Select the most appropriate homonym of the underlined word to fill in the blank. He was complimented for his appearance. His shirt _____________ his trousers perfectly.
complemented
Understanding Homonyms: Complimented vs. Complemented
This question asks us to choose the correct word to fill in the blank, focusing on the concept of homonyms. Homonyms are words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
The first sentence tells us, "He was complimented for his appearance." The word "complimented" comes from the verb "compliment," which means to praise or express admiration for someone or something.
The second sentence is, "His shirt _____________ his trousers perfectly." We need a word that fits the context of clothing items working well together, specifically meaning that the shirt enhanced or completed the look of the trousers. The word needed should be a homonym of "complimented" and fit the meaning.
Analyzing the Options
Let's examine the given options:
- competed: This word means to strive against others to achieve something. It sounds completely different from "complimented" and does not fit the meaning of clothing matching.
- complement: This word, as a verb, means to complete, enhance, or make perfect. As a noun, it is something that completes or enhances something else. While this is a homonym of "compliment," the blank requires a past tense verb to match the structure of the sentence ("His shirt _______ his trousers").
- commented: This word means to give an opinion or explanation. It sounds different from "complimented" and does not fit the meaning related to clothing matching.
- complemented: This is the past tense of the verb "complement." It means completed or enhanced something in the past. This word is a homonym of "complimented" (same pronunciation) but has a different spelling and meaning (to complete or enhance vs. to praise). This meaning perfectly fits the context of a shirt enhancing or working well with trousers.
The sentence structure "His shirt __________ his trousers perfectly" requires a past tense verb. Both "complimented" and "complemented" are past tense verbs and sound alike. However, their meanings are different:
- Complimented: received praise.
- Complemented: completed or enhanced.
In the context of clothing, a shirt makes the trousers look better or completes the outfit. Therefore, the word needed is "complemented."
Explanation of the Correct Answer
The correct word to fill the blank is "complemented". This is the past tense verb form of "complement", which means to complete or enhance something. The sentence "His shirt complemented his trousers perfectly" means the shirt made the trousers look better or completed the look of the outfit. This is a perfect example of using the correct homonym based on context.
Revision Table: Key Terms
| Term | Meaning | Example Context |
|---|---|---|
| Homonym | Words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. | complement and compliment are homonyms. |
| Compliment (verb) | To praise or admire someone/something. | She complimented his artwork. |
| Complement (verb) | To complete or enhance something. | The accessories complemented her dress. |
| Complimented (past tense) | Received praise. | He was complimented on his speech. |
| Complemented (past tense) | Completed or enhanced something. | The colours complemented each other nicely. |
Additional Information on Homonyms and Word Usage
Understanding homonyms is crucial for clear communication in English. Mistakes with homonyms like "compliment" and "complement" are common but can change the entire meaning of a sentence.
- Remember that a compliment is about praise (think "I like your outfit!"), while a complement is about things working well together or completing something (think "That scarf complements your coat").
- Another pair of common homonyms is "there," "their," and "they're." Each has a distinct meaning and usage.
- Paying attention to the context of a sentence is the best way to determine which homonym is appropriate. Ask yourself what meaning the sentence is trying to convey.
Practicing with fill-in-the-blank questions like this one helps solidify your understanding of these tricky word pairs.
Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
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