complained about headache vs complained of headache

Both "complained about headache" and "complained of headache" are commonly used phrases in English. However, "complained of headache" is more widely accepted and preferred in formal writing. Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "complained of headache" is considered more accurate and idiomatic.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1611 views

This phrase is commonly used in informal contexts.

"complained about headache"

This phrase is often used in informal conversations to express someone's discomfort or pain due to a headache. It is less formal than "complained of headache."

Examples:

She complained about a headache all day.
He complained about his headache but refused to take any medicine.

Show examples from the web [+]

Supervisor said nobody complained about him.
This guy would have been complained about.
Someone specifically complained about something that you did.
My mother always complained about my father.
Sergeant Artherton complained about the odour.
Religious minorities in Indonesia have long complained about increasing intolerance.
Someone anonymously complained about my people skills.
Arlene McCarthy (rapporteur) complained about being harassed by lobbyists.
Nongovernmental organisations have complained about the lack of cooperation.
We complained about this before the European Court of Justice.
The people there have never complained about any hostile organism.
Tennison's already complained about you.
Explains why no one complained about the smell.
He always paid on time, never complained about anything.
-And nobody ever complained about him.
Anyway, it only happened once and you complained about being sore for a week afterwards.
The head of a nursing home complained about a rude homicide investigator.
Last time he complained about being caught drunk driving.
Someone's complained about loud music in your room.
- I've complained about it, but...

Alternatives:

complained of headache
complained of a headache
complained of migraines
complained of severe headaches
complained of constant headaches

This phrase is widely accepted and preferred in formal writing.

"complained of headache"

This phrase is more formal and commonly used in written English to indicate someone expressing discomfort or pain specifically related to a headache. It is considered more accurate and idiomatic than "complained about headache."

Examples:

She complained of a headache after a long day at work.
He complained of a headache and took some painkillers.

Show examples from the web [+]

It appears I've complained of headaches recently.
She complained of headaches, which she attributed to recent stress.
Immediately after the collision, many villagers complained of headaches and vomiting.
Which is what your officer did in July, 2009, when Lucas Freeman complained of a headache prior to a seven-hour journey in the back of one of your vans.
The patient complained of a headache and blurry vision before she fainted and hit her head, so I did a complete syncope work-up, which was negative.
She complained of nausea and headache, which would indicate... possible concussion from the fall.
Many pupils complained of coughs and headaches and also mentioned that they were frequently tired and had difficulties concentrating on their lessons.
- She never complained of pain.
He complained of chest pain all night.
On the phone, he complained of chronic sinusitis.
- She complained of feeling chilly.
She'd often complained of his coldness towards her
Years ago, a woman complained of workplace harassment, no one believed her.
The deceased had only complained of experiencing symptoms in situations he considered stressful.
- He complained of chest pains.
This man, in court, complained of puss running from his eardrum.
Yost complained of a weak bladder.
My final point is this: several speakers complained of a lack of conceptual clarity and consistency.
Appeals shall not stay the execution of the decisions complained of.
The IAEA has frequently complained of a lack of co-operation from the DPRK.

Alternatives:

complained about headache
complained of a migraine
complained of severe headaches
complained of constant headaches
complained of head pain

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complained about headache vs complained of headache