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E or I for That Kind Remark?
Posted by Editormum on Friday, 14 October 2005 in Uncategorized | ∞
When someone says something nice about you, is it a compliment or a complement? These two words are pronounced so similarly that they are frequently misused. Let’s set the record straight.
A compliment is a kind remark about someone. Mike’s comments on Sally’s work were the nicest compliment she has ever received from him.
A complement is a completion or balance of something. My friend’s level-headedness complements me well — since I tend to be too visionary and ambitious in my planning, she can keep my expectations realistic.
This is one of those mistakes that no one will notice in your speech, but in your writing will glare like a halogen bulb in a cave. Be careful with it.