complain of vs complain about (GiU Unit 134)
The frame
Section titled “The frame”Paul was complaining of pains in his chest, so he went to see the doctor. ✓
The split
Section titled “The split”| complain of | complain about | |
|---|---|---|
| Object | a symptom/ailment — what you report to a doctor | a nuisance/situation — what you grumble about |
| Examples | chest pains, a headache, dizziness, a sore throat | the noise, the food, the weather, the service |
| Register | medical, formal, reporting | everyday grumbling |
- complain to sb about sth = both slots: She complained to the manager about the waiter.
- ✗ complain of the service (not a symptom) / ✗ complain about a symptom to a doctor (non-medical frame)
Is it something a body reports (pain, ache, symptom) → of. Something a person grumbles about → about.
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, Unit 134 — Verb + preposition 3. Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.