make a complaint — complain (formally or officially)
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To say that you are not happy about something, especially to someone in authority, usually in a formal or official way.
Say it like a native
Textbook I wish to lodge a formal grievance regarding the service.
Native I'd like to make a complaint about the service.
'Make a complaint' is natural; 'lodge a grievance' is very formal/legal (though 'lodge a complaint' is fine in writing).
Pattern: make a complaint (about [something])
In use
- If the service is bad, you can make a complaint to the manager.daily life
- In my opinion, if customers are unhappy with a product, they should make a complaint so the company can improve its service.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I want to do a complaint.
✓ I want to make a complaint.
You MAKE (or 'file/lodge') a complaint — not 'do' one.
Common collocations
make a complaint (about)— about, against, file, formal
Don't confuse it
More formal than simply 'complain.' Use 'make a complaint' for official situations, not just casual conversation.