Confused about Complaint or Complain and not sure which one to use in a sentence? You’re not alone this is one of the most common English grammar mistakes people make. I’ve seen many learners mix them up because the words look and sound so similar.
But here’s the good news: once you understand the simple difference, it becomes super easy to use them correctly. One word is a noun, and the other is a verb and that small change makes a big impact on your sentence.
You’re writing an email, an exam answer, or a social media post, using the right word matters. In this guide, we’ll break it down in the simplest way possible.
So by the end, you’ll never be confused between complaint and complain again.
Quick Answer:
👉 Complain is a verb (an action).
👉 Complaint is a noun (a thing or result of that action).
Now let’s break it down in a simple, beginner-friendly way with grammar tips, examples, tables, and real-life usage. 😊
Understanding “Complain” (Verb) 🗣️
What Does “Complain” Mean?
Complain means to express dissatisfaction, annoyance, or unhappiness about something.
It is an action word (verb).
Structure:
- Complain + about + noun
- Complain + that + clause
- Complain to + person
Examples of “Complain” in Sentences
Here are multiple examples to help you understand proper English usage:
- She complained about the noise next door.
- He always complains that the food is too spicy.
- I want to complain to the manager.
- They complained about the poor service.
- Why are you complaining so much?
- She never complains, even when she is tired.
- Customers often complain about late deliveries.
- He complained that his order was incorrect.
Verb Forms of “Complain”
| Tense | Example |
| Base Form | complain |
| Past Tense | complained |
| Past Participle | complained |
| Present Participle | complaining |
Example:
- Yesterday, she complained about the delay.
- He is complaining again today.
Understanding “Complaint” (Noun) 📝
What Does “Complaint” Mean?
A complaint is a statement of dissatisfaction. It is the result of complaining.
It is a noun, meaning it names a thing.
Examples of “Complaint” in Sentences
- She filed a complaint with the company.
- We received several complaints about the product.
- His main complaint was about the noise.
- The customer submitted a written complaint.
- I have no complaints about your work.
- The police recorded her complaint.
- They are investigating the complaint.
Common Structures with “Complaint”
- Make a complaint
- File a complaint
- Submit a complaint
- Receive a complaint
- Handle a complaint
Example:
- The hotel manager handled the complaint professionally.
Complaint vs Complain: Comparison Table 📊
Here’s a clear comparison table to remove all confusion:
| Feature | Complain | Complaint |
| Part of Speech | Verb | Noun |
| Meaning | To express dissatisfaction | A statement of dissatisfaction |
| Example | She complained about the service. | She made a complaint about the service. |
| Grammar Role | Action | Thing/Result |
| Common Phrases | Complain about, complain to | File a complaint, make a complaint |
The Grammar Rule Behind It 📚
This is a classic example of verb vs noun confusion in English grammar.
Many English words follow this pattern:
| Verb | Noun |
| explain | explanation |
| inform | information |
| decide | decision |
| complain | complaint |
Notice how the noun often changes form completely. This is why correct spelling and English usage rules are important.
Common Mistakes with Complaint and Complain ❌
Here are some typical grammar mistakes learners make:
❌ Incorrect:
- I want to make a complain.
- She gave a complain.
- He complaint about the issue.
✅ Correct:
- I want to make a complaint.
- She made a complaint.
- He complained about the issue.
Why These Mistakes Happen
Because both words:
- Sound similar
- Come from the same root
- Are used in similar situations
But remember:
👉 If it’s an action → use complain
👉 If it’s a thing → use complaint
Easy Memory Trick (Mnemonic) 🧠✨
Here’s a simple grammar tip to remember the difference:
🔹 Complain ends with “-ain” → Think of “Action”
Both have the letter A
🔹 Complaint ends with “-ment” → Think of “Document”
You often write a complaint in a document.
So:
- Complain = Action
- Complaint = Document/Thing
Easy, right? 😊
Real-Life Examples 🌎
Let’s see how these words appear in everyday English.
📧 In Emails
- “I would like to complain about the delayed shipment.”
- “I am writing to make a formal complaint regarding your service.”
📱 On Social Media
- “Customers are complaining about the new update.”
- “The company received thousands of complaints.”
📰 In News Reports
- “Residents complained about rising electricity bills.”
- “The court reviewed the complaint filed by the citizen.”
🎓 In Academic Writing
- “The study analyzes customer complaints in retail businesses.”
- “Participants complained that the instructions were unclear.”
British vs American English 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Good news! There is no spelling difference between British and American English for these words.
Both use:
- complain
- complaint
However, usage frequency may differ slightly in formal contexts. For example:
- British English often uses: “make a complaint”
- American English may say: “file a complaint”
But both are grammatically correct.
Formal vs Informal Usage 🧑💼
Informal:
- Stop complaining!
- She complains too much.
Formal:
- The customer lodged a complaint.
- We have received your complaint.
In professional writing, complaint is more common because it sounds formal and structured.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
1. Is it “make a complain” or “make a complaint”?
✅ Correct: Make a complaint
❌ Incorrect: Make a complain
Because “complaint” is the noun.
2. Can “complaint” be used as a verb?
No ❌
“Complaint” is always a noun.
Correct verb form: complain
3. What is the past tense of complain?
The past tense is complained.
Example:
- She complained about the issue yesterday.
4. How do you use complain in a sentence?
Examples:
- He complained about the service.
- They complained that the room was dirty.
- I complained to the manager.
5. What is an example of complaint?
Example:
- She filed a complaint against the company.
- The complaint was resolved quickly.
6. Why do learners confuse complaint and complain?
Because:
- They look similar
- They have related meanings
- English has irregular noun forms
7. Is it correct to say “no complain”?
❌ No, that’s incorrect.
Correct:
- I have no complaints.
- I do not complain.
Advanced Grammar Insight 🔎
Both words come from Old French complaindre. Over time, English developed:
- Complain (verb)
- Complaint (noun with -ment suffix)
The suffix -ment is commonly used to turn verbs into nouns.
Examples:
- develop → development
- move → movement
- agree → agreement
This helps explain the word formation pattern.
Practice Exercise ✏️
Fill in the blanks:
- She ______ about the poor service.
- He made a formal ______.
- Customers often ______ about delays.
- The manager handled the ______ professionally.
Answers:
- complained
- complaint
- complain
- complaint
Final Summary: Complaint or Complain? 🏁
Let’s recap everything clearly:
- Complain = Verb (Action)
- Complaint = Noun (Thing)
If you are expressing dissatisfaction → complain
If you are talking about the statement itself → complaint
Remember the mnemonic:
👉 Complain = Action
👉 Complaint = Document/Thing
Mastering this small grammar difference improves your English usage, writing skills, and professional communication. And now, you’ll never mix them up again! 😊
