When do I use "Course" and when do I use "Coarse"?

Talking about a study programme, route, or meal course? "Course". Talking about rough texture or rude behaviour? "Coarse".

What is the most common mistake with "Course" and "Coarse"?

"I took a coarse in marketing" is wrong: the study programme or route is "course". "The sandpaper was very course" is also wrong: the rough texture is "coarse".

How do I remember the difference between "Course" and "Coarse"?

"Course" contains "our", you take a course to improve yourself. "Coarse" ends in -arse like "sparse", rough and scattered, just like a coarse texture.

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Which one to use?Intermediatenounadjective

CoursevsCoarse

'Course' is a path, a subject you study, or a meal; 'coarse' means rough in texture or rude in manner.

Side-by-side comparison

Course

noun

"Course" has several meanings: an academic course, a dish in a meal, a route or trajectory, or the expression "of course".

She enrolled in an online course on data analysis.
Of course I'll help you with the presentation.
The ship changed course to avoid the storm.

Coarse

adjective

"Coarse" describes a rough or thick texture, or rude and vulgar behavior. "Coarse sand" = rough sand. "Coarse language" = crude language.

The fabric was too coarse for a formal shirt.
Use coarse salt to season the steak before grilling.
His coarse language made the meeting very uncomfortable.

Common mistake

•"I took a coarse in marketing" is wrong: the study programme or route is "course".
•"The sandpaper was very course" is also wrong: the rough texture is "coarse".

Trick to remember it

•"Course" contains "our", you take a course to improve yourself.
•"Coarse" ends in -arse like "sparse", rough and scattered, just like a coarse texture.

Quick rule

•Talking about a study programme, route, or meal course? "Course".
•Talking about rough texture or rude behaviour? "Coarse".

Did you know?

"Of course" comes from "in the course of things", what naturally follows the expected path of events. It condensed into an expression of obviousness over time. "Golf course", "obstacle course", "crash course": "course" has an extraordinary variety of uses. And "of course not" is one of the most polished negations in English: softer than a plain "no", more direct than "I'm afraid not".