Which preposition is commonly used with the verb 'complain' to indicate a specific issue?

Prepare for the Occupational English Test (OET) Writing Exam. Use interactive questions and detailed explanations to enhance your writing skills. Achieve your desired OET score!

The correct preposition to use with the verb 'complain' when indicating a specific issue is 'of.' When someone complains of something, it means they are expressing dissatisfaction or reporting a problem relating to that particular matter. For example, a patient might complain of a headache or a sore throat, which specifically identifies the issue they are experiencing.

The other prepositions provided do not fit the context in the same way. 'Complain with' is not commonly used and does not convey the direct relationship to a specific issue. 'Complain for' suggests making a complaint on behalf of someone else and does not indicate the issue itself. 'Complain to' indicates the person or entity to whom the complaint is directed, rather than specifying the issue being complained about. Therefore, 'complain of' is the appropriate choice for indicating a specific issue.

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