Complimentary and complementary are two adjectives that are often confused. They look similar and sound the same (both are pronounced /ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri/ or /ˌkɒmpləˈmentri/), but their meanings are completely different. This blog post will help you get it right.
The Difference between Complimentary and Complementary
Complimentary (with an I) means 'flattering' or 'favourable':
✅ My teacher made some complimentary remarks about my English.
✅ The pianist's recording of Chopin's two concerti received a complimentary review from the country's most famous music critic.
✅ Everything I have heard about you and your work has been complimentary.
Complimentary also means 'free of charge':
✅ I have been given two complimentary tickets to the concert.
✅ Every participant will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne.
Complementary (with an E) is used to describe two different things that go well together:
✅ Our complementary skills and experiences are what make us a great team.
✅ The two universities will draw on their complementary strengths to develop and offer world-class degree programmes to students.
Tips for Remembering the Difference between Complimentary and Complementary
The spelling difference can act as a helpful mnemonic device. |
Examples from the Media
China's movie moguls see online video apps as complementary to cinemas. —South China Morning Post (2018)
Nearly a quarter of GPs said in a survey that they had used some form of complementary or alternative therapy. —The New Zealand Herald (2003)
Recommended Further Reading
Real-World Examples of Misuse
![]() |
1. The past participle written should be used to form the passive. (The letter was written to a friend by you.) 2. A complimentary close, also known as a complimentary closing, refers to the words that conventionally come before the writer's signature at the end of a letter or email, e.g. Yours sincerely and Yours faithfully. 3. A dangling participle is a participle (in this case, writing) that is unintentionally modifying the wrong noun or noun phrase (in this case, the complimentary ending) in a sentence. |
0 Comments