a complementary role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complementary role" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or function that enhances or supports another role or function within a context, such as a team or organization. Example: "In our project, Sarah will take on a complementary role to ensure that the marketing strategies align with our overall goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mental accounting plays a complementary role.

The Economist

UNESCO continues to play a complementary role.

Handbook of the Economics of Art and Culture

Televisions and other more traditional advertising venues also play a complementary role in the digital world.

The New York Times - Tech

We emphasize that the present results do not rule out a complementary role of the ERO signals on recognition decisions.

Nature

From the Theory of Roles Moreno, each role has a complementary role that maintains the link.

European Psychiatry

Basic research, while increasing in importance, plays predominantly a complementary role.

Fusion Engineering and Design

A complementary role is not observed for cost efficiency and new product flexibility.

Journal of Operations Management

A performer in one line would shout out an identity; his partner would then respond by naming a complementary role.

Princeton University

Although the arts do not pretend to be a frontline health service, we're coming to understand how they can function very effectively in a complementary role.

The Guardian

When the Suns acquired him from Miami last February, he spoke humbly of a complementary role behind Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash.

The New York Times - Sports

Smith and the passing attack play merely a complementary role in what's an old school run-first offense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complementary role", ensure the primary role is clearly defined to illustrate how the complementary role enhances or supports it. This provides context and clarifies the relationship between the two roles.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of the complementary role. Ensure that the description accurately reflects its supportive function without overshadowing the primary role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complementary role" functions as a noun phrase that describes a supportive or enhancing function performed by one entity in relation to another. It indicates that the subject plays a part that completes or improves something else. Ludwig AI identifies this usage across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complementary role" describes a function that enhances or supports another, primary role. It's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields like science, news, and business, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples. The phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. Alternative phrases include "a supporting function" and "an auxiliary function". Remember to clearly define the primary role to provide context and avoid overstating the importance of the complementary one. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a supporting function

Emphasizes the act of providing assistance or backing.

an auxiliary function

Focuses on providing extra help or support, being supplementary.

a supplementary part

Highlights the addition of something extra to enhance completeness.

an assisting capacity

Implies involvement in helping or aiding another entity.

a secondary function

Indicates a role that is not primary but still important.

a collaborative position

Stresses mutual contribution and teamwork.

a contributing factor

Highlights the contribution to a larger result or outcome.

an adjunct position

Indicates a position added to another, often temporarily.

a subsidiary part

Suggests a dependent or subordinate role.

a reciprocal function

Implies a mutually beneficial interaction or exchange.

FAQs

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

You can use "a complementary role" to describe how something enhances or supports another, for example: "Online advertising plays "a complementary role" to traditional marketing methods."

What are some alternatives to "a complementary role"?

Alternatives include "a supporting role", "an auxiliary function", or "a supplementary part" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a complementary role" in formal writing?

Yes, "a complementary role" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly and professionally describes a supportive or enhancing function. It is commonly found in academic, scientific, and business contexts.

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

"A complementary role" suggests enhancement and completion of something else, while "a supplementary role" implies adding extra support or assistance. The nuance lies in whether the role is essential for completeness (complementary) or simply provides additional help (supplementary).