What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
courtesy
Example
It's common courtesy to hold the door open for someone behind you. [courtesy: noun]
Example
He showed courtesy by offering his seat to the elderly woman on the bus. [courtesy: noun]
consideration
Example
She showed consideration by offering to help her friend move out of her apartment. [consideration: noun]
Example
He took her feelings into consideration before making a decision. [consideration: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Courtesy and consideration are both commonly used in everyday language, but courtesy may be more commonly used in formal situations, while consideration can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between courtesy and consideration?
Courtesy is often associated with formal situations and may be seen as more formal than consideration, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
