supplemental

USAGE SUMMARY

'supplemental' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe material that provides extra information, usually as an addition to something else. For example: "We have included supplemental material in this report to provide additional information on our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Under the Census Bureau's "supplemental poverty measure", which includes cost-of-living adjustments and non-cash benefits, California has America's highest poverty rate: almost a quarter of its 38m residents cannot pay for basic necessities.

The Economist

Some point out that supplemental UI benefits have been in place longer and paid out more than in past recessions.

The Economist

Within months his unit, which had six-full time analysts and two supplemental staff fewer by far than the team that monitored Islamic threats was gutted, "out of malice and risk aversion", Mr Johnson maintains, and out of fear of politically motivated budget cuts.

The Economist

In other words, very good at killing people.Many if not most of our products offer not some supplemental happiness, but release from some unpleasantness.

The Economist

It was still unclear whether climbers could survive at that height, or even whether supplemental oxygen would help at all.

The Economist

The Census Bureau's "supplemental poverty measure", which uses a similar methodology, has it at 23.8%, the highest in the country (by the traditional measurement California is 14th).

The Economist

His victorious opponent, David Brat, attacked Mr Cantor in a debate for "voting to fully fund Obamacare" last fall; the reference was to Mr Cantor's vote to approve a supplemental appropriations bill that ended the government shutdown.

The Economist

Ms Lowrey points out the opposite is also a possibility: McDonald's has little pressure to pay you a living wage if the government is sending you supplemental cheques every month.Whatever else they say about a basic income, everyone seems to assume that it would decrease income inequality.

The Economist

For many who rely solely on food stamps, there is very little "supplemental" about the programme now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP).

The Economist

He has half a dozen cars in varying states of disrepair parked outside his trailer, car-parts everywhere and a pile of crushed Pepsi cans below his porch.He "draws" $521 a month in supplemental security income (a form of cash assistance for the elderly, poor and disabled).

The Economist

Historically, the Fed has been buy-and-hold.[Then there's the supplemental financing programme, or SFP, under which the Treasury issues extra debt, and leaves the proceeds on deposit at the Fed rather than spending them. This process reduces reserves.]If we're going to go the supplemental financing programme route, we need SFPs to be exempt from the debt ceiling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supplemental", ensure it clearly indicates an addition that enhances or supports the main element, rather than being essential to it.

Common error

Avoid using "supplemental" to describe something that is a core requirement. "Supplemental" implies an optional or enhancing addition, not a necessary component.

Linguistic Context

The word "supplemental" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are additions or enhancements to something else. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, such as "supplemental poverty measure" or "supplemental staff".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supplemental" functions as an adjective to describe something that enhances or supports a primary element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using "supplemental", ensure the modified element is truly an addition rather than a core component. Consider using alternatives like "additional" or "supplementary" for similar meanings. With these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate the term into your writing, ensuring clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

additional

This alternative is a direct synonym, suggesting something added to what already exists.

supplementary

This alternative is almost interchangeable with "supplemental", emphasizing the providing of something extra to complete or enhance.

auxiliary

This term refers to providing support or assistance; it suggests a secondary or backup role.

complementary

This alternative emphasizes completing or enhancing something else, focusing on creating a well-rounded whole.

extra

This option simply indicates something beyond what is usual or expected.

ancillary

This term describes something that provides necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, system, etc.

subsidiary

This alternative suggests a subordinate or secondary role, often related to a larger entity.

adjunctive

This alternative highlights something added to assist or supplement.

add-on

This term is more informal and suggests something attached or added to something else, usually to enhance its functionality.

follow-up

This term relates to an action or item that continues or completes something previous.

FAQs

How can I use "supplemental" in a sentence?

Use "supplemental" to describe something that adds to or enhances something else. For example, "The report includes "supplemental data" for further analysis".

What is a good alternative to the word "supplemental"?

Alternatives to "supplemental" include "additional", "supplementary", or "auxiliary", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "supplemental" and "supplementary"?

The terms "supplemental" and "supplementary" are often used interchangeably, but "supplemental" might suggest a more direct or immediate addition, while "supplementary" can imply a more general supportive role. The distinction is subtle and context-dependent.

When should I use "supplemental" instead of "complementary"?

"Supplemental" refers to something added to enhance or support, whereas "complementary" refers to something that completes or enhances by providing what is lacking. Use "supplemental" when simply adding more, and "complementary" when filling a gap.