Sunday, September 16, 2012

Complement vs. Compliment: How to Remember the Difference



Annamaria writes:
Hi Snarky. I saw this in a brochure and I think there's a mistake in the caption. Can you please explain complement vs. compliment? I can never remember which is which. Thank you! 

Lots of people confuse these homophones, which are words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings.

Definitions:
  • complement (v.) - to make complete; to fill out; to show off. That color complements your complexion nicely. The team's new wide receiver really complements the quarterback's throwing game.
  • compliment (v.) - to make an admiring remark. She complimented his wavy hair.

Nifty Mnemonics:
  • Visualize the first five letters of complement and its meaning. To complement makes something complete.
  • Remember, to compliment puts someone in the limelight. 

Correction:
  • With effective space planning, your Dallas home will not only create a tasteful environment but one that complements your lifestyle.

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  5. Both of those mnemonics could apply to either word; that's why I always have to look it up. Nice has an i; compliements are nice. When my shirt complements my tie, that's nice and also puts me in the limelight. Even when you compliment someone, you are completing them when they may feel down. No one has come up with a mnemonic that I will remember in three months time to forget which is which. I understand there used to be not difference; why can't we just go back to one single spelling?

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