as a complementary tool to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a complementary tool to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the role of one tool or method in relation to another, indicating that it enhances or supports the primary tool or method. Example: "The new software functions as a complementary tool to our existing system, improving overall efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The chapter explores the optical imaging in living cells as a complementary tool to PET and SPECT imaging methods.

Advances in Inorganic Chemistry

Finally, a metabolomic approach can appear as a complementary tool to give additional information on the sponge fitness.

Advances in Marine Biology

We propose the use of the helix packing moment as a complementary tool to the helical hydrophobic moment in the analysis of transmembrane sequences.

Journal of Molecular Biology

This technique could be used as a complementary tool to investigate the efficacy and side effects of therapeutic drugs or rehabilitation regimens.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

It was therefore preferred to emphasize here on methods for aging investigation and characterization, with a couple of representative examples in the area, as a complementary tool to more exhaustive, formerly published reviews on the various physicochemical phenomena.

Advances in Chemical Engineering

Molecular dynamics simulation, as a complementary tool to experimentation, has become an important methodology for the understanding and design of molecular systems as it provides access to properties that are difficult, impossible or prohibitively expensive to obtain experimentally.

Computer Physics Communications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The stochastic simulation of biological systems is an increasingly popular technique in bioinformatics as either an alternative or a complementary tool to ordinary differential equations (ODEs).

BioMed Research International

KOBAS is a complementary tool to DAVID as it expands the gene annotation using KEGG Orthology (KO) terms.

Plosone

The developed microarray meta-analysis was also automated and implemented as a web tool (28) and is a complementary tool to CancerEST in identifying candidate cancer markers/targets, allowing the investigation of cancer expression in clinically relevant data.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

The ability to quantitatively model interacting and often strongly varying concentration levels as a function of time and position can serve as a powerful complementary tool to experimental analyses for assessing disease state and interventional pharmacological efficacy, especially when the spatial scales on which in vivo behavior occurs taxes the limits of imaging capabilities.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

It has been utilized as a potentially complementary tool to accreditation for improving quality.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a complementary tool to", ensure that the primary tool or method is clearly defined to provide context for the complementary role. This helps avoid ambiguity and clarifies the relationship between the two.

Common error

Avoid using "as a complementary tool to" when the tool is actually a replacement or alternative, not a supplement. A complementary tool enhances, not substitutes, the primary method.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a complementary tool to" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which something is used or applied. It specifies that something serves as an enhancement or supplement to another method or resource, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

88%

Academia

8%

News & Media

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a complementary tool to" is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly within scientific and academic contexts. It serves to describe something that enhances or supports another method, rather than replacing it. Ludwig's analysis underscores its function as an adverbial phrase, clarifying roles and functions with precision. When employing this phrase, ensure the primary tool or method is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. The sources demonstrate its prevalent use in science, making it a valuable asset in technical and professional writing. The examples in Ludwig show various fields where it is being used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a supplementary tool to

Emphasizes the idea of providing extra support or completion.

as an additional tool to

Highlights the additive nature of the tool.

as a supporting tool for

Focuses on the aspect of providing assistance or backing.

as a back-up tool for

Suggests a tool used in reserve or for contingency.

as an adjunct to

Implies something added to another thing but not essential to it.

in conjunction with

Highlights that the two elements are used together.

alongside

Indicates something used next to or in parallel with something else.

as a reinforcement to

Stresses the strengthening or bolstering effect of the tool.

as an enhancement to

Focuses on improving or making something better.

as a synergistic aid to

Highlights the combined effect where the total is greater than the sum of individual effects.

FAQs

How can I use "as a complementary tool to" in a sentence?

You can use "as a complementary tool to" to describe how one method or resource enhances another. For example, "Online exercises can be used as a complementary tool to traditional classroom instruction".

What are some alternatives to "as a complementary tool to"?

You can use alternatives like "as a supplementary tool to", "as an additional tool to", or "in conjunction with" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "as a complementary tool to" and "as an alternative to"?

"As a complementary tool to" indicates that something enhances or supports an existing method, while "as an alternative to" means it replaces the existing method. They have opposite meanings.

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

Yes, "as a complementary tool to" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, academic, or professional contexts where it's important to describe how different elements work together.