Are you confused about when to use “complement” and “completion”? These two words may sound similar, but they have distinct meanings that can make a big difference in your writing. Let’s explore the differences between complement and completion.
It’s important to note that both words can be the proper word depending on the context. However, complement generally means something that enhances or completes something else, while completion means the act of finishing something or making it whole.
For example, if you say “The red shoes complement the blue dress,” you mean that the shoes enhance the dress and make it look better. On the other hand, if you say “The project is nearing completion,” you mean that the project is almost finished and will soon be whole.
Understanding the difference between complement and completion can help you choose the right word for the situation and convey your meaning more clearly.
In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common ways these words are used, and provide examples to help you master their usage.
Define Complement
A complement is something that completes or enhances something else. It is a part of a whole that brings out the best in the other part. In mathematics, a complement is the set of all elements not in a given set. In grammar, a complement is a word or group of words that completes the predicate of a sentence. In fashion, a complement is a piece of clothing or accessory that matches or enhances another piece of clothing or accessory.
Define Completion
Completion is the act of finishing something or making it whole. It is the state of being fully accomplished or achieved. In construction, completion is the final stage of a project when all work is finished and the project is ready for use. In education, completion refers to the attainment of a degree or certificate. In psychology, completion is the feeling of satisfaction or fulfillment that comes from finishing a task or achieving a goal.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to writing, choosing the right words is crucial to convey your message effectively. Two words that are often confused are complement and completion. In this section, we will discuss how to use these words correctly in a sentence.
How To Use “Complement” In A Sentence
The word complement refers to something that enhances or completes something else. It can be used as a noun or a verb.
As a Noun:
- The red tie is a nice complement to the blue suit.
- Her skills were a perfect complement to the team.
As a Verb:
- The wine complements the meal perfectly.
- Her strengths complemented his weaknesses.
When using complement in a sentence, make sure it is clear what is being enhanced or completed.
How To Use “Completion” In A Sentence
The word completion refers to the act of finishing something or making it whole. It is used as a noun.
Examples:
- The completion of the project took longer than expected.
- Her graduation marked the completion of her degree.
When using completion in a sentence, make sure it is clear what is being finished or made whole.
By understanding the proper usage of complement and completion, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.
More Examples Of Complement & Completion Used In Sentences
Here are some more examples of how complement and completion can be used in sentences:
Examples Of Using Complement In A Sentence
- The red shoes complement the green dress perfectly.
- His skills in marketing are a perfect complement to her skills in finance.
- The spicy salsa is a great complement to the bland chips.
- The new furniture really complements the decor of the room.
- The wine complements the flavors of the meal.
- The blue tie complements his suit nicely.
- The team’s strengths complement each other well.
- The painting is a beautiful complement to the room.
- The actress’s talent is a great complement to the director’s vision.
- The company’s diverse offerings complement each other to provide a complete solution.
Examples Of Using Completion In A Sentence
- The project is nearing completion.
- The completion of the bridge was delayed due to weather conditions.
- The completion of the merger will be announced next week.
- The completion of the puzzle was satisfying.
- The completion of the race was a great accomplishment for the runner.
- The completion of the book took several years.
- The completion of the renovation project was celebrated with a party.
- The completion of the training program was a requirement for the job.
- The completion of the construction project was ahead of schedule.
- The completion of the experiment resulted in surprising findings.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using complement and completion, many people tend to use the two interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when using these terms interchangeably:
Using Complement Instead Of Completion
One common mistake people make is using complement instead of completion. While the two terms may seem similar, they have different meanings. Complement refers to something that enhances or completes something else, while completion refers to the act of finishing or completing something.
For example, if you say “this book is the perfect complement to my collection,” you are saying that the book enhances or completes your collection. On the other hand, if you say “I have finally completed my collection,” you are saying that you have finished or completed your collection.
Using Completion Instead Of Complement
Another common mistake people make is using completion instead of complement. While the two terms may seem interchangeable, they have different meanings and uses. Completion refers to the act of finishing or completing something, while complement refers to something that enhances or completes something else.
For example, if you say “this book is the completion of my collection,” you are saying that the book is the final piece that completes your collection. On the other hand, if you say “this book is the perfect complement to my collection,” you are saying that the book enhances or completes your collection in some way.
