complimentary order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complimentary order" is not correct in standard English usage.
It seems to be a confusion between "complimentary" (meaning free of charge) and "complementary" (meaning completing or enhancing something). Example: "The restaurant offered a complimentary order of bread with every meal."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Those who buy two flights (they are $10 each) will receive a complimentary order of garlic-scallion chili wings.

The New York Times

When we ordered the excellent paper-thin rounds of fried zucchini and eggplant, our waiter brought a complimentary order of tzatziki, saying that the amount of the yogurt dip served with the vegetables usually was not enough for most people.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That included making the court-ordered payment, the spokesman said, adding that a complimentary lunch order had been sent to Driscoll's workplace in Sydney.

The Guardian - Business

For instance, after I typed my ZIP code into a query box on the home page, the site routed me to the New York regional club's site at AAANY.com, where in return for registering my name and address I was able to order complimentary state and city maps, which the site informed me would arrive in 7 to 10 days.

The New York Times - Tech

Assortments of vegetables and noodles are complimentary with each order.

Los Angeles Times

The 12-room inn is comfortable and stylish, and the complimentary made-to-order breakfasts (including a gourmet take on the full English) is one highlight; the other is the utterly attentive host named Nes.

The New York Times - Travel

Stay: Embassy Suites Dorado Del Mar Beach & Golf Resort, just outside San Juan, includes an 18-hole Chi Chi Rodriguez-designed golf course built along the rocky cliffs and jetties of Puerto Rico's Atlantic coast; complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is included (201 Dorado Del Mar Blvd., Dorado, Puerto Rico, embassysuites.hilton.com, doubles from $159).

Huffington Post

"We'll order additional complimentary catering, a few extra bottles of wine or more food," he said.

The New York Times

Also, guests who wear costumes at the restaurants on Halloween night receive a complimentary beer when they order dinner.

The New York Times

This study demonstrates that HD and HS-SPME modes could be complimentary extraction techniques in order to obtain the complete characterization of plant volatiles.

Chemistry Central Journal

According to a neighbour who attended the association meeting, Norman showed up, ate a couple of slices of the complimentary pizza the board orders for such gatherings, then immediately left. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to say that something completes or enhances another order, use "complementary order".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "complimentary" when they mean "complementary". "Complimentary" means 'given free of charge', while "complementary" means 'enhancing or completing something else'. Always double-check the intended meaning to avoid this error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complimentary order" functions as a noun phrase, where "complimentary" acts as a modifier describing the "order". However, the primary meaning of "complimentary" (expressing praise or given free) often causes confusion in this context, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complimentary order" presents a challenge due to the dual meaning of "complimentary". While it's often used to describe an order given free of charge, the term technically means 'expressing praise'. This can cause confusion, as identified by Ludwig AI. To avoid ambiguity, it's best to use "free order" or "no-charge order" for clarity. If you intend to convey that an order enhances or completes another, use "complementary order" instead. Be mindful of the context and audience to ensure your message is accurately understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free order

Replaces 'complimentary' with 'free', directly indicating that the order is without charge.

no-charge order

Similar to 'free order', emphasizes that there is no cost associated with the order.

order at no cost

Expresses the idea that the order does not involve any payment.

order included without charge

Explicitly states the order is included for free.

gratis order

Uses a less common word 'gratis' which means free.

complementary order

Uses 'complementary' instead of 'complimentary', suggesting the order completes or enhances another.

supplemental order

Suggests an order that adds to or completes a previous one.

additional order

Indicates an extra order, but doesn't necessarily mean it's free or complementary.

extra order

Similar to 'additional order', implying an order that is not part of the original.

bonus order

Suggests the order is an unexpected addition or reward.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say an order is free?

The correct way to indicate an order is free is to say "free order" or "no-charge order". The word "complimentary" means 'expressing a compliment or praise'.

What's the difference between "complimentary" and "complementary"?

"Complimentary" means 'given free of charge or expressing praise', while "complementary" means 'enhancing or completing something else'. For example, a "free order" is complimentary, but colors can be complementary.

When should I use "complementary" in relation to an order?

Use "complementary" when referring to an order that enhances or completes another. For example, you might say that a side dish is a "complementary order" to the main course.

Is "complimentary order" ever correct?

While technically incorrect in standard usage to mean a free order, the phrase "complimentary order" could be interpreted as an order that expresses praise or a positive sentiment in a very unusual and likely confusing context. It is generally better to use the phrase to express the meaning of compliment or praise. When something is given for free, use "free order".