~contemplate~: May be used in the sense of _plan_, _intend_, but unless the matter in question be somewhat doubtful and involves further thoughtful consideration, it is better to say _intend_ or _propose_.
~contemptible~, ~contemptibly~, ~contemptuous~, ~contemptuously~: Discriminate carefully between these words. A _contemptible_ person is one deserving of contempt as for meanness or vileness; _contemptibly_ means “in a contemptible manner” or “in a manner deserving of contempt.” A _contemptuous_ person is “a disdainful person.” One who speaks _contemptuously_ of another speaks of him with scorn or disdain.
~continual~, ~continuous~: _Continual_ implies the repeated renewal of an act; _continuous_ means its unceasing continuity. The following sentence will serve to illustrate the correct use of these words; “_Continual_ interruptions impede _continuous_ work.”
~controller~, derived from the French _contre rôle_ and indicating a person whose office it is to keep a counter roll or check in the accounts of others, should not properly be spelt _comptroller_, which word originates in a false derivation from _compter_, to count. Instead of the word being thus derived, the spelling has been accommodated by some to the imagined derivation.
~convenient~, ~commodious~: These terms are not always interchangeable. A room may be “convenient” in that it is suitable for a required purpose and “commodious” because it affords ample accommodation for the purpose for which it is applied. A book may be _convenient_ in size or arrangement but not _commodious_.
~correspond~. When the word means “answer or conform to” it is followed by the preposition _to_; when it means “hold written communication” the preposition is _with_.
~cotemporary~ which implies “equally temporary” should not be used for “contemporary” which means existing at the same time.
~cough up~: Used as an equivalent for “pay up,” is vulgar and, therefore, not used in polite society.
~council~, ~councilor~, ~counsel~, ~etc.~ Compare CONSUL.
~couple~: Does not mean merely two, but two united, as it were by links. Thus a man and wife illustrate a _couple_; but to talk of “a couple of weeks” is an absurdity for were two weeks coupled so as to become one, the product (one week multiplied by two) would no longer be a week but a fortnight.