a complimentary paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complimentary paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a paper that is provided free of charge or as a courtesy, often in an academic or professional context. Example: "The conference organizers provided a complimentary paper to all attendees, summarizing the key topics discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This study is an extension of a complimentary paper [ 23] which looked at the population genetic structure and demographic history (ii and iv) of chimpanzees in Cameroon and Nigeria.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In fact, so concerned was the French government with the decline in newspaper readership that it detailed plans last year for a program called Mon Journal Offert, or My Complimentary Paper, to offer 18- to 24-year-olds a free yearlong subscription to a newspaper of their choice.

The New York Times

The Daily Telegraph covered the whole front page with a photo and the headline "How could he?" – and to my horror this was the complimentary paper on the plane.

Independent

Participants were encouraged to use the complimentary paper tape measure to measure their waist circumference.

BMJ Open

Then coming over on Wednesday on the plane I got a couple of complimentary papers and the word 'disrespectful' was mentioned.

The Guardian - Sport

Want a complimentary pair of socks for the big day?

Los Angeles Times

"Can I get a complimentary copy of the paper?" Straight face.

The New York Times

A complimentary concern in the paper is the ways in which supportive socialities and group dynamics are integral to many therapeutic landscape experiences.

Health & Place

In two earlier randomised controlled trials, we reported no effect on the rate of response to a medical questionnaire of paper quality or provision of a complimentary pen [ 2, 3].

BMC Health Services Research

When we ordered the excellent paper-thin rounds of fried zucchini and eggplant, our waiter brought a complimentary order of tzatziki, saying that the amount of the yogurt dip served with the vegetables usually was not enough for most people.

The New York Times

A complimentary bonbon accompanies all beverages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a complimentary paper" when you want to emphasize that the document is being provided as a courtesy or free of charge, often in situations where there is an expectation of a cost or payment.

Common error

Avoid using "a complimentary paper" when you simply mean "a helpful paper". "Complimentary" in this context refers to something given free, not something that offers praise or complements another item.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complimentary paper" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "complimentary" modifies the noun "paper". It denotes a document provided without charge. Ludwig's examples show usage in different contexts like airline travel or academic research.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a complimentary paper" refers to a document or publication offered free of charge. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, but it's a relatively rare phrase. It's primarily used in science and news media contexts. While "complimentary" often means expressing a compliment, in this context, it means 'free of charge'. Thus, ensure you're using the term correctly to avoid confusion with "complementary", which means enhancing or completing something else. Remember that similar phrases are "a free paper" or "a courtesy paper".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a free paper

Replaces "complimentary" with "free", emphasizing the absence of cost.

a no-charge paper

Substitutes "complimentary" with "no-charge", highlighting the lack of payment required.

a courtesy paper

Replaces "complimentary" with "courtesy", emphasizing the act of goodwill in providing the paper.

a gratis paper

Uses "gratis", a more formal synonym for "free", indicating something provided without charge.

a supplementary paper

Indicates the paper is additional and supportive, but not necessarily free.

a sample paper

Indicates the paper is a representative example provided for evaluation.

a promotional paper

Suggests the paper is given to promote something, such as a product or service.

a review copy

Specifically refers to a copy given for the purpose of review or evaluation.

a gift paper

Emphasizes that the paper is offered as a gift.

a bonus paper

Suggests that the paper is an unexpected addition or reward.

FAQs

What does "a complimentary paper" mean?

The phrase "a complimentary paper" refers to a document or publication provided free of charge or as a courtesy. It is often used in academic, business, or travel contexts.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a complimentary paper"?

Use "a complimentary paper" when you want to emphasize that the document is being provided without cost, often as a gesture of goodwill or as part of a promotion. For example, you might receive "a free paper" at a conference or as a perk of a membership.

What are some alternatives to "a complimentary paper"?

Alternatives include "a free paper", "a no-charge paper", "a gratis paper", or "a courtesy paper". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "complimentary" and "complementary"?

Yes, "complimentary" means given free of charge or expressing praise, while "complementary" means enhancing or completing something else. Therefore, "a complimentary paper" means a free paper, whereas "a complementary paper" would be something that enhances another paper.