How to complain in English

We usually make a complaint to express our unhappiness/displeasure/ dissatisfaction with something or someone. Below are a number of expressions you can use to make a complaint, accept a complaint or reject a complaint.

Example:

 

How to complain/Making a complaint

NB   These expressions are ordered from formal (indirect) to less formal (direct).

How to make a complaint

1. I’m afraid I have a complaint about ………
2.  I’m sorry to bother/ trouble you, but …..
3.  I’m sorry to have to say this, but ……….
4. I’m sorry to say this, but …………
5. I understand it’s not your fault, but……..
6. Excuse me but there is a problem about……
7. I’d like to complain about ……..
8.  I want to complain about ……..
9. I’m angry about ……
10. I’m really not happy…

Accepting a complaint

• I’m so sorry, but this will never happen again.
• I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
• Oh dear. I’m really/ terribly awfully sorry.
• Oh, dear. I’m really sorry. I promise this will never happen again.
• I just don’t know what to say.
• I’m really sorry. We’ll do our best not to make the same mistake again.

Rejecting a complaint

• Sorry, there isn’t much we can do about it/ that.
• Well, I’m sorry there is nothing we can do about it.
• I’m afraid, there isn’t much we can do about it.
• I’m sorry but the meat is just alright.

Expressions to apologize and respond to apologies

How to complain about a problem video