number one complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number one complaint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the most significant or frequent issue that people express dissatisfaction about. Example: "The number one complaint from customers this year has been the delay in shipping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

What was the number one complaint on the survey?

The New York Times

And in one sweep, by switching to Android, BlackBerry has solved the company's notorious 'app problem' — the lack of apps on BlackBerry 10 being the number one complaint from existing and past customers, myself included.

TechCrunch

At the same time, the number one complaint that European viewers make is that there is nothing to watch on TV.

TechCrunch

The number one complaint that comes to me from our customers is asking for a courtesy credit bureau retraction.

The Washington Post

I've worked closely with dozens of senior executives over the years — and the number one complaint I hear from them is that people won't tell them the truth.

Harvard Business Review

"As I travel around the country the number one complaint I hear from teachers is that state bubble tests pressure teachers to teach to a test that doesn't measure what really matters," Duncan said in a statement.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Fast and Furious has been one of the number one complaints we get in our office and why no one has been held accountable".

Huffington Post

One of the number one complaints we get from other parents is that they can't get their kids to eat vegetables.

Huffington Post

America's most glaring weaknesses, they felt, were its political system (this was the number-one complaint by far), its schools, its insanely complex tax code, its macroeconomic policies, its regulations and its legal system.

The Economist

Its lead in some of these areas is increasing, they reckoned.America's most glaring weaknesses, they felt, were its political system (this was the number-one complaint by far), its schools, its insanely complex tax code, its macroeconomic policies, its regulations and its legal system.

The Economist

For the 12th year in a row, ID theft is the number-one complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, the agency announced recently.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "number one complaint", ensure the context clearly indicates who is lodging the complaint and what the subject of the complaint is. For example, "The number one complaint from customers was the long wait times."

Common error

Avoid assuming you know the "number one complaint" without proper data. Base your statement on surveys, feedback, or reliable information to accurately represent the primary concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number one complaint" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies the most frequent or significant issue of concern. It is used to highlight the primary source of dissatisfaction, as Ludwig demonstrates through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "number one complaint" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the most frequent or significant issue of concern. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammar rules. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but is also found in science and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that you clearly identify the source and subject of the complaint for maximum clarity. Alternatives such as "top grievance", "main concern", and "primary issue" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top grievance

Changes the word "complaint" to "grievance", which implies a stronger sense of injustice.

main concern

Replaces "complaint" with "concern", focusing on worry rather than dissatisfaction.

primary issue

Substitutes "complaint" with "issue", presenting the matter as a problem to be resolved.

chief objection

Uses "objection" instead of "complaint", indicating a formal disapproval.

leading source of dissatisfaction

More verbose, emphasizes the feeling of unhappiness as the core issue.

biggest problem

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the magnitude of the issue.

foremost concern

Emphasizes that the concern is at the front or top of mind.

principal grievance

Combines "principal" and "grievance" to stress the primary source of discontent.

major source of complaints

Highlights that it is one of the largest contributors to the overall level of complaints.

most frequent complaint

Focuses on the repetition of the same complaint.

FAQs

How can I use "number one complaint" in a sentence?

You can use "number one complaint" to refer to the most frequent or significant issue that people express dissatisfaction about. For example, "The "number one complaint" among students is the lack of parking spaces."

What are some alternatives to "number one complaint"?

Alternatives include "top grievance", "main concern", or "primary issue". Depending on the context, you might also use "chief objection" or "leading source of dissatisfaction".

Is it correct to say "the number one complaint is..."?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "the "number one complaint" is..." This phrase is commonly used to introduce the most significant or frequent issue being raised.

What's the difference between "number one complaint" and "main concern"?

"Number one complaint" specifically refers to an expressed dissatisfaction or grievance. "Main concern" /s/main+concern is broader and can refer to a worry or issue that may not have been formally expressed as a complaint.