Offering Tips On How To Avoid Making These Mistakes
To avoid making these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the differences between complement and completion. Here are some tips to help you avoid using these terms interchangeably:
- Take the time to understand the definitions of complement and completion
- Think about the context in which you are using the terms
- Consider using synonyms or alternative phrasing to avoid confusion
By following these tips, you can avoid making common mistakes when using complement and completion, and ensure that your communication is clear and effective.
Context Matters
Choosing between complement and completion can depend on the context in which they are used. Both words have similar meanings, but they are used in different contexts. Understanding the context in which they are used is key to choosing the right word.
Complement
Complement is used to describe something that enhances or completes something else. It is often used in the context of fashion, where accessories complement the outfit. It can also be used in the context of food, where ingredients complement each other to create a delicious dish. For example, a glass of red wine can complement a steak dinner.
Another context where complement is commonly used is in the workplace. Employees can complement each other’s skills and work together to achieve a common goal. For example, a salesperson can complement an engineer’s technical knowledge to create a successful product.
Completion
Completion, on the other hand, is used to describe the finishing or ending of something. It is often used in the context of projects or tasks. For example, completing a project means that it has been finished. In the context of education, completing a degree means that all the necessary coursework has been finished.
Another context where completion is commonly used is in the legal system. Completing a contract means that all the terms and conditions have been met. Completing a sentence means that the person has served their time in prison.
Examples Of Different Contexts
| Context | Word Choice | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion | Complement | Accessories complement the outfit |
| Food | Complement | Ingredients complement each other to create a delicious dish |
| Workplace | Complement | Employees complement each other’s skills to achieve a common goal |
| Projects | Completion | Completing a project means that it has been finished |
| Education | Completion | Completing a degree means that all the necessary coursework has been finished |
| Legal | Completion | Completing a contract means that all the terms and conditions have been met |
| Legal | Completion | Completing a sentence means that the person has served their time in prison |
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using complement and completion are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.
Exception 1: Verbs Of Perception
Verbs of perception, such as “see,” “hear,” and “feel,” can take either a complement or an object.
- Complement: I saw him crying.
- Object: I saw the sunset.
In the first example, “crying” is a complement that describes the subject, while in the second example, “the sunset” is the direct object of the verb.
Exception 2: Adjectives And Adverbs
Adjectives and adverbs can also take complements, but they are not considered to be part of the same category as verbs.
- Complement: She seems happy.
- Object: She bought a new dress.
In the first example, “happy” is a complement that describes the subject, while in the second example, “a new dress” is the direct object of the verb.
Exception 3: Certain Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs have specific rules for using complement or completion.
| Phrasal Verb | Complement | Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Put up with | X | something/someone |
| Take care of | X | something/someone |
| Look forward to | X | something/someone |
For example, “put up with” does not take a complement, but it does require a completion in the form of “something” or “someone.”
Remembering these exceptions can help you use complement and completion correctly in your writing and avoid common mistakes.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have a clear understanding of the difference between complement and completion, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two concepts in sentences:
Exercise 1: Identify The Complement
For each sentence, identify the complement and write it in the space provided:
| Sentence | Complement |
|---|---|
| She made him happy. | happy |
| The chef prepared a delicious meal. | delicious |
| The runner finished the race in first place. | in first place |
Answer Key:
- She made him happy.
- The chef prepared a delicious meal.
- The runner finished the race in first place.
Exercise 2: Complete The Sentence
For each sentence, choose the correct word to complete it:
- The painting was so beautiful that it left me feeling _______.
- complemented
- completed
- complement
- complete
- complement
- complete
Answer Key:
- The painting was so beautiful that it left me feeling completed.
- She needed just one more ingredient to complete her recipe.
- The team worked together to complete the project on time.
By practicing these exercises, you’ll be able to confidently use complement and completion in your writing and speaking.
Conclusion
After delving into the differences between complement and completion, it is clear that these terms have distinct meanings in the realm of grammar and language use. Complement refers to a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a sentence, while completion refers to the act of finishing or making something whole.
It is important for writers and speakers to understand the nuances of these terms in order to effectively communicate their ideas. By using complements correctly, they can provide additional information and context to their sentences. By understanding completion, they can convey a sense of finality or accomplishment.
Key Takeaways
- Complement refers to a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a sentence.
- Completion refers to the act of finishing or making something whole.
- Using complements correctly can provide additional information and context to sentences.
- Understanding completion can convey a sense of finality or accomplishment.
While the differences between complement and completion may seem subtle, they can have a significant impact on the clarity and effectiveness of language use. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, readers can improve their communication skills and become more effective writers and speakers.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.