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Prepositions with nouns

Complaint with different prepositions

Complaint commonly combines with about, against, to, and from. The prepositions in the query are used in more limited ways.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with complaint?

A complaint about something and a complaint to someone are the most common patterns. Complaint with is uncommon except in fixed expressions such as file a complaint with. Complaint of appears in formal or medical contexts.

a complaint about noise
a complaint to the manager
filed a complaint with the police

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
complaint about + issue

Naming the problem

About introduces the subject of the complaint.

complaint about delays
2
complaint to + person/organisation

Showing who receives the complaint

Use to for the authority or recipient.

complaint to customer service
3
complaint with + organisation

Formal filing expression

With appears in expressions such as lodge a complaint with.

complaint with the regulator
4
complaint of + symptom/problem

Formal or medical use

Of is formal and often used for reported symptoms or grievances.

complaint of chest pain

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
complaint of
The patient had a complaint of dizziness.
formal statement of symptoms or grievances
complaint with
She filed a complaint with the council.
recipient organisation in a formal process
complaint to
He sent a complaint to the landlord.
person or organisation receiving it
complaint for
They demanded compensation for the complaint.
for is not a usual direct pairing after complaint
complaint after
He complained after the meeting.
after functions as a time adjunct, not a noun pattern

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for directly after complaint

English normally uses complaint about or complaint against.

✕ complaint for the service ✓ complaint about the service

Using with for the topic

With usually introduces the organisation receiving the complaint.

✕ complaint with noise ✓ complaint about noise

Using of in everyday complaints

Complaint of sounds formal or medical.

✕ a complaint of slow internet ✓ a complaint about slow internet

Confusing complaint to and complaint against

To names the recipient; against names the target.

✕ complaint to the company policy ✓ complaint against the company policy

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She made a complaint ___ the poor service.
2. They submitted a complaint ___ the airline.
3. He filed a complaint ___ the local authority.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common preposition after complaint?

About is very common because it introduces the problem being complained about.

Can I say complaint with?

Yes, especially in formal phrases like file a complaint with the police.

Is complaint of old-fashioned?

It is still used, mainly in formal, legal, or medical contexts.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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