Modul 5: Language functions: VI. COMPLAINING

What do you say in these situations?

1. In the fast food restaurant, the hamburger is cold.

I’m not happy about this hamburger; it is cold.
I’m afraid I can’t eat this burger because it’s cold.

2. Someone is smoking inside the pub.

I want to make a complaint about that man smoking over there.
You’re not allowed to smoke in here; it’s not OK.

3. Your teacher gave you a bad mark in English. You don’t agree.

I’m sorry to say this, but I think your grade is unfair.
I’m not happy about the mark you gave me.

4. You have booked a hotel room and find when you arrive that there is no room for you.

I am disappointed by the management of this hotel. I was promised a room!
I booked a room, and you are telling me that there isn’t one for me. This won’t do!

5. Last year your boss promised to give you a bonus but he doesn’t want to do so this year.

Last year I was promised a bonus, but now you aren’t giving it to me? That’s not OK.
You’ve gone back on your word. I feel undervalued, and I’ve had enough.

6. Your friend keeps cancelling your plans on short notice.

I’m sorry to say this, but it really annoys me when you cancel on on me on short notice.
You have cancelled our plans at the last minute multiple times recently, and I’ve had enough.

7. You have been short-changed in the shop.

I’m sorry to say this, but I think you have short-changed me.
I’m afraid you gave me the wrong change.

8. Your boss blames you for falling profits at a board meeting.

I’m sorry to say this, but blaming me for the profits in the middle of a meeting was completely unprofessional.

I am disappointed with the way you handled that. I had nothing to do with the drop in our profits.

9. At the airport, you find that your luggage has been damaged.

I want to make a complaint about the damage that has been caused to my luggage.
My luggage has been damaged in transit, and it’s not OK!

10. The shoes you bought yesterday have worn. You go back to the shop to complain.

I want to complain about the quality of these shoes. I’ve only had them for one day, and they are already worn!

I bought these shoes yesterday and they are already worn down. This won’t do!

11. A policeman stops you for speeding and suggests that you should pay him a bit of money so he won’t give a fine. The next day you go to the police station to make a formal complaint.

I want to make a complaint about an officer who tried to bribe me yesterday.
I am not happy about a policeman on your staff. I need to make a formal complaint.

12. The bus driver talks to you in a very impolite way. The next day you go to the London Transport Authorities to make a complaint.

I am disappointed with the way I was spoken to by one of your bus drivers yesterday.
I’m sorry to say this, but you have very rude staff working for you!

13. A company owes your firm several thousand pounds. You ring the manager to speak to him and complain.

I’m sorry to say this, but you are indebted several thousand pounds to our firm, and if it isn’t paid in full soon, then we will be taking legal action.

I am disappointed by the lack of payment from your company.

14. Your neighbours keep having loud parties each weekend. You go to the local police station to make a complaint.

I’m not happy about the parties my neighbours keep having.
My neighbour keeps having loud parties every weekend, and I’ve had enough.

15. The clerk in the bank who opened your bank account did not tell you about the exact conditions. After a few months’ time you see serious problems and ring the manager.

I want to complain about the lack of information that my clerk gave me when opening my bank account.
My bank clerk didn’t inform me about the exact conditions of opening my account and it’s not OK.