Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse writers. I have found the following to be among them:
COMPLEMENTARY / COMPLIMENTARY
These two words often sound the same when spoken aloud, and no doubt that adds to the confusion.
Complementary is used to describe something that fills in, completes, or makes up for something that is lacking. [Remember that complementary has two E’s, and so does completes.]
I try to choose wines that are complementary to the food when planning my dinners.
Complimentary is used to describe expressions of admiration or praise as well as those who use such expressions [nice people tend to be complimentary, and both nice and complimentary contain the letter I].
My husband is always complimentary of my dinners.
Complimentary is also used to indicate that something is provided free of charge.
The restaurant where we recently celebrated our wedding anniversary presented us with a complimentary dessert in honor of the occasion.
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the following punny joke:
A man walks into a bar and orders a beer. The bartender sets the beer and a bowl of peanuts in front of the man and then stands silently before him polishing a glass.
Noticing that the bartender is not overly talkative, the man looks around for someone with whom to converse, but alas, he is the only customer in the bar at this time, and so he settles down to drink his beer alone.
“Hey, handsome,” says a female voice nearby. “Nice tie.”
The man glances up hopefully, but there is no one there except the bartender.
“Good haircut, too,” chimes in another voice.
Now the man stands up and whirls all the way around, but still he sees no one else in the bar except the bartender.
“Something wrong?” the bartender asks.
“No, I guess not,” the man replies. “I just thought I heard someone say something.”
“Oh, that,” the bartender says with a laugh. “It’s just the peanuts. They’re complimentary.”
© 2016 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.