started complaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started complaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of a process where someone expresses dissatisfaction or grievances about something. Example: "After the meeting, several team members started complaining about the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The neighbors started complaining".

The New York Times

One bloke started complaining about his wife.

The Guardian

Soon afterwards customers started complaining about rocketing power bills.

The Economist

The movement started complaining about the bus ticket fare.

The New York Times

But when I asked her she started complaining.

The New Yorker

In 1921 Lenin started complaining that he was ill.

The New York Times - Health

Soon he started complaining about the weather in Brussels.

Harvard Business Review

In January, Dainess started complaining about pain in her back.

The Guardian

But about a year and some 40 implants later, patients started complaining of pain.

The New York Times - Health

One of them then started complaining bitterly about being held up.

Independent

"He's started complaining about his master," he said, "who was giving him a job yesterday".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "started complaining", ensure the context clearly indicates what triggered the complaints. Be specific about the cause of dissatisfaction to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "People started complaining". Instead, specify who is complaining and what they are complaining about. For instance, say "Residents started complaining about the increased traffic noise" for more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started complaining" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of expressing grievances or dissatisfaction. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing how individuals or groups begin to voice their unhappiness about something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started complaining" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the beginning of expressing dissatisfaction or grievances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "began to grumble" or "expressed dissatisfaction" exist, "started complaining" maintains a neutral tone and is readily understood. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to provide specific context regarding who is complaining and what they are complaining about. Overall, this phrase is a reliable and versatile tool for describing the onset of expressed discontent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to grumble

Emphasizes a low-level, continuous expression of discontent.

expressed dissatisfaction

A more general and formal way to indicate unhappiness.

expressed concerns

Indicates worry or unease, often about potential negative outcomes.

voiced their displeasure

Highlights the act of making dissatisfaction known, often publicly.

raised objections

Focuses on pointing out specific reasons for disagreement or disapproval.

registered their discontent

A formal way of indicating unhappiness or dissatisfaction.

initiated a grievance

Suggests a formal or official complaint.

became critical of

Focuses on expressing negative judgment or fault-finding.

lodged a protest

Implies a more active and potentially organized form of complaint.

commenced their moaning

Suggests a whining or complaining tone.

FAQs

How can I use "started complaining" in a sentence?

You can use "started complaining" to describe the beginning of a period of expressed dissatisfaction. For example, "After the policy change, employees "started complaining" about the workload".

What are some alternatives to "started complaining"?

Alternatives include phrases like "began to grumble", "expressed dissatisfaction", or "raised objections". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "began complaining" or "started complaining"?

Both "began complaining" and "started complaining" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, although began is considered slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "started complaining" and "voiced concerns"?

"Started complaining" generally implies a more negative and potentially incessant expression of dissatisfaction, while "voiced concerns" suggests a more measured and constructive expression of worry or unease. The latter is often used in professional settings.