full complement of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full complement of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a complete set or total number of something, often in contexts like teams, resources, or equipment. Example: "The project was successful because we had a full complement of skilled workers on site."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shelves are stocked with a full complement of whiskeys.

The New York Times - Travel

For once, Sale have a full complement of players.

The Guardian - Sport

Here, the chemist's counter had a full complement of staff.

The Guardian

It has a head and a full complement of limbs.

Independent

Full complement of drinks with the usual special cocktail list.

The New York Times

"Typically, he gets a full complement of reps.

The New York Times - Sports

Poor Phelan would simply be content to have a full complement of fit forwards.

The Guardian - Sport

The film-makers had four Lancaster bombers rather than the full complement of 19.

The Guardian - Film

With the six appointments, the mayor now has a full complement of eight board members.

The New York Times

There is also a full complement of deftly prepared yakitori ($2.50 to $8 each).

The New York Times - Food

Whether a full complement of Democrats will be on hand to welcome him is doubtful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full complement of" when you want to emphasize that all necessary or expected components are present. For instance, "The team had a full complement of experienced engineers."

Common error

Avoid using "full complement of" when referring to a general abundance; it is best used when indicating that something has reached its complete or required number. For example, instead of saying "The garden has a full complement of flowers", consider "The garden has an abundance of flowers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full complement of" functions as a determiner or modifier, specifying that a noun possesses all its necessary or expected elements. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "full complement of" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate that something possesses all the necessary or expected elements. As Ludwig confirms, its function is to emphasize completeness, making it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and professional communications. While it is versatile, remember to use it when you truly mean that something is complete and not merely abundant. Consider alternatives such as "complete array of" or "total number of" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete array of

Focuses on the completeness and variety of items.

entire set of

Emphasizes that all items are present and accounted for.

total number of

Highlights the numerical aspect of the quantity.

whole collection of

Suggests a gathering of items in their entirety.

comprehensive range of

Implies a wide and thorough assortment.

full assembly of

Suggests a complete gathering or construction of components.

entire inventory of

Focuses on the complete stock or supply of goods.

complete stock of

Focuses on the completeness of the available supply.

total allocation of

Emphasizes the complete distribution or assignment of resources.

entire supply of

Focuses on the completeness of the available resources or provisions.

FAQs

How can I use "full complement of" in a sentence?

Use "full complement of" to indicate that something possesses all the necessary or expected components. For example: "The library has a "full complement of" books for research."

What can I say instead of "full complement of"?

You can use alternatives like "complete array of", "entire set of", or "total number of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "full complement of" or "complete complement of"?

"Full complement of" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "complete complement of" isn't incorrect, it's less frequently used and may sound redundant.

What does "full complement of" mean?

The phrase "full complement of" refers to a complete or total number of something, indicating that everything that is expected or required is present.