she complained that

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "she complained that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that describes a complaint the person made. For example: "She complained that her friends always ignored her feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Last week she complained that weren't any Agatha Christies in the world today.

Huffington Post

She complained that this was totally "unacceptable".

The Guardian - Opinion

She complained that deaf athletes "really don't get financial support".

Independent

She complained that her buttocks hurt, patting her glutes.

The New York Times - Health

She complained that their cruelty gives them a competitive advantage.

The New York Times

She complained that New York was not America.

The New Yorker

She complained that Obama did not mention victory.

The Guardian - Opinion

She complained that the cows could not be milked.

The Guardian - Travel

She complained that a colorist at another salon had done a lackluster job.

The New York Times

She complained that the galloping of the Dane in the apartment overhead was unbearable.

The New Yorker

But she complained that constipation was making her nauseated and uncomfortable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she complained that", ensure the following clause accurately reflects the nature and context of her complaint. Avoid ambiguity or misrepresentation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating or downplaying the significance of the complaint when using "she complained that". Accurately convey the intensity and impact of her concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she complained that" functions as a reporting clause, specifically used to introduce a statement of grievance or dissatisfaction made by a female subject. It signals that the following clause contains her complaint, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she complained that" is a commonly used reporting phrase indicating a statement of grievance or dissatisfaction, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media, with additional occurrences in Science and Business contexts, this phrase effectively introduces a complaint made by a female subject. To ensure clarity and accuracy, it is best practice to avoid exaggeration and accurately represent the nature of the complaint when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she expressed her displeasure that

Similar to the original phrase, but uses "displeasure" to convey dissatisfaction.

she voiced her dissatisfaction that

Replaces "complained" with a more formal expression of discontent.

she objected that

Indicates a formal disagreement or opposition.

she protested that

Suggests a stronger form of objection or complaint.

she argued that

Presents the complaint as part of a larger discussion or debate.

she pointed out that

Highlights the complaint as a noteworthy observation.

she grumbled that

Implies a less formal and perhaps more subdued complaint.

she reported that

Frames the complaint as a piece of information being conveyed.

she lamented that

Conveys a sense of sorrow or regret when complaining.

she whined that

Suggests a childish or annoying form of complaint.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she complained that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "she voiced her dissatisfaction that" or "she expressed her displeasure that".

What are some less formal alternatives to "she complained that"?

Less formal options include "she grumbled that" or "she whined that", depending on the context and the tone you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "she complained that" and "she argued that"?

"She complained that" implies a statement of grievance or dissatisfaction, while "she argued that" suggests a presentation of reasoning or evidence to support a point of view, potentially including a complaint.

How to ensure that I use "she complained that" correctly in a sentence?

Make sure that the clause following "she complained that" accurately represents what she said and the context in which she said it. Avoid adding your own interpretations or exaggerations.