complain

verb (complain, complains, complained, complaining)

«complain» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

To complain is to say that you are not happy or not satisfied about something. tree →
To complain to someone in charge is to tell them formally about a problem so they fix it. tree →
To complain of a pain or illness is to say you have it. tree →
To complain of someone is to tell someone in charge that they did something wrong. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and manners lessons, complaining politely and calmly helps fix problems (returning a broken toy to a shop), but complaining all the time can make you seem negative; it's good to suggest a solution. In writing lessons, pupils sometimes write a letter of complaint. In stories, a character who always complains is often grumpy or spoiled. Phrases: «complain about», «complain to», «complain of», «nothing to complain about», «make a complaint».

Examples

He complained about the cold dinner. tree →
Stop complaining and help me carry this. tree →
We complained to the shop about the broken toy. tree →
Grandma complained of a sore knee. tree →
I can't complain; it was a great day. tree →
The neighbours complained about the loud music. tree →
If someone is unkind, you can complain to a teacher. tree →
She never complains, even when she's tired. tree →
“I complain of Nibs,” he cried promptly. tree →

Note

Regular verb: complained. Noun: complaint. You «complain about» a thing, «complain to» a person, «complain of» a pain. Not «complain on».

In Jewish tradition

To pour out one's trouble and grief before God, not merely to grumble.

Interpretation. The tradition sees Job and the Psalms as showing that honest complaint to God is allowed, as a form of prayer from a faithful heart.

Examples

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a strong man because of his sins? (Writings LAM.3.39, JPS 1917) tree →
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; and He hath heard my voice. (Writings PSA.55.18, JPS 1917) tree →
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Writings JOB.7.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: complained. Noun: complaint. You «complain about» a thing, «complain to» a person, «complain of» a pain. Not «complain on».

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «complain» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«complain» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «complain» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«complain» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/complain/