we received a complaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we received a complaint" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when informing someone about a grievance or issue that has been reported to you or your organization. Example: "After reviewing the situation, we received a complaint regarding the service provided last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"If we received a complaint based on a public health concern we would investigate".

The New York Times

Spokeswoman Leah Spears said: "We received a complaint this morning about the name of a fancy dress outfit.

The Guardian - Business

A police spokesman said: "We received a complaint about the manner of the tweet posted by one of our officers from a member of the public.

The Guardian

I was reminded of this last week when we received a complaint about our report that Chris Bryant MP had criticised the Baftas for being dominated by white faces.

Independent

When we received a complaint from the Israeli embassy on 16 October about the Guardian's coverage of Israel/Palestine issues, it was the 17th this year and the third in three days.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just this last week we received a complaint from a parent about a Birmingham school where Hindu, Sikh and Muslim children are enrolled but Hinduism is not taught at all in RE lessons.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"But if there's a general agreement on quotas and we receive a complaint, we'd have to intervene".

Independent

"We cannot do anything until we receive a complaint," he told BBC Scotland.

BBC

"However, should we receive a complaint, the SPL has a duty to investigate and adjudicate on that contract".

BBC

When we receive a complaint alleging that a video infringes another person or company's copyrights, we remove that video.

TechCrunch

"If we had received a complaint, we would have investigated," said Deborah Bohren, the vice president for public affairs at New York University Langone Medical Center.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "we received a complaint", be prepared to provide context. Clearly state the nature of the complaint, who filed it, and what actions are being taken to address it. This ensures transparency and builds trust.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we received a complaint" without any further details. This can create anxiety and speculation. Instead, offer a brief summary of the complaint's subject to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we received a complaint" functions as a statement of acknowledgement. It indicates that the speaker or their organization has been made aware of an issue or grievance. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we received a complaint" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to acknowledge the receipt of a grievance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly valid. It's most frequently found in news and business contexts, signaling a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, be sure to provide context and avoid vagueness to maintain transparency. Alternatives include "a complaint was lodged with us" or "we were notified of a grievance". Remember, stating "we received a complaint" is often the first step in addressing and resolving an issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complaint was lodged with us

Emphasizes the formal submission of the complaint to the organization.

we were notified of a grievance

Focuses on the notification aspect of the complaint.

a concern was raised with us

Highlights the element of concern that initiated the complaint.

we had a grievance submitted

Highlights the submission of the grievance.

a report of misconduct reached us

Specifically refers to a report related to misconduct.

we were informed about an issue

Focuses on the act of being informed about a problem.

an issue was brought to our attention

Highlights that the issue was actively brought to the forefront.

we were alerted to a problem

Emphasizes the alerting aspect of identifying the problem.

a matter was reported to us

Focuses on the formal reporting of a specific matter.

a protest was filed with our office

Highlights the act of filing a formal protest.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we received a complaint" in a professional setting?

In professional contexts, you can use more formal alternatives like "a complaint was lodged with us" or "we were notified of a grievance". These alternatives, semantically similar to "we received a complaint", emphasize the formal nature of the communication.

What does it mean when someone says, "we received a complaint"?

The phrase "we received a complaint" means that an individual or entity has formally communicated their dissatisfaction or grievance to the organization or person speaking. The nature of this grievance can vary widely.

Is there a difference between "we received a complaint" and "we received feedback"?

Yes, while both involve receiving information, "we received a complaint" indicates a negative issue or grievance, whereas "we received feedback" is more general and can include both positive and negative comments. The phrase "we received feedback" does not necessarily indicate dissatisfaction.

How should I respond after saying "we received a complaint"?

After stating "we received a complaint", immediately follow up with information about how the complaint is being addressed. For example, "We received a complaint regarding the service provided last week, and we are currently investigating the matter". Providing context and action steps is crucial.