Poll: Word usage geeks

[cricketwife]

Which is correct?

1.  Develop programs that compliment the curriculum and help students grow....

or

2.  Develop programs that complement the curriculum and help students grow...



I know the answer.  I just am so embarrassed because this is for a high level position in my department.  HR got it wrong and has published it and sent it to potential applicants with the wrong choice of compliment/complement.  I just want to make 100% sure that I'm right before I go to them again.  I told them about this error a few years ago - the last time that this position was open.  Argh.  It's so embarrassing.

[Deleted]

Complement

Right?

[pedanticwench]

com·ple·ment

/ˈkämpləmənt/

Noun
A thing that completes or brings to perfection.

Verb
Add to (something) in a way that enhances or improves it; make perfect.


Synonyms

noun.

supplement - addition - adjunct

verb.

complete - supplement

[jlt19]

Feb 1, 2013 16:36:19 GMT -5 v said:

Complement

Right?

That's what I said, but it was more of an educated guess vs. actually knowing. I don't think I'd notice the mistake if I accidentally typed it in a letter and I really don't think I'd notice it if was in an email I received.

[cricketwife]

Feb 1, 2013 16:39:00 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

Feb 1, 2013 16:36:19 GMT -5 v said:

Complement

Right?

That's what I said, but it was more of an educated guess vs. actually knowing. I don't think I'd notice the mistake if I accidentally typed it in a letter and I really don't think I'd notice it if was in an email I received.

Fair enough. But it's not just appearing in an emial.   It's part of the job description for a high ranking position at an academic institution.  I think it looks bad if anybody gets it wrong on a document available to the public...but we're a school for crying out loud!  We need to get it right!

[catbus]

Ugh, complement. This shouldn't even be debatable.
Edit: And I'm with you; it's embarrassing. I'd definitely notice. I don't hold a high-level position, but I'm hesitant to apply for jobs with grammatical errors in the posting. It does convey something about the organization.

[Deleted]

Yep, complement. It adds to it rather than saying nice things about it.

[wanderlustfoodie]

ComplEment

[WOT?*]

complEments.

This is an example of a program that compliments the curriculum: "Hey, yeah, you're a good looking curriculum. I bet you make all the students happy." Not the message you want to send.