correct for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "correct for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether something meets a certain standard or requirement. Example: "The software needs to be correct for the latest operating system to function properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To correct for multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni correction was applied.

Plosone

Taste and correct for salt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is correct for the moderator also.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I try to correct for this".

The New York Times - Magazine

I began to correct for myself.

The New York Times - Books

Prices throughout are correct for June 2009.

The Guardian - Travel

We can correct for this by looking at regional differences.

The Guardian

So whose job is it to correct for them?

The New Yorker

Billy Kee is present and correct for Burton.

The Guardian - Sport

We apologize and we will course correct for the future.

The Guardian - Tech

But the move was correct for one simple reason.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "correct for" in scientific writing, ensure you clearly specify the variable or factor being adjusted.

Common error

Avoid using "correct for" when you actually intend to completely eliminate or remove something; the phrase implies an adjustment, not a full removal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "correct for" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It typically introduces the concept of adjusting or compensating for a particular factor or error. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "correct for" is a versatile verb phrase widely used to indicate the adjustment or compensation for a specific factor or error. Ludwig's examples illustrate its prevalence in scientific, news, and business contexts, where precision and objectivity are paramount. The phrase functions as a transitive verb, serving the purpose of clarifying that modifications are being made to account for influences or biases. While generally neutral to formal, its academic and scientific usage indicates a preference for precise language. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjust for

Replaces "correct" with "adjust", implying a slight modification rather than a complete rectification.

compensate for

Substitutes "correct" with "compensate", suggesting a balancing action to offset an effect.

account for

Replaces "correct" with "account", indicating that something is taken into consideration to provide a more accurate assessment.

make allowance for

Emphasizes the act of permitting for something to be factored in, implying a degree of tolerance.

rectify

Offers a more formal and direct synonym for "correct", implying a straightforward fix.

amend

Suggests a formal alteration or improvement.

remedy

Indicates a solution or cure to a problem or error.

mitigate

Implies reducing the severity or impact of something.

offset

Highlights the balancing or counteracting of an effect.

counterbalance

Suggests a neutralizing force to maintain equilibrium.

FAQs

How do I use "correct for" in a sentence?

Use "correct for" to indicate that an adjustment is being made to account for a particular factor or error, as in, "We need to "adjust for" inflation when comparing salaries over time".

What can I say instead of "correct for"?

You can use alternatives like "adjust for", "compensate for", or "account for" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "correct for" in academic writing?

In academic writing, "correct for" is appropriate when describing statistical methods or experimental designs that aim to mitigate biases or confounding variables. For example, "The statistical analysis was performed to "compensate for" selection bias".

What's the difference between "correct for" and "adjust for"?

"Correct for" and ""adjust for"" are often interchangeable, but "correct for" implies a more direct effort to rectify an error, while ""adjust for"" might involve a broader range of modifications to account for various influences.