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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
complementary of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'complementary of' is not proper English.
To express the same idea, you can use the phrase "complementary to", as in: The colors green and purple are complementary to each other.
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"We were very complementary of each other," Johnson said.
News & Media
The complementary of any colour is its direct opposite on the colour wheel.
News & Media
Harmony means complementary of natural and man-made cycles.
Using cadmium yellow and cadmium red, mix an orange that is the complementary of pure cobalt blue.
News & Media
Online and in-person book clubs can in theory be complementary, of course.
News & Media
The complementary of a colour is simply the colour opposite it on the colour wheel: red-green, yellow-violet, blue-orange.
News & Media
HCV107-151 negative strand including the sequence corresponding to the inverse complementary of the T7 promoter was obtained from Eurofins Genomics SAS (GCAGCCTCCAGGACCCCCCCTCCCGGGTGTGCCATAGTGGTCTGCCCTATAG TGACTCGTATTA).
Science & Research
Steve cogently argues that when you break out PISA results by race — a somewhat arduous task — the results are highly complementary of the US education system.
Accordingly, a dodecamer polydeoxythymidylic acid having ferroin-moiety (T12FeP) and a ferrocene-modified complementary of K-ras (KrasFc) were synthesized.
Final results confirm the complementary of TSP and SSP, and our multi-cue representation TSP + SSP + BoVW can properly describe human actions with large intro-variability in real-time.
HS provide data from the general population which is complementary of that obtained through other procedures and takes into account the various dimensions and connections of health and health system.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use "complementary to" instead of "complementary of" to maintain grammatical accuracy in formal writing.
Common error
Avoid using "complementary of", a common error arising from the similar structure of other prepositional phrases. Remember that the correct form is "complementary to".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "complementary of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically intended to describe a relationship of mutual enhancement or completion between two entities. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as Ludwig AI suggests.
Frequent in
Science
39%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
28%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "complementary of" is frequently used, but it's grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "complementary to". As Ludwig AI indicates, while the examples show intent to describe mutual enhancement, always use "complementary to" in formal writing. The intended purpose of this phrase is to show that things enhance or support each other. Although prevalent in Science and News & Media, correctness should always be prioritized.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
complementary to
Replaces "of" with "to" to adhere to standard English grammar, creating a correct prepositional phrase.
supplemental to
Indicates that something adds to or enhances something else, focusing on addition rather than inherent matching.
supportive of
Highlights the aspect of providing assistance or reinforcement.
harmonious with
Emphasizes the balance and agreement between elements.
compatible with
Focuses on the ability of things to coexist effectively.
integrates with
Describes how different parts combine to form a whole.
works well with
Implies a practical and functional compatibility.
pairs well with
Suggests a combination that enhances both elements, often used in culinary contexts.
enhances
Implies that something improves or augments something else.
a complement to
Functions as a noun phrase to indicate that something completes or enhances something else.
FAQs
What's the correct phrase, "complementary of" or "complementary to"?
The correct phrase is "complementary to". "Complementary of" is grammatically incorrect.
How can I use "complementary to" in a sentence?
Use "complementary to" to describe how two things enhance each other. For example, "The skills of the two team members are complementary to each other".
What are some alternatives to "complementary to"?
Alternatives include "supplemental to", "supportive of", or "harmonious with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is "complementary of" ever correct in English?
No, "complementary of" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in English. The correct phrasing is always "complementary to".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested