What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
complain
Example
I always complain about the traffic on my way to work. [complain: verb]
Example
She complained to the manager about the poor service at the restaurant. [complained: past tense]
protest
Example
The workers protested against the new company policies. [protested: past tense]
Example
Students organized a protest march to demand climate action. [protest: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Complain is more commonly used in everyday language than protest. Complain is a common word used to express dissatisfaction or annoyance, while protest is more specific to social or political activism.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between complain and protest?
Protest is generally considered more formal than complain. Protest is often associated with organized activism and public demonstrations, while complain is more casual and can be used in various contexts, including personal and professional settings.
