complement it with

USAGE SUMMARY

"complement it with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest an addition to something in order to make it even better. For example: "This outfit looks great, but you could complement it with a statement necklace to add some sparkle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

You need to complement it with other methods that can.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And we're going to complement it with new concepts of how to test food.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The RA will help analyze the data base and potentially complement it with auxiliary data.

Yale University

Santana's changeup would not be as vicious if he did not complement it with a solid fastball.

The New York Times - Sports

College is about academics and the intellect, and if you can find the time, you complement it with athletics.

The New York Times

But Mr Schröder and Mr Müntefering only want to complement it with a set of even more social-democratic measures.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Another way of channeling Israel's true aspiration for peace would be to declare its willingness to resume negotiations, complementing it with the action of immediately reducing the number of settlements in the West Bank.

Huffington Post

These types of gardens try to balance out the structure by complementing it with greenery.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The fundamental repertory was there, but he complemented it with repertories not previously explored in the concerts.

The Guardian

They did not mimic a passage of a text, as was the convention, but complemented it with interpretation.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1982, she complemented it with "Family Time and Industrial Time: The Relationship Between the Family and Work in a New England Industrial Community".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complement it with", ensure that the added element genuinely enhances the original subject, creating a synergistic effect rather than a mere addition.

Common error

Avoid using "complement it with" when the added element is redundant or doesn't logically improve the original subject; ensure it introduces a new, beneficial dimension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complement it with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of adding something to enhance or complete something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complement it with" is a versatile verb phrase used to suggest enhancing something by adding a complementary element. Ludwig AI validates that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. Alternatives such as "supplement it with" or "enhance it with" exist, but "complement it with" specifically emphasizes adding something that improves the whole. When using this phrase, ensure that the addition is logical and genuinely enhances the subject to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplement it with

Suggests adding something extra to improve or complete the original thing.

enhance it with

Emphasizes improving the quality or desirability of something.

augment it with

Focuses on increasing the size, amount, or degree of something.

enrich it with

Highlights adding valuable or significant elements.

round it out with

Implies completing something in a satisfying way by adding final touches.

bolster it with

Suggests strengthening or supporting something.

add to it with

A more general way of expressing the idea of making an addition.

amplify it with

Suggests increasing the effect or intensity of something.

reinforce it with

Focuses on strengthening an existing quality or aspect.

substantiate it with

Suggests providing evidence or support to strengthen a claim or argument.

FAQs

How can I use "complement it with" in a sentence?

Use "complement it with" to suggest adding something that enhances or completes another thing. For example, "This dish is delicious, but you can "complement it with" a side salad."

What are some alternatives to "complement it with"?

Alternatives include "supplement it with", "enhance it with", or "augment it with". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "complement it with" and "supplement it with"?

"Complement" implies enhancing or completing something, while "supplement" suggests adding something to make up for a deficiency. Therefore, "complement it with" generally indicates improving something already good, whereas "supplement it with" implies addressing a lack.

Can I use "complement it with" in formal writing?

Yes, "complement it with" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to suggest enhancing something. However, ensure the enhancement is logical and contributes meaningfully to the subject.