“THE CHEESE REALLY COMPLIMENTED THE SOUP.”
Can you spot the problem here? That’s right! Compliment is used incorrectly. The correct word to use in this instance is complement.
COMPLIMENT: an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration.
COMPLEMENT: something that completes or makes perfect.
If you use compliment, the story goes a little like this:
Cheese: Hey, Soup. You’re, uh… you’re looking very nice today. You taste great, too.
Soup: Why, Cheese, I’m flattered! Thank you!
If you use complement, the story goes like this:
The savory, salty cheese works well with the sweetness of the soup, creating a balance.
Unless you’ve got a bunch of magical, chattering foods, your cheese should never be complimenting your soup. Now I hope you’ll all remember this little cheese story before you decide which form to use.
REMEMBER: Just because they sound the same doesn’t mean they have the same definitions!
*All definitions from dictionary.com
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6 Responses to “Grammar Bit #14.”
Love this. 🙂
Thank you so much! This is so helpful!
You’re welcome! :]
I’m planning to show this to a few people who don’t get it when I say there’s a difference between the two! Thanks for explaining it all so clearly :).
Haha, yay! Thanks, Liz. :]
Of course there’s a difference!
This is hilariously informative. 😀