The complaint is one of the typical tasks in telc B2 writing. It looks demanding but follows a clear pattern you can practise. Here you get the structure, suitable phrases and the points that matter.
How to write a complaint at B2 level
How ready are you really?
Your Ready-Score shows you in a mock exam where you stand today. Free, no risk.
A good complaint stays factual and polite, even when you are annoyed. The structure: subject line, salutation, a short introduction with the reason, then the problem and its consequences, then a clear demand or proposed solution, finally the sign-off. At least 150 words belong to it. Which task comes up exactly is on the page on telc B2 writing, and the general email structure is in formal email for the telc B2 exam.
Phrases for the complaint
Useful are phrases like “leider muss ich Ihnen mitteilen, dass …”, “ich bin mit … nicht zufrieden” or “ich erwarte, dass Sie …”. You will find a larger selection in the most important phrases.
What the examiners look for
Assessment follows four criteria: content, structure, expression and correctness. We collect the typical pitfalls in the most common mistakes in the written part.
The bottom line
A complaint at B2 level succeeds with a factual tone, a clear structure and suitable phrases. Once you practise the structure a few times, you write it almost by yourself on exam day.
