real complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "real complaint" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a genuine or valid grievance or issue that someone has raised. Example: "After reviewing the feedback, I realized that the customer's concerns were a real complaint that needed to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Is that a real complaint?" Murphy asks.

The Guardian - Music

Their real complaint was that it worked.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it's also not your real complaint, I suspect.

University of California, Berkeley

But no matter, Mr Krauthammer's real complaint is more general.

The Economist

Honestly, I haven't had one real complaint about it yet.

The New York Times - Sports

The real complaint of civil libertarians centres on the way they have been put into practice.

The Economist

Couldn't the lawyer have made this 'denuncia' without there even being a real complaint behind it?

The Guardian - Sport

My only real complaint is that the management does not sufficiently sequester private parties.

The New York Times

Ball's real complaint seems to be that the sentencing judge went far outside the sentencing guidelines.

The Washington Post

His real complaint is with the compensation the city is offering him to leave.

The New York Times

Now, their only real complaint is the early morning garbage collection.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "real complaint", ensure the context clearly indicates that the issue is genuine and not merely perceived or imagined.

Common error

Avoid using "real complaint" to describe minor inconveniences or insignificant problems. Reserve it for situations involving substantial grievances that warrant serious attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real complaint" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "real" modifies the noun "complaint". It identifies a specific type of complaint, one that is genuine or valid. Ludwig examples show it frequently denotes an actual, substantiated grievance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "real complaint" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a genuine grievance. As verified by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, with a significant presence in news and media. While alternatives like "legitimate grievance" and "valid objection" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to reserve "real complaint" for issues of substance to maintain clarity and impact. Being mindful of these nuances will enhance your writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Legitimate grievance

Focuses on the validity and justification of the complaint.

Valid objection

Emphasizes the soundness and relevance of the opposition.

Genuine concern

Highlights the sincerity and seriousness of the worry.

Substantive issue

Draws attention to the significant and concrete nature of the problem.

Justified criticism

Points out that the criticism is well-founded and reasonable.

Warranted concern

Emphasizes that the worry is justified and appropriate.

Well-founded grievance

Highlights that the grievance has a solid basis in fact.

Legitimate concern

Focuses on the lawfulness and justification of the concern.

Authentic problem

Emphasizes the genuineness and reality of the issue.

Tangible complaint

Highlights that the complaint is based on something that can be clearly perceived or understood.

FAQs

How can I use "real complaint" in a sentence?

You can use "real complaint" to describe a genuine grievance. For example: "The customer's "real complaint" was that the product arrived damaged."

What can I say instead of "real complaint"?

You can use alternatives like "legitimate grievance", "valid objection", or "genuine concern" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "real complaint" or "fake complaint"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Real complaint" refers to a genuine issue, while "fake complaint" refers to a false or fabricated issue.

What's the difference between "real complaint" and "serious complaint"?

"Real complaint" emphasizes the genuineness of the issue, while "serious complaint" emphasizes the severity or importance of the issue. A "real complaint" might not always be serious, and a "serious complaint" is expected to be genuine.