English is a hard language to learn. One of the reasons it's so tough is because of words that are very similar in spelling and yet have different meanings. Today I thought we'd take a look at a pair of words that fit this description perfectly.
Words that sound the same but have different meanings are called homophones. I know, it's a weird name. The homophones we'll look at in this blog are compliment and complement. Tea and toast complement each other. Or should it be they compliment each other? If you've ever had a problem with these two words, as many humans do, I think I can be of help.
Complementary is an adjective that means "serving to complete or supply mutual needs: two or more parts that come together to make a better whole." Example: Certain colors complement each other while others clash and are displeasing to the eye. So going back to my tea and toast example in the previous paragraph, the correct word should be complement, not compliment,
Complimentary is also an adjective but this words means "flattering or favorable or given free as a courtesy." Example; The bed and breakfast in our town offers its guests complimentary tea and toast for breakfast.
Here's an easy way to remember the difference. When you want to describe something that is "complementary," two or more parts that work together well, think of the word "complete": "Complementary" things complete one another, and both have an "e" in their second syllable. "Complimentary," with an "i," means containing a "compliment," which is "an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration."
I sure hope that this short lesson on the homophones complimentary and complementary was useful to you.
After an entire day of pouring down rain yesterday, I have a bunch of things to get done today so this is an unusually short blog for me. And please don't forget that tomorrow is Wednesday and that means a visit from none other than the Dharma Frog, my wise and wonderful teacher. Please "hop" back by then.
PEACE.
Words that sound the same but have different meanings are called homophones. I know, it's a weird name. The homophones we'll look at in this blog are compliment and complement. Tea and toast complement each other. Or should it be they compliment each other? If you've ever had a problem with these two words, as many humans do, I think I can be of help.
Complementary is an adjective that means "serving to complete or supply mutual needs: two or more parts that come together to make a better whole." Example: Certain colors complement each other while others clash and are displeasing to the eye. So going back to my tea and toast example in the previous paragraph, the correct word should be complement, not compliment,
Complimentary is also an adjective but this words means "flattering or favorable or given free as a courtesy." Example; The bed and breakfast in our town offers its guests complimentary tea and toast for breakfast.
Here's an easy way to remember the difference. When you want to describe something that is "complementary," two or more parts that work together well, think of the word "complete": "Complementary" things complete one another, and both have an "e" in their second syllable. "Complimentary," with an "i," means containing a "compliment," which is "an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration."
I sure hope that this short lesson on the homophones complimentary and complementary was useful to you.
After an entire day of pouring down rain yesterday, I have a bunch of things to get done today so this is an unusually short blog for me. And please don't forget that tomorrow is Wednesday and that means a visit from none other than the Dharma Frog, my wise and wonderful teacher. Please "hop" back by then.
PEACE.
Nordquist, Richard. "Complementary vs. Complimentary: How to Choose the Right Word." ThoughtCo, Mar. 10, 2019, thoughtco.com/complementary-and-complimentary-1689348.
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