a complementary

USAGE SUMMARY

"complementary" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "The two skills are complementary and can be used together to great effect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're a complementary pair.

The Guardian

It's obviously a complementary situation.

The New York Times

They make a complementary pair.

Independent

They are a complementary partnership.

The Guardian

Mental accounting plays a complementary role.

The Economist

"Do you have a complementary system?" "No".

The New Yorker

And here's a complementary story, from January 18 , 1988

The New Yorker

Guards Juan Dixon and Steve Blake provide a complementary backcourt.

The New York Times - Sports

These letters, a complementary masterpiece, explain what comes next.

The New Yorker

Today, Kiehl and Hare have a complementary but complicated relationship.

The New Yorker

"It could be a complementary matchup," Dr. Bryant said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complementary", ensure that it clearly describes how the mentioned element enhances or completes another. For instance, "This software offers a complementary set of tools for data analysis."

Common error

Avoid confusing "complementary" with "complimentary". "Complementary" means enhancing or completing something, while "complimentary" means expressing praise or admiration. Use "complementary" when referring to things that work well together, not when giving praise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complementary" primarily functions as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the noun enhances or completes another entity, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples like, "a complementary partnership" or "a complementary color scheme".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complementary" is a versatile phrase functioning as an adjective indicating enhancement or completion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct. The phrase is frequently employed across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and encyclopedic content. When using "a complementary", remember that it signifies things working well together to enhance each other and avoid confusing it with "complimentary", which means expressing praise or admiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a synergistic

Implies that the combination produces a greater effect than the sum of individual parts.

an enhancing

Highlights the act of making something better or more appealing.

a supplementary

Highlights the idea of providing extra support or enhancement.

an integrative

Stresses the act of bringing elements together into a unified whole.

a supporting

Emphasizes providing assistance or validation.

a reinforcing

Stresses the act of strengthening or backing up something else.

an additional

Focuses on adding something extra, less about how things fit together.

an interlocking

Emphasizes a tight connection or mutual dependence.

a harmonizing

Focuses on creating a pleasing or balanced combination.

a matching

Highlights similarity and suitability, implying less about enhancement.

FAQs

How can I use "a complementary" in a sentence?

Use "a complementary" to describe something that enhances or completes another thing, such as "This design offers "a complementary color scheme" to make the website more visually appealing".

What can I say instead of "a complementary"?

You can use alternatives like "an additional", "a supplementary", or "a supporting" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a complementary" or "a complimentary"?

"A complementary" is used when referring to something that enhances or completes something else. "A complimentary" refers to something given free of charge or expressing praise.

What's the difference between "a complementary" and "a supplementary"?

"A complementary" suggests a harmonious combination that enhances the whole, whereas "a supplementary" simply adds to or supports something without necessarily integrating seamlessly.