is complementary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is complementary to' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean something that enhances or complements something else. For example, "The bright green color of the walls is complementary to the yellow tone of the furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This methodology is complementary to experiments.

Electrochimica Acta

The minor thesis is complementary to the qualifying exam.

Harvard University

But it is complementary to renewables, as it can be turned on and off quickly.

The Guardian

This is complementary to the existing gradient-based approaches.

European Journal of Operational Research

Flowgen is complementary to the widely-used Doxygen documentation tool.

Computer Physics Communications

Our data is complementary to the BLUEPRINT data and will provide an additional resource.

Nature

This focus is complementary to research at CCRMA in several ways.

Stanford University

The effect of skills is complementary to the quality of economic institutions.

Stanford University

Drapkin says Hammond's biomaterials work is complementary to his own at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The IWI is complementary to GDP and an important instrument to measure progress toward sustainable development.

Columbia University

To close the tweezers, a single strand of DNA that is complementary to both dangling ends is put into solution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is complementary to" when you want to emphasize that two elements combine well to enhance each other, creating a more complete or effective whole. Ensure the context clearly demonstrates how each element contributes to the overall improvement or completeness.

Common error

Avoid confusing "complementary", which means enhancing, with "complimentary", which means expressing praise or given free of charge. Always double-check your spelling to ensure the intended meaning is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is complementary to" functions as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject with a predicate adjective, describing a relationship of enhancement or completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is complementary to" is a versatile expression used to describe how two or more elements enhance each other. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it's important to avoid confusing it with "complimentary". Alternatives such as "enhances", "supplements", and "augments" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember that clear context is key to ensuring the intended message is effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhances

Directly emphasizes the improvement or enrichment provided.

supplements

Highlights the idea of providing something extra to complete or enhance.

completes

Emphasizes the act of making something whole or finished.

combines effectively with

Highlights the successful integration of two or more things.

augments

Focuses on the enhancing or increasing aspect, not necessarily completing.

works well with

Indicates a functional and effective combination.

matches well with

Suggests a strong compatibility or suitability.

harmonizes with

Suggests a pleasing or congruent combination.

aligns with

Focuses on the act of things falling into correct relative position.

is in accordance with

Implies agreement and consistency.

FAQs

How can I use "is complementary to" in a sentence?

Use "is complementary to" when describing how one thing enhances or completes another. For example, "The new software is complementary to the existing system, improving its overall efficiency."

What are some alternatives to saying "is complementary to"?

You could use phrases like "enhances", "supplements", or "augments" to convey a similar meaning depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "is complementary to" and "is complimentary to"?

"Is complementary to" means something enhances or completes something else, while "is complimentary to" means expressing praise or offering something free. They are often confused due to similar spelling but have distinct meanings.

Is "is complementary to" formal or informal?

The phrase "is complementary to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the communication.