should all "piss & moan" less about "Ridiculous Things!".

The Guardian

It was thus he met Bernstein and saw in him an official, as a mutual acquaintance puts it, who "doesn't moan, gets thing done, has no sense of political rivalry and – rare in Manchester – does not hate London".

The Guardian

He doesn't even moan about being misquoted; he blames himself for saying things he regrets.

The Guardian - Film

"When you go to different parts of the world, if it's hot it's hot, you acclimatise, you find ways to keep yourself cool and you don't moan about it.

The Guardian - Sport

The thought of having their dollars frozen under American banking sanctions, or of being locked out of America's capital markets altogether, has cooled enthusiasm for doing business in Iran.Yet some foreign businessmen moan that American companies are not playing by the same rules.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "moan", ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to a vocal expression of pain/pleasure or a complaint. This distinction prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "moan" when a stronger term like "criticize" or "condemn" is more appropriate. "Moan" suggests a less forceful expression of dissatisfaction.

Linguistic Context

The word "moan" primarily functions as a verb, denoting the act of complaining or expressing discontent, as evidenced by examples like "They moan about high taxes". It can also function as a noun, referring to a low, mournful sound, like "a soft moan of despair". Ludwig AI validates these functions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "moan" is a versatile term that can function as both a verb and a noun, generally meaning to complain or emit a mournful sound. As Ludwig AI confirms, the grammatical function is correct. It's most frequently found in news and media, formal writing, and sometimes science. While "moan" is a common term, it's important to consider the context and choose the most appropriate word; alternatives like "complain", "groan", or "lament" may be more suitable in certain situations. While generally neutral in register, avoiding overuse and ensuring clarity in your writing is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complain

Direct synonym focusing on expressing dissatisfaction.

groan

Focuses on the sound of discomfort, similar to one definition of "moan".

grumble

Suggests a low, indistinct complaint.

lament

Emphasizes sorrowful expression, a more formal alternative.

bemoan

To express distress or sorrow over something.

whine

Implies a high-pitched, irritating complaint.

gripe

Informal term for complaining persistently.

bewail

Formal way of expressing great sorrow or regret.

object

Expresses opposition or disapproval.

protest

Strongly express disapproval or disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "moan" in a sentence?

You can use "moan" to describe the act of complaining or to describe a low, mournful sound. For example: "They often "moan" about the weather", or "She let out a soft "moan" of pleasure".

What can I say instead of "moan"?

You can use alternatives like "complain", "groan", or "grumble" depending on the context.

Is it better to "moan" or to "criticize"?

The choice between ""moan"" and "criticize" depends on the intensity of the disapproval you want to convey. "Moan" suggests a less formal, often less severe expression of discontent, while "criticize" implies a more direct and potentially harsh assessment.

What's the difference between "moan" and "groan"?

"Moan" often refers to complaining, while "groan" typically refers to a sound of pain or displeasure. However, "groan" can also be used to express strong disapproval.