/kəmˈpleɪn/
Translation
To say that you are not happy about something.
Word origin
From Latin complangere, meaning to beat the breast in grief.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- complangere
Grammar
Examples
.
Here "complain" means to say you are not happy.
.
"Complains" is the form used with he, she, or it.
.
"Complained" is the past form of "complain".
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(3)Grammar articles
(5)Gradable and ungradable adjectives: why very furious sounds wrong, and which intensifier goes where
Present continuous tense: form, spelling and uses
Reported speech in English: backshift, questions and commands
Reporting verbs in English: admit, deny, suggest, promise, and the pattern welded to each one
Wish and if only in English: wish + past, wish + past perfect, wish + would, and why I wish I would is wrong
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complain: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the English word "complain" (To say that you are not happy about something.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 34.