compliment/complement.

[rosamundjohn]

can anyone supply me with 2 simple sentences to define the difference?

[dr b]

To say that a couple complement each other is quite a compliment! (yes, that's just one.)

[jrtv]

Brill Answer dr b.

[Buenchico]

I compliment Dr B on his concise answer. (My answer complements his).

[rosamundjohn]

That was quick! You mean that complEment in the sense of complete. if something is free then it is complimentary?

[rosamundjohn]

Any more?

[Buenchico]

Compliment (as a verb) means to 'present [something] as a mark of courtesy'. So a 'complimentary ticket' is literally one which is given as a mark of courtesy to the recipient. In practice, that means that it's a freebie!
;-)

[jno]

yes, it's like 'Have a free ticket, with my compliments.'

[boxtops]

I think you have it, rosamund - complimentary is free, complementary is additional to complete something (those shoes really complement that dress).

[jno]

and as you say, you can remember them because complEment is vaguely similar to complEte.

[DTCwordfan]

and there we are, rosamund, compliments to you for asking the question and, in doing so, complementing your knowledge cells.

[JonnyBoy12]

I would like to give you some complimentary advice on this topic but I usually have to charge for my advice.