with compliments

USAGE SUMMARY

"with compliments" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when thanking someone for something they have done, or when encouraging them. For example, "Thank you for your hard work on this project. With compliments, your supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And so too with compliments.

University of California, Berkeley

And you will be showered with compliments.

The Guardian - Money

Scots are not particularly good with compliments.

The Guardian - Sport

Some approached with compliments and asked where she found it.

The New York Times

He was charming, animated and generous with compliments.

The New York Times

He was stingy with compliments and liberal with criticism.

The New Yorker

Daily Telegraph columnist Peter Oborne showered him with compliments.

The Guardian

As Lillo put it: "they attack you with compliments.

The Guardian - Sport

It is smart to butter them up with compliments.

The New York Times

Pure Oil pathfinder for South Dakota / with compliments of The Pure Oil Company, U.S. A

Yale University

Sullen teenagers take the headphones from their ears to shower their parents with compliments.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like "shower", "lavish" or "pepper" to describe an abundance of positive feedback.

Common error

Ensure you use the spelling with an 'i'. A 'compliment' is an expression of praise, whereas a 'complement' (with an 'e') refers to something that completes or goes well with something else. Writing 'with complements' when you mean to give praise is a frequent orthographic error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with compliments" functions primarily as an adverbial prepositional phrase. It modifies how an action is performed, typically indicating that an item or statement is delivered as a gesture of respect, admiration or professional courtesy. According to Ludwig, it frequently follows verbs of giving or communicative acts to specify the positive intent of the speaker.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with compliments" is a versatile and essential tool for polite English communication. Analysis from Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across high-authority journalism and educational resources. It serves a dual role: in social contexts, it describes the act of praising someone (often used with verbs like "showered" or "lavished"), while in professional settings, it acts as a shorthand for generosity or gift-giving. A key takeaway is the importance of the 'i' spelling to avoid confusion with its homophone "complements". Whether you are 'buttering up' an audience or simply sending a gift, using "with compliments" adds a layer of refinement and goodwill to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with praise

Directly identifies the act of expressing approval or admiration

accompanied by compliments

More explicit structure highlighting that the compliments are an addition to another action

offering compliments

Uses a participle to show the active delivery of praise

by way of compliment

A more formal idiomatic construction used to explain the intent behind an action

with commendations

Significantly more formal, often used in official or military contexts

with best wishes

Often used interchangeably on gift slips or as a formal closing

including compliments

Treats the praise as a component of a larger set of interactions

with flattery

Suggests a potentially insincere or exaggerated form of praise

with kind regards

Standard professional sign-off with a slightly different social function

with adulation

Indicates an extreme or excessive level of praise

FAQs

How do I use "with compliments" in a formal letter?

In formal contexts, "with compliments" usually appears on a dedicated slip of paper accompanying a package or as part of a sentence such as "Please accept this gift <a href="/s/with+our+compliments" target="_blank" rel="alternative">with our compliments".

What is a better way to say "with compliments" in a casual setting?

For a more relaxed tone, you might use phrases like "<a href="/s/with+praise" target="_blank" rel="alternative">with praise" or simply mention you are "<a href="/s/offering+kind+words" target="_blank" rel="alternative">offering kind words".

Is it "with compliments" or "with complements"?

The correct phrase for giving praise is "with compliments". Use "<a href="/s/complements" target="_blank" rel="alternative">complements" only when referring to things that enhance or complete each other, like wine that complements a meal.

Can I use "with compliments" to mean 'free of charge'?

Yes, in the hospitality and service industries, providing something "with compliments" (often shortened to "complimentary") indicates that the item is a gift from the establishment and is <a href="/s/free+of+charge" target="_blank" rel="alternative">free of charge.