“Complemented With” or “Complemented By” – Preposition Guide

While nouns or adjectives can be every story’s main star, there are side characters like prepositions that complete the plot. But, we always overlook side characters, even if they play more essential roles than audiences imagine. Prepositions work the same way! One change of preposition can change the entire story.

Is It ‘Complemented With’ Or ‘Complemented By?’

Both ‘complemented with’ and ‘complemented by’ are grammatically correct. Both phrases mean making something better by combining it with another thing. Both also follow a passive voice construction. Because of this, though both are correct, they are rarely used in conversations or writing. Nevertheless, both phrases are acceptable.

Both follow the same pattern of having a passive voice. If the original sentence is ‘The music complements Tracy’s voice,’ in passive voice, it becomes ‘Tracy’s voice was complemented by the music’ or ‘Tracy’s voice was complemented with the music.’ While both are grammatically correct, they are rarely used in conversational English since most people stick to using the active voice.

What Does ‘Complemented With’ And ‘Complemented By’ Mean?

We use both ‘complemented with’ and ‘complemented by’ to express that something is made better by combining it with another thing or that two things are better together than one thing only. Both phrases are also in the passive voice, making sentences passive too.

Specifically, we use ‘complemented with’ when ‘complemented’ is used in a way that two things combined, complete, or make perfect together. Then, we use ‘complemented by’ when ‘complemented’ is used in a way that we make one main thing better by combining it with something else.

Examples Of How To Use ‘Complemented With’ In A Sentence

Below are examples of how to use ‘complemented with’ in a sentence.

1. The already great-tasting food was complemented with good music, too. It was such a fun and welcoming restaurant, too. Let’s go there again next time.
2. The fresh strawberries were complemented with whipped cream. It tasted so much better than I imagined. Before, I thought strawberries and cream would not work well together.
3. To better assess the applicants, they revised the application process. Now, the applicant write-up is complemented with an individual interview.
4. The choir’s voice was complemented with the music perfectly. The music and the choir made such a heavenly sound together. I want to hear their performance over and over again.
5. The second-time attendees were complemented with the first-time attendees. The two have different dynamics and sets of knowledge, but weirdly, the two have great dynamics together.
6. The room we reserved was complemented with a breakfast buffet. It’s the only thing I’ve been looking forward to, since yesterday. I love food buffets a lot, in case you missed that.
7. Their study was complemented with other research that have the same results as them. They had reliable references throughout the paper as well.
8. I bought a food set for both of us. The vendor said that the burger should be complemented with soda. So, I bought sodas for us, as well.
9. Luigi’s energy is complemented with Mario’s energy. They’re absolute opposites, but that’s what makes them funny and engaging to watch.
10. Physical hazards are always complemented with socio-economic hazards. It means that any possible disaster affects socio-economic factors, even the distribution of goods and the like.

Examples Of How To Use ‘Complemented By In A Sentence

Below are examples of how to use ‘complemented by’ in a sentence.

1. I had a great time at the restaurant. They served great food and the service was great. The already great-tasting main course was complemented by the dessert, too.
2. Before, I thought peaches and yogurt would not work well together. But, on the plate the waiter gave me, the fresh peaches were complemented by a cup of yogurt. I tried it, and it was heavenly.
3. The written questions are complemented by an individual oral question and answer portion. They revised the midterm process to better assess the students.
4. The singer and the live band have great chemistry on stage. The singer’s voice was complemented by the live band perfectly. I’m addicted with their performance.
5. The sophomores were complemented by freshmen. The two groups can’t relate to each other’s inside jokes and references, but weirdly, they have shown good chemistry together, especially during the games.
6. Our stay in the resort was complemented by a free water activity package. It’s the only thing I’ve been looking forward to, since yesterday. I’ve always wanted to try out jet surfing.
7. We had an experiment that was complemented by other studies of evidence. However, we had different results from the other sources. So, I suggested that we do it again.
8. I bought the package of clothes instead. The saleslady insisted on getting the set, telling me that the shirt should be complemented by the perfect bottoms. I gave in and bought it.
9. They’re absolutely the same in terms of personality, that’s why Mina’s energy is complemented by Sari’s energy really well. They’re funny together.
10. Every risk is complemented by a consequence. It’s up to you to determine whether that consequence is worth risking.

Are ‘Complemented With’ And ‘Complemented By’ Interchangeable?

‘Complemented with’ and ‘complemented by’ are interchangeable. The two phrases have the same meaning and they follow the same tone, too, making them easily exchangeable with one another. However, given a situation or sentence, there is still a more appropriate phrase to use. However, both are correct anyhow.

Despite being interchangeable, ‘complemented with’ is best used when ‘complemented’ is used in a way that two things combined, complete, or make perfect together. On the other hand, ‘complemented by’ is used in a way that one main thing was made better by combining it with something else.

Is ‘Complemented With’ Or ‘Complemented By’ Used The Most?

According to the Google Ngram Viewer, ‘complemented by’ is used more often than ‘complemented with.’ It is probably because ‘complemented by’ follows more structurally, the passive tone. That said, it may help in better understanding the sentence. Thus, the more frequent use of the phrase.

It can also be that most speakers interpret ‘complemented by’ in a way that one main thing was made better by combining it with something else. In that case, ‘complemented by’ would be most appropriate.

Can ‘Complemented’ Be Used With Other Prepositions?

While many believe that we can use other prepositions with ‘complemented,’ there isn’t more. ‘Complemented by’ and ‘complemented with’ still contain the most accurate and appropriate prepositions given the word. Other prepositions, like ‘complemented to’ or ‘complemented from,’ are not acceptable, especially for formal English.

It is also important to note that ‘complemented’ is a past participle. Thus, the appropriate prepositions are those that express in a passive tone, like ‘complemented.’ Among all passive voice prepositions, ‘with’ and ‘by’ remain the most appropriate choice.