Versus

“Complementary” vs. “Complimentary”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Versus

I often see these two adjectives confused.

Problem:
The adjectives “complementary” and “complimentary” are not synonyms.

Explanation:
The adjective “complementary” means forms a complement, and a “complement” is something that completes.

The adjective “complimentary” means expressing or of the nature of a compliment, and a “compliment” is related to the word “comply” and is an expression of praise.

Therefore:

  • “John has complementary dishes.” — spelled with an “e” — means that John has dishes that complete or match one another;
  • “John has complimentary dishes.” — spelled with an “i” — means that John has dishes that he got as a gift.

A simple way to distinguish “complementary” from “complimentary” is to remember that “complementary” and “complete” both begin with “comple-“.

Solution:
Use “complementary” when you are talking about someone or something that completes someone or something else. Use “complimentary” when you are talking about praise or a gift.

“All ready” vs. “Already”

Adjectives, Adverbs, Versus

I sometimes see “all ready” where “already” is required.

Problem:
“All ready” is an adjectival phrase whereas “already” is an adverb.

Explanation:
The adjectival phrase “all ready” means entirely ready.

For example, “He was all ready to leave for Argentina.” means “He was entirely ready to leave for Argentina.”

The adverb “already” means either previously or now or so soon.

For example, “He already had left for Argentina.” means “He previously had left for Argentina.”

And “He is already here in Argentina.” means “He is now here in Argentina.”.

Solution:
Use “all ready” when you mean entirely ready. Use “already” when you mean previously or now or so soon.

“Wood” vs. “Wooden”

Adjectives, Nouns, Versus

I wondered the other day whether both of these words are adjectives.

Problem:
One of them looks more like an adjective than the other one does.

Explanation:
The primary definition of “wood” as an adjective is made of wood.

The primary definition of the adjective “wooden” is made of wood.

The secondary definition of “wood” as an adjective is wooden.

The secondary definition of the adjective “wooden” is wood.

In other words, “wood” as an adjective is interchangeable with “wooden”, despite the fact that “wooden” looks more like an adjective than does “wood” (which also is a noun).

Solution:
Don’t worry about which word to use as an adjective; they mean the same thing.