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Lesson 28: Making a complaint politely

Complain clearly and politely, and get a result. About 10 minutes.

Updated 2026-10-16

Confident Β· B1 Lesson 28 of 30 Β· Listen Β· Speak Β· Check

1. Key phrases

Press πŸ”Š to hear each phrase, then say it out loud.

  • I'd like to make a complaint. Say it clearly.
  • I'm not happy with the service. Explain the problem.
  • I was told it would be ready on Monday. Explain what you expected.
  • This is the third time I've called. Show it's a repeated problem.
  • What can you do to fix this? Ask for a solution.
  • I'd like a refund. Say what you want.
  • Can I speak to a manager, please? Escalate politely.
  • I'd like that in writing, please. Get confirmation.

2. Listen to the conversation

Play the conversation, then press Practise as "Customer" to take a part yourself.

3. Say it yourself

Listen, then say each sentence. Fill in your own details where you see "…". In Chrome, Edge or Safari, press 🎀 and your browser checks how clearly you said it.

4. Quick check

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Frequently asked questions

What are useful English phrases for making a complaint politely?

'I'd like to make a complaint.' (say it clearly). 'I'm not happy with the service.' (explain the problem). 'I was told it would be ready on Monday.' (explain what you expected). 'This is the third time I've called.' (show it's a repeated problem).

How can I practise making a complaint politely in English?

Listen to the key phrases and say them out loud, play the conversation and role-play one side, use the speaking check to hear how clearly you speak, then take the quick quiz. It takes about 10 minutes.