Complaining - Talking about Complaints
Complaining - Talking about Complaints
What Are Complaints?
Complaints are expressions of displeasure or annoyance in response to an action or situation that the speaker finds unfavorable. For instance, if you want to complain about a pizza that is too salty, there are specific expressions you can use to effectively express your dissatisfaction and respond to complaints.
Expressions for Complaining:
- I have a complaint to make...
- Sorry to bother you, but...
- I'm sorry to say this, but...
- I'm afraid I've got a complaint about...
- I'm afraid there is a slight problem with...
- Excuse me, but there is a problem with...
- I want to complain about...
- I'm angry about...
Examples of Complaints:
I have a complaint to make.
Your pizza is just too salty.
I'm sorry to say this, but
your food is inedible.
I'm afraid I've got a complaint about your child.
He's too noisy.
I'm afraid there is a slight problem with the service in this hotel.
Excuse me, but you are standing on my foot.
I want to complain about the noise you are making.
I'm angry about the way you treat me.
Responding to Complaints
Positive Responses to Complaints:
- I'm so sorry; this will never happen again.
- I'm sorry, we promise never to make the same mistake again.
- I'm really sorry; we'll do our best to avoid this in the future.
Negative Responses to Complaints:
- Sorry, there's nothing we can do about it.
- I'm afraid there isn't much we can do about it.
- We apologize, but we believe the food is fine.
Key Points to Remember About Complaints:
When expressing a complaint in English, it's important to be polite. While saying "I'm angry about your pizza. It's too salty" is a direct way to express your displeasure, it can be perceived as rude. Using more polite expressions increases the likelihood of a positive response and resolution to your complaint.