Why not you ask? Because if your wine compliments the meal, it means that your wine is praising your meal!
Be aware of the spelling of these two words: complement and compliment. The meanings of these two words are very different.
Compliment – spelled with an i – means to praise.
Complement – spelled with an e – means to complete.
Check out the samples below:
Her boss complimented her work. = Her boss praised her work.
(Notice how compliment and praise are interchangeable.)
The new furniture complemented the office renovation. = The new furniture completed the office renovation.
(Notice how complement and complete are interchangeable.)
Here’s a trick:
• the word praise and compliment both have an i
• the word complete and complement both begin with comple-
So, next time you praise a colleague, make sure to use compliment, and next time you write that the wine completed the meal, be sure to use complement.
