only to be corrected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only to be corrected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where something is done or stated, but then later amended or rectified. Example: "He confidently presented his findings, only to be corrected by his peers during the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Sometimes, he has ranked a site as cranky, only to be corrected by site visitors.

The New York Times - Tech

Twice, counting errors showed Mr. Pataki taking the lead, only to be corrected a few minutes later.

The New York Times

-- only to be corrected by Newsday, which reported that Mr. No Spin Zone grew up in Westbury, a middle-class suburb near Levittown.

The New York Times - Arts

By using GDQ procedure through the thickness, the reconstruction procedure needs only to be corrected to properly account for the boundary equilibrium conditions.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Then word leaked that Valentine had assembled the wrong lineup before a game, guessing that the opposing pitcher was a lefty, only to be corrected when some players noticed something fishy.

The New Yorker

At the National Hurricane Center, where he hoped to show that the government is now better prepared than when Katrina devastated New Orleans last year, Bush noted that the peak of hurricane season ends in September, only to be corrected by the center's director, who said it ends in October.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Infuriating as that was, Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, would also have been aghast by the disorganised play that only seemed to be corrected when half-an-hour had gone.

The Guardian - Sport

Note that coupling aberrations only need to be corrected once, resulting in a permanent calibration of this part of the system.

Biomedical Optics Express

This problem is very relevant since a good estimate of the unknown image will require only a few bits to be corrected.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In the wrong hands, the result, "Redd Blood Cells," would be a misguided attempt to fix the White Stripes' music, but he knows there is nothing about the band to be corrected, only to be explored.

The New York Times - Arts

However, we did not consider enough to be corrected only for this method.

Cancer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only to be corrected" to add a sense of irony or unexpected reversal to a narrative. This construction is particularly effective when highlighting errors made by authoritative figures or in situations where accuracy is paramount.

Common error

While "only to be corrected" is grammatically sound, avoid overuse in formal or technical writing where direct and concise language is preferred. Alternatives like "later revised" or "subsequently amended" can maintain clarity without introducing a potentially informal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to be corrected" typically functions as an infinitive phrase that modifies a preceding clause, often adding a sense of irony or unexpected reversal. As Ludwig AI suggests, it highlights situations where initial assumptions or statements are later proven inaccurate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only to be corrected" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to highlight a contrast between an initial assertion and its subsequent correction. Ludwig AI shows examples of it being used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. While its frequency is uncommon, it serves to add a sense of irony or unexpected reversal to a narrative. Remember to use it judiciously, especially in formal writing where concise alternatives may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only to be rectified

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

only to be revised

Emphasizes the act of reviewing and improving something after an initial attempt.

only to be amended

Focuses on the act of formally altering or adding to something after it's already been established.

but was then corrected

Highlights the correction of something after it has been stated or done.

but then it was corrected

Similar to 'but was then corrected', focusing on the moment of correction.

subsequently corrected

A more concise way of saying that something was corrected afterward.

later to be corrected

Indicates that the correction happened at a later time.

eventually to be corrected

Suggests the correction was delayed or happened after some time.

but was later found to be wrong

Indicates the initial statement was incorrect.

but was later discovered to be inaccurate

Similar to the previous option, but emphasizes the discovery of the inaccuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "only to be corrected" in a sentence?

Use "only to be corrected" to show a situation where an initial statement or action is later found to be inaccurate and requires correction. For example: "The initial report stated a surplus, "only to be corrected" when accounting errors were discovered."

What are some alternatives to "only to be corrected"?

Alternatives to "only to be corrected" include phrases like "later revised", "subsequently amended", or "eventually rectified", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "only to be corrected" when describing something being fixed?

No, it's not always necessary. "Only to be corrected" implies a degree of surprise or irony. If the correction is expected or routine, a simpler phrase like "was corrected" or "has been corrected" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "only to be corrected" and "only to be rectified"?

While similar, ""only to be corrected"" is a more general term for fixing an error. "Only to be rectified" suggests a more formal or legal process of correcting something that was wrong or unjust.