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Preposition after adjective

Complimentary to, about, or of?

Complimentary about and complimentary of are standard in different meanings. Complimentary to is uncommon as a fixed adjective pattern.

Quick answer

Which preposition works with complimentary?

Use complimentary about when praising a topic or person. Use complimentary of when someone's words express praise. Complimentary to is uncommon in this meaning and often sounds unnatural.

She was complimentary about the new design.
His review was complimentary of the restaurant.
The article was highly complimentary about the coach.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
complimentary about + topic/person

Praising someone or something

Use complimentary about to describe positive comments on a subject or person.

The manager was complimentary about the team's performance.
Critics were complimentary about the actor's role.
2
complimentary of + person/thing

Describing praise in speech or writing

Use complimentary of when speech, comments, or behaviour express admiration or praise.

Her remarks were complimentary of the organisers.
The review was complimentary of the hotel's service.
3
complimentary + noun

Meaning free of charge

Complimentary can also mean given for free, usually before a noun.

complimentary drinks were available in the lobby.
complimentary tickets were offered to guests.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
complimentary about
She was complimentary about the presentation.
expressing praise about a topic or person
complimentary of
The article was complimentary of the new policy.
containing or expressing praise
complimentary to
The report was complimentary to the director.
This is uncommon for praise; complimentary about or complimentary of is usually more natural.
complimentary with
Guests received complimentary drinks with dinner.
Here complimentary means free of charge, not praising.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using complimentary to for praise

To is not the usual preposition after complimentary when talking about praise.

✕ She was complimentary to the proposal. ✓ She was complimentary about the proposal.

Confusing complimentary and complementary

Complimentary means praising or free. Complementary means matching or completing something.

✕ The colours are complimentary. ✓ The colours are complementary.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The journalist was very ___ the new policy.
2. Her comments were highly ___ the research team.
3. Hotel guests received ___ breakfast.

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Frequently asked questions

Is complimentary about correct?

Yes. It is common when talking about praise or positive comments.

What does complimentary of mean?

It describes speech or writing that expresses admiration or praise.

Can complimentary mean free?

Yes. Complimentary drinks or tickets are provided without charge.

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