compliment

[retro]

Hi guys

I read the following:
"Our BBQ chefs will be grillin’ up hamburgers and hotdogs! We are in need of several side dishes to compliment our main course."

I was wondering whether my examples are OK.
1. They're preparing to compliment a birthday party for their friend.
2. Josh sent Susie a bunch of red roses to compliment his love.
3. The actor likes his hometown so much he complimented $ 1 million to the earthquake fund when Springfield was hit.

[2006]

The word you are asking about is complement, not "compliment".
Complement, noun: something that completes or makes perfect. A nice wine is a complement to a good meal.
verb: to serve as a complement to, to complete. (the BBQ sentence)

Your examples are not good.

1...They're preparing to (have)(hold) a birthday party......
2............red roses to express his love.
3............he donated $1 million..........

[retro]

Originally Posted by 2006

The word you are asking about is complement, not "compliment".
Complement, noun: something that completes or makes perfect. A nice wine is a complement to a good meal.
verb: to serve as a complement to, to complete. (the BBQ sentence)

Your examples are not good.

1...They're preparing to (have)(hold) a birthday party......
2............red roses to express his love.
3............he donated $1 million..........

hm...That quote has "compliment"; then it may be a misspelling.

Anyway, doesn't "compliment" fix the context in my sentences at all if it means to present to (someone) as an act of politeness or respect? If not, would you come up with a few examples?

Thank you

[Barb_D]

No, not really. Are you looking for examples that use compliment or complement?

I'd like to compliment you on that lovely dress. That particular shade of blue complements your eyes.

He paid you a big compliment when he spoke about you in front of all the other managers. He also said that having you on his team would really complement the talent he has already assembled.

[not a teacher]

[retro]

Originally Posted by Barb_D

No, not really. Are you looking for examples that use compliment or complement?

I'd like to compliment you on that lovely dress. That particular shade of blue complements your eyes.

He paid you a big compliment when he spoke about you in front of all the other managers. He also said that having you on his team would really complement the talent he has already assembled.

[not a teacher]

So, you can "compliment" someone on something (like you said, to compliment you on that lovely dress...), or someone's quality, appearance (a woman's looks - hair, clothes, eyes, smile etc. (Ex. He complimented his date's eyes). Is that right?
Also, what can you present with a token of esteem? (That's the other meaning of "compliment").

Originally Posted by Barb_D

I'd like to compliment you on that lovely dress. That particular shade of blue complements your eyes.

Can we replace "complement" here with "set off" without changing the meaning?


Are these examples fine?

1. a. Our walk on the beach was complemented by a delicious dinner in the new restaurant.
b. The delicious dinner in the new restaurant complemented our walk on the beach.

2. His big serve complemented Pete Sampras' awesome play.

3. Tom Hanks had had several big roles previously, such as The bachelor party, The money pit, Big and Philadelphia. Forrest Gump complemented his fame or it was Forrest Gump which complemented his fame.