complementary relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

"complementary relationship" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a relationship between two parts which work together to make a whole. For example, "The complementary relationship between the two sisters strengthened as they worked together to care for their ill mother."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So there is some kind of a complementary relationship".

The New York Times

Melville has both a contradictory and complementary relationship with the philosophy behind the nouvelle vague.

The Guardian - Film

The former overcoat salesman and his artist son had an effervescent and complementary relationship that manufactured something memorable.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Williams says Twitter has "a very complementary relationship" with start-ups like CoTweet that build apps for specific audiences.

The New York Times - Tech

This desirable complementary relationship exists only when one crop or soil-management practice concurrent with it provides nutrient or conditions required by the other crop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The thinking behind this is that we have a very complementary relationship," said Vinnie Freda, executive vice president for digital logistics and business services at Universal Music Logistics.

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, while many Sikhs harboured a marked distaste for celibacy, others accepted the complementary relationship between householders and ascetics that characterizes many Indian religious traditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jagdish Bhagwati, a Columbia professor and leading Indian economist, introduced historian Ramachandra Guha of the London School of Economics, who went on to detail a complicated yet complementary relationship between two of India's dynamic founding fathers.

The New York Times

A complementary relationship exists between the sequence of purines (i.e., adenine and guanosine) and pyrimidines (cytosine and thymine) in the DNA comprising a gene and the sequence in mRNA into which this genetic information is transcribed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This implies a purely complementary relationship between the two sectors.

Health Economics Review

It can also be argued that a complementary relationship exists.

Health Economics Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or scientific writing, specify the exact mechanism of the 'complementarity' to add depth to your argument.

Common error

Do not use 'complimentary' (with an 'i') when you mean 'completing'. A 'complimentary relationship' would imply a relationship where people give each other praise or one that is free of charge, which is rarely the intended meaning in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

As a compound noun phrase, "complementary relationship" typically functions as the subject or direct object in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of connection characterized by synergy and completion. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use to categorize complex interactions where parts work together to form a more effective whole.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "complementary relationship" is a highly versatile and correct phrase used to describe entities that enhance or complete one another. Ludwig AI data shows that it is particularly prevalent in Science and News & Media, appearing in over 60 high-quality examples from sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. The most critical aspect of using this phrase correctly is ensuring the spelling of 'complementary' with an 'e' to denote completion rather than praise. Whether you are describing the "mutually supportive relationship" between two software platforms or the biological link between different enzymes, this phrase provides a professional and precise way to convey synergy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutually beneficial connection

Emphasizes the positive outcome or advantage gained by both parties involved.

synergistic partnership

Focuses on the combined action being greater than the sum of its individual parts.

reciprocal link

Stresses the two-way nature and mutual exchange between the entities.

interlocking dynamic

Suggests a structural fit where the pieces join together like a puzzle.

harmonious interplay

Connotes a smooth and aesthetically or functionally pleasing cooperation.

symbiotic arrangement

Uses a biological metaphor to imply a deep, often necessary, level of reliance.

supplementary association

Suggests one part adds what is missing to the other, though perhaps with less equality.

correlative tie

Often used in statistical or logical contexts to show a mutual relationship.

bilateral correspondence

A more formal and technical term for a two-sided agreement or similarity.

integrative bond

Highlights the process of combining separate elements into a unified whole.

FAQs

What is the difference between a "complementary relationship" and a "complimentary relationship"?

The term "complementary relationship" refers to things that complete each other, while a "complimentary relationship" would technically mean one involving praise or free services. The former is used for synergy, the latter for flattery or cost.

Can I use "synergistic partnership" instead?

Yes, especially in business or collaborative projects, a "synergistic partnership" is a strong alternative that emphasizes the added value created by working together.

How do you use "complementary relationship" in a scientific sentence?

In science, it often describes biological or chemical interactions, such as "The study highlights a "complementary relationship between" gene expression and environmental factors."

What does a "complementary relationship" mean in social psychology?

It refers to a dynamic where two people have different but compatible traits that fulfill each other's needs, often contrasted with a "symmetrical relationship" where both parties are similar.