Grammatically Correct 3/15/05
A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors.
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901
Complement versus Compliment
by Candice Chovanec Melzow
Complement and compliment are often confused with one another because they are homophones. Homophones are words that are pronounced alike but have different spellings and meanings

Both complement and compliment can be used as nouns and verbs.

In its noun form, the word complement refers to something that completes a whole or the number needed to make up a whole.

Ex: The tea served as a complement to the pastries.
Ex: The farm runs with a full complement of two dozen workers.

In its verb form, the word complement refers to emphasizing the good qualities of another person or thing by adding something.

Ex: That purple shirt really complements the blue in your eyes.

In its noun form, the word compliment refers to a remark of praise or admiration.

Ex: The teacher gave Peggy a compliment on her writing style.

In its verb form, the word compliment refers to the act of praising someone or something.

Ex: Joan complimented the sales clerk for his excellent service.

Definitions

Complement (n)
1. Something or someone that completes, perfects, or makes up a whole.
2. The number or quantity needed to make up a whole.

Complement (v)
To emphasize the good qualities of another person or thing, especially by adding something that was needed.

Compliment (n)
A remark of praise or admiration.

Compliment (v)
To praise someone or something.

Definitions are adapted from The Concise American Heritage Dictionary and
The Longman Advanced American Dictionary.
Recommended Grammar Website of the Week
by Candice Chovanec Melzow

In addition to our website, we recommend the “Notorious Confusables” section of Capital Community College’s Guide to Grammar and Writing at http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious/notorious_frames.htm. This section of the site offers an alphabetized list of over 250 different homophones, which its writers have nicknamed “Notorious Confusables.” It also offers eight quizzes on homophones and displays immediate results for the user.

In addition to information on homophones, the home page for the website, available at http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/, also offers information for writers on a variety of other topics, including sentence level issues, paragraph development and grammar concerns.
Test Your Knowledge
by Candice Chovanec Melzow
Test your understanding of the homophones compliment and complement by choosing the correct word in each of the following sentences.

1. When he joined as a much-needed bass player, John acted as a (complement/compliment) to the band.

2. Jane’s boss is always giving her (complements/compliments) about the way that she answers the phone.

3. That scarf really (complements/compliments) Susan’s complexion.

4. Coach Miles (complemented/complimented) his team on a terrific win.

5. In order to meet customer demands, Sunny Corporation must use a full (complement/compliment) of 50 employees.

Answers

1. When he joined as a much-needed bass player, John acted as a complement to the band.

2. Jane’s boss is always giving her compliments about the way that she answers the phone.

3. That scarf really complements Susan’s complexion.

4. Coach Miles complimented his team on a terrific win.

5. In order to meet customer demands, Sunny Corportaion must use a full complement of 50 employees.

 

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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