essentially correct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially correct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is mostly accurate, even if there are minor exceptions or nuances. Example: "While there are some details that could be debated, the overall conclusion is essentially correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were essentially correct.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This approach is essentially correct.

The Washington Post

This assessment is essentially correct.

The Guardian - Opinion

The situation as presented is essentially correct.

The New York Times

Trump's Syria decision was essentially correct.

The Washington Post

I found my first impression to be essentially correct.

The New Yorker

The new theories they created were essentially correct.

The New Yorker

"Our assessment of the U.S.," he said, "was essentially correct".

The New York Times - Books

Drummond's information had been essentially correct after all.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Professor Dawson said that Timmy was essentially correct.

The New York Times - Food

He believed that the story was essentially correct that Bush did benefit from political pull and failed to meet his obligations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially correct" to acknowledge the overall validity of a statement or theory, even if there are minor discrepancies or areas needing further refinement. It's particularly useful in academic or professional contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially correct" when you mean "absolutely correct." "Essentially correct" implies minor imperfections or incomplete information, while "absolutely correct" leaves no room for doubt or modification. Ensure your wording accurately reflects the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially correct" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes something as being correct in its main points or essence, acknowledging potential minor inaccuracies or exceptions. Ludwig confirms its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essentially correct" is a versatile adjective phrase indicating a high degree of accuracy with an understanding of minor imperfections. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various authoritative sources, especially in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, remember that it does not mean "completely correct", but rather acknowledges a level of approximation. Consider related alternatives like "largely accurate", or "mostly right" depending on the specific context and desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely accurate

Focuses on the overall accuracy with allowance for minor inaccuracies.

mostly right

Emphasizes the prevalence of correctness, suggesting only small errors.

generally accurate

Highlights accuracy in most cases, with some exceptions possible.

substantially correct

Indicates a significant degree of correctness, implying minor deviations.

basically accurate

Suggests a fundamental level of accuracy, even if not entirely precise.

accurate for the most part

Directly states that accuracy is predominant.

accurate in essence

Highlights that the core idea is accurate, regardless of minor details.

accurate in its fundamentals

Focuses on the accuracy of the foundational aspects.

correct in the main

Emphasizes that the main points are correct, despite possible small errors.

accurate to a great extent

Suggests a high degree of accuracy, but not necessarily complete accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "essentially correct" in a sentence?

You can use "essentially correct" to indicate that something is mostly accurate, even if there are minor exceptions or nuances. For example: "While there are some details that could be debated, the overall conclusion is essentially correct."

What are some alternatives to "essentially correct"?

You can use alternatives like "largely accurate", "mostly right", or "generally accurate" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "essentially correct" or "completely correct"?

"Essentially correct" implies that something is accurate in its main points but may have minor inaccuracies or exceptions. "Completely correct" means there are no errors at all. The better choice depends on the specific level of accuracy you want to convey.

What's the difference between "essentially correct" and "technically correct"?

"Essentially correct" suggests a broad accuracy, while "technically correct" means accurate in a narrow, literal sense, even if misleading in a larger context. Saying something is "technically correct" can sometimes imply it's also deliberately deceptive or incomplete.