Grammar Tips & Articles »

compliment, complement

This Grammar.com article is about compliment, complement — enjoy your reading!

30 sec read
1,681 Views
  Ed Good  —  Grammar Tips
Font size:

A compliment is a statement of praise or good wishes. A complement is something that goes well with another or completes it. In these meanings, the words act as nouns.

Both words can also be used as verbs. To compliment means "to say something nice, to congratulate" and to complement means "to go well with something."

Complement also has specific meanings in English grammar, math, music, healthcare, and sailing. In grammar, a subject complement is a noun following the verb to be or a linking verb.

Example: She was complimented for choosing the darker end tables as perfect complements to the sofa and chair.

Rate this article:

     

Have a discussion about this article with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this article to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "compliment, complement." Grammar.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.grammar.com/compliment-complement>.

    Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

    Checkout our entire collection of

    Grammar Articles

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Browse Grammar.com

    #ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 

    Free Writing Tool:

    Instant
    Grammar Checker

    Improve your grammar, vocabulary, style, and writing — all for FREE!


    Quiz

    Are you a grammar master?

    »
    Choose the sentence with correct use of the possessive pronoun:
    A They are going on vacation with them.
    B He gave the gift to her.
    C The book is hers, not yours.
    D Our house is bigger than theirs.

    Improve your writing now:

    Download Grammar eBooks

    It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. After all, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and instant messages.