Differences between Complement and Compliment

Comparison Article

The user wants a Wikipedia-style article comparing "Complement" and "Compliment".
The article needs to be around 500 words and strictly avoid AI writing patterns as detailed in the extensive guidelines provided.
The structure should include an opening paragraph, a comparison table, and other relevant sections, all with inline citations in MediaWiki format.

**Plan:**
1. **Introduction:** Define "complement" and "compliment," highlighting that they are homophones which causes confusion.
2. **Etymology Section:** Briefly explain their shared Latin root and how their meanings diverged.
3. **Comparison Table:** Create a table comparing key aspects: Meaning, Part of Speech, Etymology, and Example Sentence.
4. **Usage in Grammar Section:** Dedicate a section to the specific grammatical meaning of "complement" (subject/object complement) as this is a key, distinct usage.
5. **Mnemonics/Memory Aids Section:** Provide simple tricks to help remember the difference, like linking the 'e' in complement to 'complete' and the 'i' in compliment to 'praise' or 'I'.
6. **Citations:** Add inline citations throughout the text using the `<ref>` tag, drawing from the search results.
7. **Review:** Read through the entire article to ensure it is neutral, encyclopedic, avoids all AI tells from the provided list (e.g., no promotional language, no superficial analyses, no overuse of conjunctions), and meets the word count.

**Constraint Checklist & Confidence Score:**
1. Neutral, encyclopedic tone: Yes
2. Strictly avoid AI tells: Yes. This will require careful wording and structure, avoiding common LLM phrases and patterns.
3. Real sources and facts: Yes, using the provided search results.
4. MediaWiki inline citations: Yes.
5. Comparison table (4-10 rows): Yes.
6. Avoid ALL patterns: Yes. This is the main challenge.
7. Factual and neutral tone: Yes.
8. Simple wikitext: Yes.
9. Relevant comparison table: Yes.
10. 500 words: Yes, this is a reasonable target for the topic.

Confidence Score: 5/5 - The request is clear, and I have sufficient information from the search results to create the article while adhering to the strict negative constraints.

Strategizing complete. I will now proceed with generating the response based on this plan.== Complement vs. Compliment ==

Complement and compliment are homophones—words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings and spellings. This similarity in sound often leads to their confusion in writing. A complement is something that completes or enhances another thing, while a compliment is an expression of praise or admiration. Both words can function as either a noun or a verb.

Although their modern meanings are distinct, both words derive from the Latin complēre, meaning "to complete". Complement entered English more directly from the Latin complementum ("that which fills up or completes"). Compliment took a more complex route, coming to English through French and Italian from the Spanish cumplimiento, which referred to fulfilling the formalities of courtesy.

Comparison Table

Category	Complement	Compliment
Core Meaning	To complete, enhance, or perfect something else.	To praise, admire, or congratulate.
Part of Speech	Noun or verb.	Noun or verb.
Etymology	From Latin complementum ("that which completes").	Via French, Italian, and Spanish, from Latin complēre ("to fulfill duties").
Noun Example	The wine is a perfect complement to the meal.	She received many compliments on her speech.
Verb Example	The scarf complements her outfit.	He complimented the chef on the dinner.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Complement and Compliment

Usage in Grammar

The word complement has a specific function in English grammar. A complement is a word, phrase, or clause that is required to complete the meaning of a given expression. Unlike a modifier or adjunct, which adds optional information, a complement is a necessary part of the sentence structure.

There are two common types:

• Subject complement: Follows a linking verb (like is, seems, becomes) and describes or renames the subject.

  Example: He is a doctor. ("A doctor" is a complement that renames the subject "He".)

• Object complement: Follows a direct object and describes or renames it.

  Example: They named their dog Shadow. ("Shadow" is a complement that renames the object "dog".)

Memory Aids

A simple way to remember the difference is to associate the middle vowel of each word with a related term.

• Complement helps complete something.
• Compliment is a form of praise. Another way to remember this is that "I like to receive compliments".