similar and complementary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "similar and complementary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that share similarities while also enhancing or completing each other. Example: "The two designs are similar and complementary, creating a cohesive look for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

One of the early steps to starting a new organization of any kind involves brainstorming lists of organizations who do similar and complementary work.

Huffington Post

The Rangers and Cardinals a matchup that isn't exactly a ratings goldmine are flawed and fascinating in some similar and complementary ways, and so the games have featured an especially bracing and fun version of baseball's usual tense sleepiness.

Vice

Thus our findings are similar and complementary to the information from the Sanger database.

Plosone

A similar and complementary approach has been very successful with design of mixed sequence recognizing polyamides.

Biochemistry

The results of a similar and complementary investigation were published [ 57] while this report was being finalized.

BMC Genomics

All researchers who bring similar and complementary interests and skills need to be integrated into problem defining as well as solving.

BioData Mining

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In great marriages, the couples don't just share similar tastes, but they have shared viewpoints, similar values and complementary personalities.

Huffington Post

In the present study, CEA and CA19-9 were found to be of similar value and complementary in the detection of recurrence following liver resection.

British Journal of Cancer

We found four similar and two complementary dimensions.

Teaching and Teacher Education

"The [experimental] designs were different, but the end results were very similar and highly complementary," says Ian Wilson, co-author on the Science paper and a structural and computational biologist at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, California.

Science Magazine

Their actions are similar and perhaps complementary to the action of histamine in promoting bronchoconstriction in the lung, for recruiting other inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes to the site of injury.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing elements designed to work together, use "similar and complementary" to highlight both their shared qualities and how they enhance each other.

Common error

Avoid using "similar and complementary" redundantly. If the context already implies that the elements work well together, focus on the specific ways they interact instead of stating the obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "similar and complementary" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe elements that share resemblances while also enhancing or completing each other. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, confirming its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "similar and complementary" is a grammatically correct and widely applicable expression used to describe elements that share resemblances and enhance each other. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, including science, news, and business. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy and ensure the context warrants both aspects of similarity and complementarity. Related phrases like "analogous and complementary" offer nuanced alternatives. This phrase effectively conveys the idea of synergistic relationships between different components.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

analogous and complementary

Emphasizes a likeness in function or structure, enhancing the cooperative relationship.

comparable and complementary

Highlights that the subjects can be compared but also add unique value to each other.

related and complementary

Highlights the connection between the items while emphasizing their synergistic effect.

alike and supportive

Conveys resemblance combined with the idea of mutual assistance or reinforcement.

akin and enhancing

Suggests a natural connection that results in an amplified or improved outcome.

harmonious and supplementary

Highlights a pleasing or congruent alignment alongside the idea of providing something extra or additional.

matching and reciprocal

Implies equivalence and a mutual exchange or interaction.

corresponding and compensatory

Highlights a parallel relationship where one element makes up for deficiencies in the other.

parallel and integrative

Indicates a side-by-side alignment that allows for the merging of different elements.

compatible and synergistic

Highlights the ability to coexist effectively, creating an amplified combined effect.

FAQs

How can I use "similar and complementary" in a sentence?

Use "similar and complementary" to describe how different elements or entities share resemblances while also enhancing or completing each other. For example: "The two strategies are "similar and complementary", creating a robust approach to the problem."

What words are similar to "similar and complementary"?

Alternatives include "analogous and complementary", "comparable and complementary", or "related and complementary", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very similar and complementary"?

Adding "very" before "similar" can sometimes be redundant if the "complementary" aspect already implies a strong relationship. Consider if emphasizing the degree of similarity is truly necessary for your intended meaning.

What is the difference between "similar and complementary" and "identical and complementary"?

"Similar and complementary" suggests elements share characteristics and enhance each other. "Identical and complementary" implies the elements are the same but still have a supportive relationship. The former focuses on resemblance plus synergy, while the latter highlights synergy despite sameness.