With Compliments From vs. With Compliments Of – Which is Correct?
“With compliments of” is the traditional phrase for something given free as a courtesy, especially on cards, menus, or business stationery. “With compliments from” is also grammatical and clearly identifies the giver, but sounds less conventional in the fixed expression. Use “with compliments of [giver]” in most formal contexts.
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With Compliments From or Of – Which Is Correct?
Both “with compliments of” and “with compliments from” can be correct, but they have slightly different levels of conventionality. “With compliments of”, often written as “with the compliments of,” is the established expression used when a person or organization provides something as a courtesy.
“With compliments from” is also grammatically acceptable. It emphasizes the source or sender and may sound more natural when identifying a specific person, group, or department. For example, a gift may be labeled “With compliments from the events team.”
In traditional business correspondence, hotel notes, restaurant messages, and complimentary gifts, “with compliments of” is generally the safest and most idiomatic choice. Do not confuse compliments, meaning polite praise or a courteous gesture, with complements, meaning things that complete or improve one another.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use “of” when you are naming the person or organization responsible for the courtesy in a traditional label: “With compliments of the manager.” Use “from” when you want to stress where the item or message came from: “With compliments from our London office.”
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| with compliments of | Fixed prepositional phrase | Provided as a courtesy by a named person or organization | With compliments of the hotel. |
| with compliments from | Fixed prepositional phrase | Sent or provided courteously by a named source | With compliments from the design team. |
How to Use “With Compliments Of”
“With compliments of” is a formal or semi-formal expression meaning “provided by,” “given courtesy of,” or “presented as a gift by.” It commonly appears on complimentary drinks, welcome gifts, promotional materials, business cards, restaurant notes, and formal letters.
The phrase is often followed by the name of a person, business, department, or institution. The slightly longer version, “with the compliments of,” is also correct and may sound more traditional or polished.
Example 1: The fruit basket was sent with compliments of the hotel manager.
Example 2: Please enjoy this dessert with the compliments of the chef.
Example 3: The conference program was provided with compliments of our principal sponsor.
How to Use “With Compliments From”
“With compliments from” is a valid phrase that focuses more directly on the giver or source. It is especially useful when the sender wants to make the origin of a gift, message, or service unmistakable.
This version is often less traditional than “with compliments of,” but it is clear and natural in many modern contexts. It may be preferable when the named source is a team, office, family, or individual sending something directly.
Example 1: The welcome hamper arrived with compliments from the conference organizers.
Example 2: Please accept these flowers with compliments from everyone at the office.
Example 3: The complimentary tickets were sent with compliments from the festival committee.
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between courtesy language, source phrases, and similar-looking words makes this expression easier to use accurately.
- Compliments: This plural noun can mean expressions of praise or polite courtesy. In “with compliments,” it refers to a courteous gesture or complimentary provision.
- Complements: This different word refers to people or things that complete, balance, or enhance something else. A side dish may complement a meal, but it is not a “compliment” in this phrase.
- Prepositions: The words of and from introduce different relationships. “Of” presents the provider in a traditional formula, while “from” highlights the source or origin.
- Courtesy expressions: Phrases such as “courtesy of,” “provided by,” and “as a gift from” express a similar idea in more direct language.
Examples from Media and Literature
The expression appears in many familiar social, commercial, and fictional settings. These examples illustrate how the two prepositions can work in context:
- Restaurant scenes: A server may announce that a dessert is “with compliments of the chef,” indicating that the kitchen is providing it free of charge.
- Hotel dramas and travel programs: A welcome bottle may carry a card reading “With compliments of the hotel.”
- Business news and corporate events: Promotional gifts may be described as being sent “with compliments from the sponsoring company.”
- Historical fiction: A character might receive a formal note saying, “With the compliments of Lord Ashton,” reflecting traditional social etiquette.
- Television and film dialogue: A character may say, “The first round is with compliments of the house,” meaning the establishment is paying for it.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence. In some cases, both phrases may be grammatically possible, but choose the more natural option for the context.
- The complimentary champagne was provided ______ the hotel.
- These flowers were sent ______ our entire team.
- Please enjoy this appetizer ______ the chef.
- The gift basket arrived ______ the conference organizers.
- The formal card read, “With ______ the director.”
Answer Key
- with compliments of
- with compliments from
- with compliments of
- with compliments from
- the compliments of
With Compliments Of Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| courtesy of | Provided or paid for by someone as a courtesy |
| provided by | Supplied by a person or organization |
| a gift from | Given voluntarily by a particular source |
| presented by | Formally given, sponsored, or introduced by someone |
With Compliments From Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| sent by | Dispatched by a particular person or organization |
| from | Identifying the origin or source of something |
| courtesy of | Given or supplied as a polite favor |
| on behalf of | Sent or presented as the representative action of another person or group |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “with compliments of” grammatically correct?
Yes. “With compliments of” is a well-established formal expression meaning “provided by” or “courtesy of.” The version “with the compliments of” is also correct and slightly more traditional.
Question 2: Is “with compliments from” correct?
Yes. “With compliments from” is grammatically acceptable and emphasizes the person, group, or organization sending or providing something. It is often more conversational or specific than the traditional “with compliments of.”
Question 3: Should I use “compliments” or “complements”?
Use compliments when referring to praise or a courteous gift. Use complements when referring to things that complete or enhance each other, such as colors, skills, or food pairings.
Conclusion
Both “with compliments of” and “with compliments from” are valid, but “with compliments of” is the traditional choice for formal notes, complimentary items, and business language. Choose “from” when you want to emphasize the sender. Pro Tip: Using the conventional phrase in professional correspondence helps your writing appear polished, precise, and trustworthy.
