differing but complementary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differing but complementary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more elements that are different from each other yet enhance or complete one another. Example: "The two theories are differing but complementary, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Each is contaminated by the other, and for differing but complementary reasons, they tempt one another toward the fatal millpond in which Rosmer's wife drowned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

ATLAS and CMS have differing but complementary designs (28, 29).

Science Magazine

By way of a brief introduction, let's just set the two agencies side by side and observe their differing but complementary missions.

TechCrunch

Scientific and technical progress depends on collaboration among people with differing but complementary skills, and networking, Schmidt and Levine believe, is the perfectly honorable effort to find those people.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But complementary rather than contrasting tastes seem to work best.

The New York Times - Food

But complementary pieces still don't last long online.

The New Yorker

The results showed that the designed siRNAs with a mismatch in the sixteenth nucleotide of the guide strands could effectively discriminate the HBV-YIDD mutants from the wild-type alleles, thus providing a new insight into the development of antiviral therapy with differing or complementary patterns characteristic of lamivudine-resistant HBV.

Journal of Virological Methods

Independent but complementary goals?

SEP

They are not competitive but complementary techniques.

Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry

BioLogos differs from ASA in specifically focusing on the issues about evolution, and striving towards a mission "to help the church develop a worldview that embraces both of these complex but complementary ways of understanding the world and our place in it".

Huffington Post

The objective of these agreements is to lay out rules of the collaboration that meet the differing and complementary goals of the partners.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "differing but complementary" to emphasize that while elements are distinct, they enhance or complete each other, contributing to a more comprehensive whole. For example, use it to describe skillsets within a team or approaches to solving a problem.

Common error

Avoid using "differing but complementary" when the differences overshadow the complementary aspect. Ensure that the connection and mutual benefit are clear and significant, otherwise, focus solely on the differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differing but complementary" serves as a conjunctive phrase. It connects two adjectives, "differing" and "complementary", to show how seemingly contrasting elements can coexist and enhance each other. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differing but complementary" is a grammatically correct and useful construction to describe elements that, while distinct, enhance each other. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's particularly useful in academic, scientific, and news contexts. Though not extremely common, it offers a precise way to express synergy between contrasting entities. Remember to use it when the complementary aspect is as important as the difference. Consider alternatives like "distinct yet harmonious" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct yet harmonious

Emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of distinct elements.

varied yet integrated

Highlights the integration of varied components.

diverse but unified

Stresses the unity achieved despite diversity.

different but aligned

Focuses on the alignment of different elements towards a common goal.

contrasting yet converging

Highlights the convergence of contrasting aspects.

dissimilar but symbiotic

Emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between dissimilar entities.

divergent but collaborative

Highlights the collaborative nature of divergent elements.

separate but coordinated

Focuses on the coordinated interaction of separate components.

unique yet synergistic

Stresses the synergistic effect of unique elements.

individual but collective

Highlights the collective outcome of individual contributions.

FAQs

How can I use "differing but complementary" in a sentence?

Use "differing but complementary" to describe elements that are distinct yet enhance each other. For example: "The "two approaches" are differing but complementary, offering a comprehensive solution."

What's a good alternative to "differing but complementary"?

Alternatives include "distinct yet harmonious", "varied yet integrated", or "diverse but unified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "differing but complementary" most appropriate?

This phrase works well in academic, scientific, or professional settings to describe concepts, methods, or skill sets that, while distinct, contribute synergistically to a larger goal or understanding.

How does "differing but complementary" compare to simply saying "different and complementary"?

"Differing but complementary" emphasizes the contrast more strongly before highlighting the synergy. It suggests that the elements might seem opposed at first glance, but actually work well together. "Different and complementary" is more neutral.