a complementary idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a complementary idea' is correct and commonly used in written English.
You would use it to refer to an idea that adds to or complements another existing idea. For example, you might say: "Although I agree with the main idea of the report, I have a complementary idea about how to improve the implementation process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The strings come in with a counter-idea, a complementary idea.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Democratic congressmen talk of an initial capitalisation of around $20 billion.Another complementary idea, touted by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), is to give mortgage lenders a share of the upside if properties appreciate.

The Economist

CBT-I is not a single technique but a collection of complementary ideas.

The New York Times - Health

For (although draft-status) more about optimal control and motion planning, Russ Tedrake's class: Underactuated Robotics: Learning Planning, and Control for Efficient Agile Machines could give you a somewhat different angle, some complementary ideas, and more examples.

University of California, Berkeley

The key will be to move away from the hard-line ideology of an organic versus conventional debate and instead examine what features of all agricultural systems could be utilised in a multi-faceted approach, using complementary ideas from each camp.

The Guardian

So in general, we won't force the team to be "made up" a certain way, including two complementary ideas joining.

Duke University

My takeaway - truly breakthrough ideas are only possible, if somehow we all find a way to integrate our ideas with complementary ideas that are growing up on other islands of thought.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, office design firms are stepping in with complementary ideas.

MIT Technology Review

They incorporate and integrate complementary ideas from the social, political, and legal sciences.

University of California, Berkeley

There are two good, complementary ideas on the table — the carrot for lenders offered up by the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the stick provided by the bankruptcy amendment.

The New York Times

Close-knit teams do well at tackling the challenges in front of them, but lack the connections to spot complementary ideas elsewhere in the company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “a complementary idea” to introduce solutions or suggestions that work well together to address a problem, issue or improve a specific area.

Common error

A common mistake is using "complimentary" (expressing praise or given free) instead of "complementary" (completing or enhancing). Remember that "a complementary idea" adds to or enhances another idea, while a complimentary remark offers praise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complementary idea" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "complementary" modifies the noun "idea". It denotes an idea that enhances or completes another, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complementary idea" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that introduces a concept which enhances or completes another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and understood. While it appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. To effectively use the phrase, ensure the idea genuinely adds value and avoid confusing "complementary" with "complimentary". Alternatives like "an additional concept" or "a supplementary thought" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember that choosing a complementary idea requires careful consideration to truly enrich the primary subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional concept

Focuses on the additive nature of the idea.

a supplementary thought

Emphasizes the supportive role of the idea.

a supporting concept

Highlights the idea's function in bolstering another concept.

a related notion

Indicates a connection or association with another idea.

a correlated concept

Suggests a mutual relationship or correspondence between ideas.

a reciprocal thought

Implies a mutual or interactive relationship between the ideas.

an interconnected concept

Emphasizes the link between the new idea and the previous one.

an integrated notion

Highlights the merging of two different concepts.

a synergistic concept

Focuses on the result that the concepts are best when integrated.

a harmonizing thought

Highlights the consonance of the new idea with the previous one.

FAQs

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

You can use "a complementary idea" to introduce a concept that enhances or supports another. For example, "While the initial plan focused on cost reduction, I have "a complementary idea" to boost revenue as well."

What are some alternatives to saying "a complementary idea"?

Alternatives include "an additional concept", "a supplementary thought", or "a supporting concept". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a complementary idea"?

Yes, "a complementary idea" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It accurately describes an idea that enhances or completes another.

What's the difference between "a complementary idea" and "a similar idea"?

"A complementary idea" adds to or enhances an existing idea, while "a similar idea" shares common characteristics or features. They are not interchangeable; one builds upon, and the other resembles.