complementary skills

USAGE SUMMARY

"complementary skills" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe two different sets of skills that work together in order to achieve a common goal. For example: "The team was successful because of their complementary skills; each member contributed unique skills that complemented those of the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The two men had complementary skills.

The New York Times

Mr Bush's team has complementary skills.

The Economist

We don't compete and have complementary skills".

Independent

Butorac said that he had always pursued players with complementary skills, which is the conventional thinking.

The New York Times - Sports

Just as in 2005, England now have bowlers with different but complementary skills.

The Guardian - Sport

Along with complementary skills, Sevitt says that a strong belief in the proposed business is important.

The Guardian

The three men have complementary skills, investment bankers and other deal makers said.

The New York Times

This one-day course will introduce you to two sets of different but complementary skills.

The Guardian

"Having complementary skills is really important, says Fitzgerald. "I know myself well; I have strengths and I have weaknesses.

The Guardian

When working with a co-founder, it helps to have the same core values and complementary skills.

The New York Times

Agarwal sought someone with complementary skills, but their different personalities mean they disagree daily over design and copywriting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In project proposals, clearly articulate how the team's "complementary skills" will contribute to the successful completion of the project.

Common error

Avoid using "complimentary skills" when you mean "complementary skills". "Complimentary" means expressing praise or admiration, whereas "complementary" means enhancing or completing each other. The correct phrase emphasizes synergy, not flattery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complementary skills" functions as a noun phrase that describes the types of skills that enhance or complete each other when combined, contributing to a more effective outcome. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complementary skills" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe different abilities that enhance each other when combined. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in discussions of teamwork, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness. The phrase is especially frequent in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure you differentiate it from "complimentary skills", and remember that the key concept is the synergistic effect of combining diverse talents. Building teams with "complementary skills" is a recognized best practice for achieving successful outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diverse yet compatible skills

Highlights that different skills can work together in synergy.

mutually supportive skills

Highlights how skills provide support and assistance to each other.

combined capabilities

Refers to the total set of abilities that result from merging different skills.

interdependent skills

Stresses how skills rely on each other for effective performance.

integrated skills

Focuses on skills that are combined or blended into a cohesive whole.

collaborative skills

Emphasizes the cooperative nature of how different skills are used together.

interlocking skills

Implies that skills are connected and work together closely.

harmonizing skills

Emphasizes the smooth and agreeable combination of different skills.

synchronized skills

Highlights the coordinated and simultaneous application of different skills.

corresponding skills

Suggests that skills are in agreement or alignment with each other.

FAQs

How can I use "complementary skills" in a sentence?

You can use "complementary skills" to describe how different abilities combine to form a more effective whole. For example: "The success of the project relied on the team's "complementary skills".".

What's the difference between "complementary skills" and "supplementary skills"?

"Complementary skills" are different abilities that enhance each other, while "supplementary skills" are additional skills that support or augment existing ones. One completes, and the other adds on.

What are some alternatives to saying "complementary skills"?

You can use phrases like "integrated skills", "mutually supportive skills", or "harmonizing skills" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "complementary skills"?

"Complementary skills" is appropriate in contexts where discussing teamwork, collaboration, or the combined abilities of individuals or groups, like business, sports, or research. However, this expression may sound too formal in casual conversations.