Making a Complaint
When English speakers are not pleased with a person or a
situation, they complain. Generally,
the purpose of making a complaint is to try to improve the situation or solve a
problem. There are two types of
complaints in English, direct and indirect.
This exercise focuses on direct complaints, which are addressed to the
person who is held responsible for the problem.
There are three main parts to a direct complaint in English. First the complainer (person making the complaint) sets the stage by explaining the purpose of the complaint.
Examples: “I want to talk to you about the grade on my test.”
“I’m having a problem with this
microwave.”
Next, the complainer states the actual complaint.
Examples: “I am not happy with my grade. I studied very hard, but I didn’t think all of the questions on the test were ones we covered in class.
“I bought it yesterday, but when I plugged it
in it didn’t work.”
Finally, the complainer asks for a solution.
Examples:
“I wondered if you could discuss several of
the questions with me to see what I did
wrong.”
“I would like a refund.”
Read the scenario below.
This is a situation in which you would want to make a verbal complaint.
Since we can’t practice this verbally, instead write what you would say
for each part of the complaint. When
you’re finished, practice saying your sentences out loud.
Scenario:
You received a tuition bill with a late charge of $100.
However, you think you paid the bill on time.
You go to the university cashier’s office to complain.
Explaining
the Purpose:
Stating
the Complaint:
Ask
for a Solution:
To
see possible answers, click here.