Difference between revisions of "Complement - compliment"
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| − | + | '''Complement''' and '''compliment''' {{Bridges}} Both are pronounced {{IPA|ˈkɒm plə (''or'' ɪ) mənt}} | |
| − | *A '''compliment''', or a '''compliment'''ary remark, is something you say to someone ( | + | * A '''compliment''', or a '''compliment'''ary remark, is something you say to someone ('pay someone a '''compliment'''') when you want to praise or congratulate them or to express admiration: 'What a nice dress!', 'That's very clever', 'You played very well', etc. |
| − | + | :Sometimes '''complimentary''' means 'free': e.g. '''complimentary''' tickets. These are things given because of the high esteem in which the giver holds the recipient. (Or not - sometimes they are merely an advertising gimmick!) | |
| − | *A '''complement''', or a '''complement'''ary thing, is something that completes something else: e. | + | * A '''complement''', or a '''complement'''ary thing, is something that completes something else (a clue to remembering may be found in the spellings: both start '''compl<big>e</big>-'''). For example, a ship's '''complement''' is her crew; one might say that an assignment has a '''complement'''ary Guide to experimental techniques; yin is '''complement'''ary to yang. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | In [[grammar]] a [[complement]] is one of the structural [[elements of a clause]]. See [[Complement (grammar)]] for more detailed information. | |
| − | [[Category:spelling common errors]] [[category:homophones]] | + | |
| + | [[Category:spelling common errors]] | ||
| + | [[category:homophones]] | ||
| + | [[Category:etymology]] | ||
| + | [[Category:disambig]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:57, 19 October 2017
Complement and compliment form one of the sets of homophones listed by the then Poet Laureate Robert Bridges.
(For more, see Bridges homophones). AWE has a category listing our articles on each of these. Both are pronounced IPA: /ˈkɒm plə (or ɪ) mənt/
- A compliment, or a complimentary remark, is something you say to someone ('pay someone a compliment') when you want to praise or congratulate them or to express admiration: 'What a nice dress!', 'That's very clever', 'You played very well', etc.
- Sometimes complimentary means 'free': e.g. complimentary tickets. These are things given because of the high esteem in which the giver holds the recipient. (Or not - sometimes they are merely an advertising gimmick!)
- A complement, or a complementary thing, is something that completes something else (a clue to remembering may be found in the spellings: both start comple-). For example, a ship's complement is her crew; one might say that an assignment has a complementary Guide to experimental techniques; yin is complementary to yang.
In grammar a complement is one of the structural elements of a clause. See Complement (grammar) for more detailed information.
