A2 · Elementary · Home · 149 words · ~2 min read

🔊 Complaining About a Noisy Neighbour

Language focus: Present Continuous & should · complaints

Before you read

Complaining politely is a real skill in English, and it is mostly built from softeners. Notice how Clara never accuses, how the neighbour apologises, and how should and I’ll are used to promise a change.

It is late at night, and Clara cannot sleep. Her new neighbour is playing loud music, and the walls are thin, so the noise keeps on for hours.

The next morning, Clara knocks politely on his door. “I’m sorry to bother you,” she says, “but the music was very loud last night.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry,” the neighbour replies. “I didn’t realise. I’ll turn it down in the evenings.” Clara calms down and smiles.

“Thank you for understanding,” she says. “And do knock on my door if I’m ever too noisy!” They both laugh, and the problem is solved.

Clara has lived in the building for four years, and she has never complained about anyone before. She was not angry — she was simply exhausted.

Since that morning the evenings have been quiet. If the music ever gets loud again, she will simply knock on his door and ask.

Key vocabulary (8 words)

neighbournoun: A person who lives near you.
noisenoun: A loud or unpleasant sound.
politeadjective: Having good manners and showing respect.
thinadjective: Not thick; here, letting sound pass through easily.
botherverb: To trouble or disturb someone.
understandingadjective: Kind and willing to forgive.
reasonableadjective: Fair and sensible.
peacefuladjective: Quiet and calm.

Phrasal verbs in this story

turn down — To turn down means to lower the volume.
keep on — To keep on means to continue.
calm down — To calm down means to become relaxed after being upset.

The grammar in this story

Present continuous for a temporary annoyance

“Her new neighbour is playing loud music.” The continuous says this is happening right now and is not permanent — which is exactly the complaint. Compare he plays loud music, which would describe a habit and make the sentence much more accusing.

Softeners do the politeness work

“I’m sorry to bother you, but…” “I didn’t realise.” “Thank you for understanding.” English rarely complains directly; it wraps the complaint in an apology for complaining. The word but after the softener is what signals the real message is coming.

I’ll for a promise made on the spot

“I’ll turn it down in the evenings.” The neighbour decides at that moment, which is precisely when English uses will rather than going to. Contracted to I’ll, it is the standard way to promise something immediately.

turn down, keep on, calm down

Turn down = reduce volume (also: refuse an offer). Keep on = continue, often annoyingly. Calm down = become less upset. Turn down is separable and usually splits around a pronoun: turn it down, not turn down it.

Phrases you can reuse today

I’m sorry to bother you, but…: The standard opening to any polite complaint.
The music was very loud last night.: States the fact without accusing the person.
I’ll turn it down.: A promise decided on the spot. Note it in the middle.
Thank you for understanding.: Closes the conversation warmly.

Comprehension quiz

Why can’t Clara sleep?
- Loud music
- A storm
- A baby
Show answer
Loud music
What are the walls like?
- Thick
- Thin
- Made of glass
Show answer
Thin
How does Clara complain?
- Angrily
- Politely
- By shouting
Show answer
Politely
The neighbour will ___ the music in the evenings.
- turn up
- turn down
- turn off forever
Show answer
turn down
The noise ___ for hours.
- keeps on
- runs out
- sets off
Show answer
keeps on
“Calm down” means to…
- become relaxed
- get angry
- fall asleep
Show answer
become relaxed

Now use it yourself

Reading builds recognition; writing your own sentences is what turns it into something you can actually say. Three short tasks:

Write a four-line polite complaint to a neighbour.
Use I’ll three times to promise something you decide right now.
Have you ever had a noisy neighbour? What did you do?