we were complemented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were complemented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to receiving praise or positive feedback from someone about something you did or created. Example: "After the presentation, we were complemented on our thorough research and engaging delivery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

Human Resources for Health

We are complementing you.

The New Yorker

"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

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

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

We want Nelson!" were complemented by sing-song chants of "Nelson!

The New York Times - Sports

To ensure that the resulting mutant phenotypes were indeed caused by these specific insertions, we constructed lines that were complemented by overexpressing endogenous PRF1, PRF2 or PRF3 cDNAs, respectively, under the control of the constitutive Actin2 promoter and terminator (A2pt).

BMC Plant Biology

The interviews were complemented with phone discussions.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were complemented" to express receiving positive feedback, especially when acknowledging a collaborative effort or a group achievement. It's particularly useful in formal reports or presentations to highlight the positive reception of the team's work.

Common error

Avoid confusing "we were complemented" (meaning 'praised') with "we were complemented" (meaning 'enhanced or completed'). The correct spelling depends entirely on the intended meaning. If you meant 'praised,' use 'complemented'; if you meant 'enhanced,' use 'complemented'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were complemented" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject ('we') received praise or positive feedback. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were complemented" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating that the speaker or a group received praise or positive feedback. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It's important not to confuse it with the homophone "complemented", which means 'enhanced'. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources, maintaining a neutral register. Alternatives include "we received praise" and "we were lauded", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received praise

Replaces "complemented" with a more direct synonym, focusing on receiving positive feedback.

we were praised

Uses a simpler verb to convey the act of receiving positive remarks.

our work was applauded

Highlights the positive reception of the work done, rather than direct praise.

we gained approval

Focuses on receiving a formal endorsement or positive judgment.

we earned commendation

Emphasizes deserving and receiving formal praise for specific achievements.

our efforts were valued

Shifts the focus to the appreciation of the work rather than direct compliments.

we were recognized for

Highlights that the acknowledgment was for a particular attribute or action.

we were lauded

Uses a more formal and emphatic term for being praised.

positive feedback was given to us

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the giving of feedback, rather than the receiving.

our contribution was appreciated

Highlights the value placed on the input provided.

FAQs

How can I use "we were complemented" in a sentence?

Use "we were complemented" to express that you or your team received praise or positive feedback. For example, "After the successful project launch, "we were complemented" on our thorough planning and execution."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were complemented"?

More formal alternatives include "we received commendation" or "we were lauded", both of which convey a higher degree of formality and respect.

Is "we were complemented" the same as "we were complimented"?

No, "we were complemented" (with an 'e') means we were praised, while "we were complemented" (with an 'i') means we were enhanced or completed. They are homophones but have different meanings and spellings.

What can I say instead of "we were complemented" to emphasize the value of our contribution?

Instead of "we were complemented", you can say "our contribution was appreciated" to highlight the value placed on your input, or "our efforts were valued" to focus on the recognition of the work done.