its complement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its complement" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to grammar, mathematics, or logic where something is being completed or contrasted. For example, "In this sentence, the subject is followed by its complement." Alternative expressions include "its counterpart" and "its counterpart element."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each letter pairs with only one other letter, its complement.

The New York Times - Science

If an overbearing America has been a problem, an underperforming Europe has been its complement.

The New York Times

Static verbs establish a relationship of equals between the subject of a sentence and its complement.

The New York Times

Each gelatin matrix thus imprinted its complement onto the film base.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hakodate is a port city on Hokkaido; Aomori is its complement on Mutsu Bay, Honshu.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A volume control on the back of the Q3 completes its complement of buttons.

The New York Times

For instance, the intersection of a fuzzy subset and its complement may be nonempty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sausagemeat already has its complement of filler, of course; usually rusk, whereas I prefer to add my own.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I missed that landscape-painter feeling, seeing the shape of the land, seeing its complement, the local watershed.

The New Yorker

This year Film Education will also be adding to its complement of MoPix cross-platform editing resources (£35).

The Guardian

Moreover, each side has its complement….

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "its complement", ensure the context clearly defines what is being complemented. Clarity is key, especially in technical or scientific writing.

Common error

A common mistake is using "its complement" without establishing a clear boundary or universe of discourse. Always define the set or context to which the complement refers to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its complement" functions primarily as a determiner followed by a noun, where the noun serves as a subject complement, object complement, or modifies another noun. Ludwig confirms its wide use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "its complement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across varied domains. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is particularly prevalent in science, news, and encyclopedic contexts, denoting completion, opposition, or a related counterpart. When employing "its complement", ensure clarity in defining the reference to which it applies, avoiding ambiguity in the described relationship. Common alternatives include "its counterpart" and "its opposite", offering subtle nuances in meaning. By understanding its functions and contexts, writers can leverage "its complement" to articulate precise relationships between elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

its counterpart

This alternative emphasizes a direct correspondence or similarity, suggesting a matching or equivalent element.

its other half

This phrase implies a division into two equal or complementary parts, often used in a more figurative sense.

its corresponding element

This suggests a precise and specific matching item, often in a technical or mathematical context.

its opposite

This indicates a direct contrast or reversal, highlighting the differences rather than the completion.

its inverse

This is commonly used in mathematics to describe operations that undo each other, such as multiplication and division.

its matching part

This is a more general term suggesting that there are two parts that should go together.

its reciprocal

Like inverse, this refers to one of a pair of numbers (or quantities) that when multiplied together equals 1.

its completion

This phrase highlights the act of making something whole or complete.

its supplement

This refers to something added to enhance or complete something else, focusing on augmentation.

its addition

This phrase is much like its supplement, highlighting the fact that it is an addition to something else.

FAQs

How is "its complement" used in grammar?

In grammar, "its complement" often refers to a word, phrase, or clause that is needed to complete the meaning of a verb or subject. For example, in the sentence "She is a doctor", "a doctor" is the subject complement.

What is the meaning of "its complement" in mathematics?

In mathematics, especially set theory, "its complement" refers to the set of all elements that are not in a given set. If you have a set A, its complement includes everything not in A within a defined universal set.

Can you give an example of "its complement" in genetics?

In genetics, "its complement" often describes the complementary strand of DNA. For instance, if one strand has the sequence ATGC, its complement is TACG.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "its complement"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "its counterpart", "its opposite", or "its reciprocal" to express a similar meaning.