Commonly confused words

course vs. coarse

  course (route, path, or direction) The ship had to change course to avoid the storm. We are on course for the river. The plane set course for Bermuda. UK (a series of lessons on a certain subject) I have completed a course in first aid. He wants to take …

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stationary vs. stationery

stationary  adjective (not moving; static) The escalator was stationary, and we walked up. A van rammed a stationary car. The traffic was stationary for half an hour. The population remained almost stationary for years.   stationery  noun (materials used for writing and for using in an office) My father had …

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complacent vs. complaisant

  complacent  disapproving (too pleased or satisfied with a situation so that you no longer try to improve) I am not complacent and know that there is always room for improvement. You should not get complacent about your achievements.   complaisant  formal (willing to please others; agreeable) Mike has a pretty and complaisant wife. …

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grizzly vs. grisly

  grizzly (large brown bear) A grizzly is not a social creature. Grizzly bears live in North America and parts of Russia.   grisly (causing great fear or disgust) It was a grisly story. The police were investigating a grisly murder.   envocabulary.com

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censure vs. censor

  censure  formal (to criticize strongly and publicly) We cannot censure him until we know all the facts. The manager censured him for not reporting the problem.   censor (to remove parts of a book, movie, etc. that are considered offensive, politically dangerous, or morally harmful) The Ministry of Defense censors the …

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