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Confusables Entry 1075 / 1350 60-second read

Systemic vs. Systematic

Affecting the whole system versus done methodically.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

Her systematic inflammation required bloodwork.

✓ Correct

Her systemic inflammation required bloodwork.

The ruleii

SYSTEMIC = whole body / system. SYSTEMATIC = methodical.

SYSTEMIC refers to something that affects an entire system (systemic racism, systemic inflammation). SYSTEMATIC refers to a methodical, step-by-step approach (systematic review, systematic search).

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

SystemIC = system-wide. SystemATIC = methodical.

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