Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
RESTFUL / RESTIVE
These two adjectives sound as though they should be similar in meaning but in fact are quite opposite. The word restful means quiet; serene; promoting rest whereas restive means impatient or fidgety; ill at ease.
INCORRECT: I find a day spent fishing on the lake to be quite restive.
CORRECT: I find a day spent fishing on the lake to be quite restful.
ALSO CORRECT: The soldiers were restive the night before battle.
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