CAMBRIDGE
ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE ADVANCED
UNIT 73
Complaining and protesting
A
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Expressions
connected with complaining
It is important to use these
expressions in appropriate situations. Some examples are given here.
The expressions in each group go more
or less from weaker to stronger, but much depends on who you are speaking to
and what the situation is.
More common in informal situations
You’ve got to do something about that window of yours. It rattles in the wind and keeps me
awake.
For goodness’ sake! I’m fed up
with / sick of all your moaning and grumbling. Cheer up!
Look here! I’ve just about had
enough of your stupid comments.
Look, this is just not on! You
promised to be here by two o’clock and it’s almost three! [not acceptable]
Enough is enough! Please, no more arguments – be nice to each other!
More neutral in tone
I’m not at all satisfied with the service I’ve received.
Something will have to be done about that pile of rubbish. It can’t be left in front of the
house.
I wish you would turn your radio down. I wish you wouldn’t play your
music so loudly.
You never help around the house. It
just won’t do! You’re going to have to change your ways.
More common in formal situations
(typically in connection with bad service or behaviour)
I wish to complain about the delay in delivering my order.
The carpet in my room is stained and
dirty. This is most unsatisfactory.
I take great exception to your unfair comments about our committee.
I really must object to being made to wait so long before seeing the manager.
The water pipe you have repaired
three times in our kitchen is leaking again. This is (simply) unacceptable.
Your bus driver left the children by
the roadside in pouring rain with no adult in attendance. This is shameful.
[should make you feel embarrassed and guilty]
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B
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Verbs and nouns relating to
complaining and protesting
Common
mistakes
The
verb object to is followed by a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form
of a verb. Don’t use the base form of a verb: I object to being made to
wait here for an hour before seeing the Principal (NOT object to be made).
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EXERCISES
73.1
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Where
would you be more likely to hear these statements, in informal or more formal
situations? Mark them I or F. How might the same idea be conveyed at the
other end of the scale of formality?
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73.2
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Complete
each of these sentences with one word.
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73.3
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How
might you complain in the following situations?
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73.4
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The
people below are all complaining indirectly. What do they really mean in each
case?
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ANSWER KEY
73.1
Possible
answers:
1 Informal A more formal version: I take great exception to your rudeness! 2 Formal A more informal version: You’ve got to do something about your unfair rules. 3 Informal A more formal version: The state of your desk is most unsatisfactory! 4 Formal A more informal version: I’ve just about had enough of the awful station facilities! 5 Informal A more formal version: I really must object to your coming here not wearing a tie. 6 Formal A more informal version: I’m fed up with this behaviour! 7 Formal A more informal version: The lack of toilet facilities for disabled people is disgusting / pretty awful. 8 Formal A more informal version: The delay with my order is just/simply not on.
73.2
1
about 6 wouldn’t
2 take / took 7 do 3 being 8 well 4 with 9 with 5 done 10 enough
73.3
Possible
answers:
1 Honestly! I’m fed up with / sick of their noisy parties week after week! 2 I wish you/we could do something about that big tree that blocks out the sun. (we is more indirect) 3 Most people take considerable exception to being awoken by loud noise from the factory when they are trying to sleep. 4 I’m not at all satisfied about the changes to our working hours. 5 I’ve just about had enough of working longer hours. 6 I wish to complain about the lack of safety procedures on the company’s premises.
73.4
Possible
answers:
1 We must open the window / clean the room / spray some air-freshener. 2 Jorge’s work is very careless. 3 Simone is often late for work. 4 You’re not suited to this job. 5 This room really needs decorating. 6 The TV must be turned down. |
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