complements that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complements that" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of something enhancing or completing another thing, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The new design complements that of the previous model, creating a cohesive look."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Staake's cover complements that work perfectly.

The New Yorker

And the whole Bradford City success story complements that and is giving people a wonderful feeling".

The Guardian - Sport

"So eat late, open late, have alcohol that complements that kind of food".

The New York Times - Travel

We report an experiment in which self-paced reading times were found to be longer for complements that required type-shifting than for complements that directly matched the semantic restrictions of the matrix verb.

Cognition

Doing this required maintaining focus and resisting the urge to add features or complements that might add revenue but weren't closely tied to the long-term strategy.

Harvard Business Review

But if schools can work out ways to integrate tech use that usefully complements that learning without harrowing their budgets, then they should feel free to do so.

The Guardian

It was in every respect a Joseph Ackermann moment and he lapped up the praise and complements that came with the award.

The New York Times

This study focuses mainly on the amorphous component of these blends and thus complements that recently performed (Polymer 1993, 34, 4669) in which the crystalline phases were analysed.

Polymer

Compliment Box – give and receive complements that display on both your profile and a canvas page.

TechCrunch

This space information complements that from balloons, surface stations and aeroplanes (and not forgetting other types of satellite).

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They want to see the government complement that.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "complements that" with more precise verbs like "supplements", "enhances", or "completes" depending on the intended meaning. This will improve grammatical correctness and avoid potential ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "complements that" as a one-size-fits-all phrase. Ensure the chosen verb accurately reflects the specific relationship you're describing; for example, use "supplements" when adding to something, and "enhances" when improving it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complements that" functions as a verb phrase followed by a demonstrative pronoun. The verb 'complements' implies an addition or enhancement, while 'that' refers to a previously mentioned element. Ludwig AI suggests this phrase might lack clarity in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "complements that" appears across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. As such, it's recommended to opt for more precise alternatives like "supplements that", "enhances that", or "completes that" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness. Ludwig examples show the phrase's presence in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. Choosing more precise language is essential, especially in formal writing, and the given FAQs and writing guidance can aid in making more appropriate choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplements that

Focuses on adding something extra to what already exists, emphasizing augmentation.

enhances that

Highlights the improvement or intensification of something, making it better.

augments that

Emphasizes increasing the size or amount of something, often in a measurable way.

completes that

Indicates that something is made whole or finished by the addition.

harmonizes with that

Suggests a pleasing or congruent combination, often in terms of aesthetics or compatibility.

is in accordance with that

Shows an agreement or alignment between two things.

is consistent with that

Demonstrates a lack of contradiction or deviation from something.

is compatible with that

Indicates that two things can coexist or work together effectively.

is congruent with that

Suggests a close similarity or correspondence in form or nature.

meshes well with that

Implies a smooth and effective integration or combination.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "complements that"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "complements that" with phrases like "supplements that", "enhances that", or "completes that" to ensure grammatical correctness.

How can I use "complements that" correctly in a sentence?

While "complements that" is often used, it's not considered standard English. To improve clarity and correctness, rephrase your sentence using a more precise verb like "supplements", "enhances", or "completes" based on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "complements that" and "supplements that"?

"Complements that" suggests an addition that completes something. "Supplements that" specifically means adding something extra to enhance or improve what already exists. The latter is generally a clearer and more grammatically correct choice.

Is "complements that" considered formal or informal language?

Due to its questionable grammatical status, "complements that" is best avoided in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "enhances that" or "supplements that" for professional or academic contexts.