Are you confused about whether to use compliment or complement in your writing? You’re not alone. Many people mix up these two words, but fear not, we’re here to help you out.
The proper word depends on the context in which it is being used. Compliment means to express praise or admiration for someone, while complement means to complete or enhance something.
In other words, you might compliment your friend on their new haircut, but you would use complement when talking about how their new haircut complements their facial features.
Throughout this article, we’ll dive deeper into the differences between these two words and provide examples to help you better understand how to use them correctly.
Define Compliment
A compliment is an expression of praise or admiration towards someone or something. It is a way to show appreciation for the qualities, actions, or achievements of a person or a thing. Compliments can be given for various reasons, such as to boost someone’s confidence, to show gratitude, or to simply acknowledge someone’s efforts.
Define Complement
A complement is something that completes or enhances something else. It is a way to describe how two things work together to create a better or more effective whole. Complements can be used in various contexts, such as in art, music, or language. For example, in art, complementary colors are those that are opposite each other on the color wheel and create a visual harmony when used together. In grammar, a complement is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a verb, such as “I am happy” where “happy” is the complement of the verb “am”.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to convey the intended meaning. The words “compliment” and “complement” are often confused and misused, but they have distinct meanings that should be properly understood.
How To Use “Compliment” In A Sentence
“Compliment” is a noun or a verb that refers to an expression of praise or admiration. It can be used in various contexts, such as personal or professional situations. Here are some examples:
- She received a compliment on her new dress.
- He complimented her on her excellent presentation skills.
- The chef was complimented on the delicious meal.
In each of these examples, “compliment” is used to express admiration or praise for someone or something.
How To Use “Complement” In A Sentence
“Complement” is a noun or a verb that refers to something that completes or enhances something else. It is often used in the context of pairing or matching things together. Here are some examples:
- The wine complements the meal perfectly.
- The colors in the painting complement each other well.
- The new furniture complements the decor of the room.
In each of these examples, “complement” is used to describe how one thing enhances or completes another.
It is important to note that “compliment” and “complement” are not interchangeable, and their meanings should not be confused. By using these words correctly, you can effectively communicate your intended message and avoid confusion or misunderstanding.
More Examples Of Compliment & Complement Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between compliment and complement, it is important to see how they are used in context. Here are some examples of using compliment in a sentence:
- She received a nice compliment on her new haircut.
- The boss gave his employee a compliment for a job well done.
- He always knows how to give a sincere compliment.
- She blushed at the compliment he gave her.
- The compliment made her day.
- He couldn’t help but smile at the compliment he received.
- The compliment boosted her confidence.
- She thanked him for the compliment.
- He gave her a compliment on her cooking skills.
- She felt appreciated after receiving the compliment.
Now, let’s take a look at some examples of using complement in a sentence:
- The wine complemented the meal perfectly.
- The colors in her outfit complemented each other well.
- His skills perfectly complemented hers.
- The new curtains complemented the room’s decor.
- The spicy sauce complemented the bland chicken.
- The music complemented the romantic atmosphere.
- The accessories complemented her outfit nicely.
- The book’s illustrations complemented the text beautifully.
- The team members’ strengths complemented each other’s weaknesses.
- The artwork in the gallery complemented each other well.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using compliment and complement, many people tend to interchange them without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using Compliment Instead Of Complement
Compliment is a noun or a verb that refers to an expression of praise or admiration. On the other hand, complement is a noun or a verb that refers to something that completes or enhances something else. Here is an example of how these two words differ:
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Compliment | An expression of praise or admiration | “She received a compliment on her new dress.” |
| Complement | Something that completes or enhances something else | “The red wine complemented the steak perfectly.” |
Using compliment instead of complement can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended meaning. Make sure to use the correct word depending on the context.
Using Complement Instead Of Compliment
Similarly, using complement instead of compliment is also a common mistake. Here is an example:
“You look nice today, your outfit really complements your eyes.”
In this sentence, complement is used incorrectly. The correct word to use in this context is compliment, as it refers to an expression of praise or admiration.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
- Take the time to understand the definitions of compliment and complement.
- Pay attention to the context in which you are using these words.
- Use a dictionary or thesaurus to confirm the correct usage.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective.
Context Matters
The difference between compliment and complement may seem trivial, but it can significantly impact the meaning of a sentence. Context is crucial in determining which word to use, as different situations call for different usage.
Compliment
Compliment is a noun or verb that refers to an expression of admiration or praise. It is typically used to acknowledge someone’s appearance, character, or work. Here are some examples of how compliment can be used:
- “I received a compliment on my new dress.”
- “She complimented him on his excellent cooking skills.”
- “He gave her a compliment on her hard work.”
In each of these examples, compliment is used to express admiration or praise for something or someone.
Complement
Complement is a noun or verb that refers to something that completes or enhances something else. It is typically used to describe how two things work together or how one thing enhances the qualities of another. Here are some examples of how complement can be used:
- “The red wine complemented the steak perfectly.”
- “The new curtains complemented the room’s decor.”
- “The musician’s voice complemented the melody of the song.”
In each of these examples, complement is used to describe how one thing enhances or completes another.
It is essential to consider the context in which these words are used. For instance, when describing how two things work together, complement is the appropriate word to use. On the other hand, when expressing admiration or praise for someone or something, compliment is the correct word to use.
Furthermore, it is crucial to note that the spelling of these words can often be confused. However, remembering the difference in their meanings can help in ensuring that the correct word is used in the right context.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “compliment” and “complement” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind.
Exceptions For “Compliment”
- When used as a verb, “compliment” can mean to praise or express admiration, but it can also mean to offer greetings or good wishes.
- For example, “I complimented her on her new haircut” and “He complimented the hostess as he arrived at the party” both use “compliment” as a verb to express praise or admiration. However, “Please compliment the chef on the delicious meal” uses “compliment” as a verb to express good wishes.
Exceptions For “Complement”
- When used as a verb, “complement” can mean to add to or enhance something, but it can also mean to make up a complete set or group.
- For example, “The red wine complements the steak perfectly” uses “complement” as a verb to express enhancement. However, “The team is complemented by a group of talented interns” uses “complement” as a verb to express completion of a group.
- Additionally, “complement” can also be used as a noun to refer to something that completes or enhances something else.
- For example, “The scarf is the perfect complement to her outfit” uses “complement” as a noun to refer to something that enhances something else.
It’s important to note these exceptions to ensure the correct usage of “compliment” and “complement” in various contexts.
Practice Exercises
As with any language skill, practice is key to improving your understanding and use of compliment and complement in sentences. Below are some practice exercises to help you hone your skills:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
| Sentence | Blank |
|---|---|
| The red shoes __________ her dress perfectly. | |
| Can you __________ me on my presentation? | |
| The salad was a great __________ to the main course. | |
| He __________ her on her new job. | |
| The painting __________ the room’s decor nicely. |
Answer Key:
- complemented
- compliment
- complement
- complimented
- complements
Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Word
- The new curtains really __________ the room. (compliment/complement)
- She gave me a __________ on my outfit. (compliment/complement)
- The wine __________ the steak nicely. (compliment/complement)
- He __________ her on her piano skills. (compliment/complement)
- The earrings __________ her dress perfectly. (compliment/complement)
Answer Key:
- complement
- compliment
- complements
- complimented
- complement
By practicing with exercises like these, you can improve your understanding and use of compliment and complement in your writing and speech.
Conclusion
After reading this article, it is clear that the difference between compliment and complement is significant and should not be overlooked. Compliment refers to an expression of admiration or praise, while complement refers to something that completes or enhances something else. It is important to use these words correctly in order to avoid confusion and convey your intended meaning accurately.
Remember to pay attention to context when using these words, as they can be easily confused. If you are unsure of which word to use, consult a grammar guide or dictionary to ensure that you are using the correct word.
Overall, this article serves as a reminder of the importance of proper language use and grammar. By continuing to learn and improve our language skills, we can become more effective communicators and convey our thoughts and ideas more clearly.
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.