corrective

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "corrective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something which is intended to correct or improve a situation or behavior. For example, "The manager implemented a corrective action plan to address the issues in the department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But St Petersburg lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, who is known for drafting legislation that inspired Russia's 2013 law against gay propaganda, praised the administrative arrest and recommended that the women face "corrective labour".

The Guardian

The idea of holding it up as an example of a brain-warpingly violent game should be a useful corrective to anyone tempted to make the same argument about Grand Theft Auto.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was done in the interests of safety and done purely as a corrective measure so therefore no action was taken".

The Guardian - Sport

Hence, perhaps, the importance of the Baileys as a corrective – it recognises (and is judged by) women.

The Guardian - Books

Poetry and Privacy: Questioning Public Interpretations of Contemporary British and Irish Poetry by John Redmond (Seren) is a salubrious corrective to those critics and academics for whom over-interpretation is a way of life.

The Guardian - Books

And of course, that is the point of the new book: by denying the reality of market failure, and blocking corrective action, these folks are actually undermining our economies, and laying the foundations for kinds of government interventions that will make them pine for the good old days of a carbon tax.

The Guardian

"While the FBI approval levels required by internal policy were not initially obtained, once discovered, corrective action was taken, non-compliance was remedied, and the oversight was properly reported through the FBI's internal oversight mechanism," it said.

The Guardian

Yet European Union countries, which now champion gay rights, are grappling with asylum claims from people in more than 100 countries who face punishments such as "corrective" rape (mostly for lesbians), torture, jail and even death.But policies vary.

The Economist

But even if the idea proves politically unsellable, says Mr Walkden, it is a useful corrective.

The Economist

Though most people are only dimly aware of it, their idea of what it means to be Brazilian is about to be challenged.The challenge is coming through racial quotas, which black leaders see as an indispensable corrective to discrimination.

The Economist

Kato is joined by fellow kuchus: Stosh, who endured a "corrective" rape, and Naome, his best friend.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the action you are describing. "Corrective" implies a direct action to fix something, so it might not be the best choice for subtle improvements.

Common error

Avoid using "corrective" in overly passive constructions. For example, instead of "Corrective measures should be implemented", opt for "Implement corrective measures" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The word "corrective" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something that serves to correct or rectify a problem. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, demonstrating its role in describing actions, measures, or tools intended to improve a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "corrective" functions as an adjective to describe something that aims to fix or improve a situation. Ludwig shows that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and science. When using "corrective", ensure clarity about what's being corrected and avoid overuse in passive constructions. Alternatives like "remedial" or "restorative" may offer nuanced meanings. As the Ludwig AI confirms, "corrective" is a reliable term for expressing actions or qualities intended to rectify issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rectifying

Highlights the act of correcting something that is wrong or unjust.

remedial

Suggests providing a remedy or cure, often for a specific problem or deficiency.

ameliorative

Focuses on improving a bad situation, emphasizing the act of making something better.

restorative

Emphasizes the act of bringing something back to its original or healthy condition.

rehabilitative

Focuses on restoring someone or something to a useful life, often after a period of decline or damage.

reforming

Implies changing something for the better, especially in terms of moral or social improvement.

curative

Suggests having the power to heal or cure a disease or ailment.

therapeutic

Emphasizes the healing or beneficial effects of something.

adjustive

Implies making small changes or adjustments to improve something.

emendatory

Refers to correcting errors or making improvements in a text or piece of writing.

FAQs

How is "corrective" used in a sentence?

The word "corrective" is used to describe something that aims to fix or improve a situation. For example, "The company implemented "corrective action" to address the safety concerns".

What are some synonyms for "corrective"?

Alternatives to "corrective" include "remedial", "restorative", or "ameliorative". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "corrective" instead of "correcting"?

"Corrective" is an adjective, while "correcting" is a verb form. Use "corrective" to describe something, like "corrective lens", and "correcting" to describe an action, such as "correcting errors".

What is the difference between "corrective" and "preventive"?

"Corrective" measures are taken to fix existing problems, whereas "preventive measures" are implemented to avoid future issues. For instance, "corrective maintenance" fixes broken equipment, and "preventive maintenance" aims to keep equipment from breaking down.