he was complemented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was complemented" is not correct in the context you might be intending.
The correct term is "he was complimented." You can use "he was complimented" when referring to someone receiving praise or admiration from another person. Example: "After his presentation, he was complimented by his colleagues for his insightful analysis."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was complemented by a defense that was consistent and prepared to deal with Spurrier's deep-passing offense.

The New York Times - Sports

He was complemented in the backfield by freshman Anthony Thomas who added 549 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He is complemented inside by the 6-8 forWill Danielsniels, who made the all-conference first team last season and is averaging 19 points this season.

The New York Times - Sports

He is complemented by Sean Armand, a junior guard who averages 16.8 points, and David Laury, a sophomore forward who averages 13 points and 10.1 rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

He's complemented by the passionate, persuasive activist Katarzyna Szymielewicz and, on the business side of the equation, experienced Linklaters partner Tanguy Van Overstraeten and enterprising business lawyer Paolo Balboni.

The Guardian - Tech

He's complemented by a horde of players willing and able to, when their opponent grows tired of James brutalizing one defender and sends more to help, then make the open shot.

The New Yorker

As the upstart taking on the entrenched automakers, he's complemented by Robert Lutz, the former General Motors vice chairman who was an early and outspoken champion of the Chevrolet Volt program, and Nissan's chairman, Carlos Ghosn, whom Mr. Paine portrays as the father of the Nissan Leaf.

The New York Times

It was complemented by hyssop oil and almond oil.

The New York Times - Food

This climax was complemented by a formal intercultural conclusion.

The New York Times - Arts

The outdoor portion will, he hopes, be complemented with effects that he has no control over: a barge, the wind, the roar of a Metro-North train.

The New York Times - Arts

He will be complemented by the expected return of Jean-David Levitte, France's ambassador in Washington, DC, to be Mr Sarkozy's American-style national security adviser.In this section The big chill An inclusive government A North Sea signal False lustre The eleventh hour Clash of civilisations The burden of history ReprintsThere will be change at the Ministry of Finance as well.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey praise, use "complimented" instead of "complemented." "Complemented" means enhanced or completed, while "complimented" means praised.

Common error

Avoid using "complemented" when you mean to say someone was praised. "Complemented" refers to something that enhances or completes something else. For example, "His skills complemented hers perfectly". The correct word for praise is "complimented".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was complemented" functions as a passive construction, indicating that "he" received the action of being complemented. However, this usage is often incorrect, as it is commonly mistaken for "he was complimented". Ludwig AI confirms this is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was complemented" is often used incorrectly when the intention is to convey that someone received praise. The correct term is "he was complimented". As Ludwig AI highlights, this usage is not grammatically sound. While examples exist across various sources, including news outlets and online platforms, it's essential to distinguish between "complemented" (meaning to enhance or complete) and "complimented" (meaning to praise). Therefore, when aiming to express praise, always opt for "he was complimented" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received praise

Focuses on the reception of positive feedback rather than being enhanced or completed.

he was lauded

Emphasizes strong praise and admiration.

he was applauded

Highlights public approval and acclaim.

he earned accolades

Indicates achievement worthy of recognition.

his efforts were recognized

Focuses on the acknowledgment of effort rather than direct praise.

he was commended

Suggests formal praise or approval.

he drew compliments

Highlights attracting positive remarks.

praise was heaped on him

Emphasizes the abundance of praise received.

he was felicitated

Implies formal congratulations, typically for a specific achievement.

he was honored

Highlights respect and high regard shown through praise.

FAQs

What is the difference between "complemented" and "complimented"?

"Complemented" means to enhance or complete something, while "complimented" means to praise someone. For example, "His skills "complemented" hers", versus "He was "complimented" on his work".

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was complemented" when meaning "he was praised"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct term to use when referring to praise is "he was "complimented"".

What can I say instead of "he was complemented" if I mean "he was praised"?

You can use alternatives like "he was "praised"", "he was "lauded"", or "he was "applauded"".

How to use "complimented" in a sentence?

You can use "complimented" in a sentence like this: "After his presentation, he was "complimented" by his colleagues for his insightful analysis".