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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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complements in

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complements in" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to how something enhances or adds to another thing, but it lacks proper context or structure. Example: "The new software complements in improving our workflow efficiency." (This example is incorrect; it should be rephrased for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This Appalachian coal, like the Mesabi iron that it complements in U.S. industry, is extraordinary.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

As chief executives, these "complements" in the end proved to be disappointments.

News & Media

The Economist

Corn and Vidalia onions, the base ingredients in an appetizer soup, find their complements in crab and arugula.

News & Media

The New York Times

(2) Are user and system recommendations substitutes or complements in affecting product sales in e-commerce?

In other words, greenhouse gases and local pollutants are typically substitutes and not complements in the production process.

Specifically, he believes that writing requires, in order of priority, talent, focus and endurance — all of which find their complements in the habit of running.

Stepping back for a longer view, Mr. Paquette uses vibrant color complements in "Trees, Somes Sound," an impressionistic treatment of branches silhouetted against a glowing sky.

News & Media

The New York Times

Furthermore, the study reveals that these choices are interdependent, as they function as complements in generating cognitive conflict, which in turn drives the realisation of innovation ambidexterity outcomes.

We argue that the data is consistent with agents perceiving academic achievement in various subjects as substitutes, not complements, in education production.

We survey results concerning star complements in finite regular graphs, and note the connection with designs and strongly regular graphs in certain cases.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In addition, it also offers on-line shopping through its website www.Kohls.com that is designed to provide a convenient, easy-to-navigate, on-line shopping environment that complements in-store focus.

News & Media

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "complements in" with more direct alternatives such as "enhances" or "is complementary to" to make the relationship explicit.

Common error

Avoid using "complements in" when a simpler preposition like "to" or "within" provides better clarity; often, restructuring the sentence to use "complementary to" or a verb like "enhance" results in improved readability.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complements in" functions as a prepositional phrase, often attempting to describe how different elements enhance or complete each other. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this phrasing can be grammatically awkward and is often better replaced with more precise language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

22%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complements in" is frequently used across various domains like science, news media, and academia to express how different elements enhance or work well together. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically questionable and often leads to awkward or unclear sentences. Alternatives such as "is complementary to", "enhances", or simply restructuring the sentence are generally recommended for improved clarity and precision. Despite its frequent appearance, particularly in technical and analytical contexts, writers should strive for more conventional and unambiguous phrasing to effectively convey the intended meaning. Using alternatives like "enhances within", "integrates with", or "works in tandem with" /s/works+in+tandem with can help improve readability and avoid potential misunderstandings.

FAQs

What does "complements in" mean?

The phrase "complements in" is often used to suggest that two or more things enhance each other. However, it's generally better to use more precise language such as "is complementary to" or simply "enhances" to avoid ambiguity.

How can I improve sentences that use "complements in"?

Try replacing "complements in" with phrases like "is "complementary to"", "enhances", or restructuring the sentence to use a stronger verb that clearly shows the relationship between the elements.

Is "complements in" grammatically correct?

While "complements in" appears in various sources, it's not considered standard English. It's often more precise and grammatically sound to use alternatives like "is "complementary to"" or to rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Which is better, "complements in" or "complementary to"?

"Complementary to" is generally better because it's grammatically correct and clearly indicates that one thing enhances or completes another. "Complements in" can be vague and is often better replaced with a stronger verb or prepositional phrase.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: