we are complementing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are complementing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of enhancing or completing something, often in the context of adding to or improving a situation or item. Example: "In this project, we are complementing our existing strategies with new technologies to improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We are complementing you.

The New Yorker

We are complementing these studies with brain imaging to assess topographical changes in cortical organization as a function of time past surgery and their correlations with the behaviorally observed skill acquisition.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We are complementing the sequence analysis with experimental analysis of development in select species from each taxa, examination of the activity of enhancers from these species in D. melanogaster embryos, and extensive testing of hypotheses regarding regulatory sequence function and evolution.

University of California, Berkeley

To confirm that the PCBA-capped CdSe of the intracomplex quenching is indeed charge injection of a conduction band electron of the photoexcited CdSe NPs to the surface-bound PCBA, we are complementing our studies by time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopic measurements with CdSe NPs and PCBA-capped CdSe.

Nanoscale Res Lett

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We've engaged with the operators to make sure we're complementing what they're doing and not interfering with their routes into residential areas," he explains.

The Guardian

"I'd say we're complementing WhatsApp, WeChat and Line.

TechCrunch

We thought we were complementing an incredibly important cuisine, in a way that would cater to people that had certain dietary requirements". US celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern came under fire for saying that his restaurant Lucky Cricket would save people from the low-standard "restaurants masquerading as Chinese food that are in the Midwest".

BBC

In a sense, we're complementing systems of representative government with mass engagement, that is, online grassroots democracy.

Huffington Post

As we film events like this for our Easter special, I'm so happy we're complementing the big-city culture with rustic, small-town passion.

Huffington Post

But after a while she saw we were complementing each other.' (CHA 6, male).

Human Resources for Health

But it only worked in Iraq, really, when we were complemented by an effective counterinsurgency effort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are complementing" when you want to convey that you are enhancing something else, not replacing it. For example, "We are complementing the existing curriculum with new interactive learning tools".

Common error

Avoid confusing "complementing" with "complimenting". "Complementing" means enhancing or completing, while "complimenting" means expressing praise or admiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are complementing" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action. It signifies that the subject ('we') is currently in the process of enhancing or completing something else. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are complementing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase signifying the ongoing action of enhancing or completing something. As shown by Ludwig, it is commonly found in academic, news, and scientific contexts. It's important to differentiate it from the homophone "complimenting", which means expressing praise. This phrase can be replaced with alternatives like ""we are supplementing"" or "we are enhancing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are supplementing

Replaces "complementing" with "supplementing", indicating an addition to something already existing.

we are enhancing

Focuses on improving the quality or value of something.

we are augmenting

Suggests increasing something by adding to it.

we are enriching

Emphasizes making something fuller or more meaningful.

we are reinforcing

Implies strengthening or supporting something.

we are rounding out

Indicates completing something by adding the final touches.

we are adding to

A more general phrase for making an addition.

we are improving

Focuses on making something better.

we are bolstering

Suggests supporting or strengthening something, particularly morale or confidence.

we are supporting

Provides assistance or backing to something.

FAQs

How can I use "we are complementing" in a sentence?

Use "we are complementing" to indicate that you are enhancing something else or adding to it in a way that improves the whole. For example, "We are complementing our marketing strategy with social media campaigns".

What's the difference between "we are complementing" and "we are supplementing"?

"We are complementing" implies enhancing or completing something, while "we are supplementing" ("we are supplementing") means adding something extra to make up for a deficiency. The first enhances, the second compensates.

Is it correct to say "we are complimenting" instead of "we are complementing"?

No, "we are complimenting" ("we are complimenting") is different. "Complimenting" means expressing praise. The correct phrase for enhancing something is "we are complementing".

What can I say instead of "we are complementing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "we are enhancing", ""we are supplementing"", or "we are augmenting".