put things right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put things right" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to correcting a mistake or resolving a problem. Example: "After realizing the error in the report, I took immediate action to put things right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I would like to put things right".

Independent

But only Germany can put things right.

The Guardian - Business

We're here to put things right".

The Guardian

"We're trying very hard to put things right.

Independent

Others work with firms to help put things right.

The Economist

Their first attempt to put things right backfired badly.

The Economist

Often his role is to come and put things right.

The Guardian - Books

The Eldest Magician, aka God, has to put things right.

The Guardian - Books

I hope I have put things right since.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has been trying to put things right.

The New York Times - Arts

"We tried to put things right in the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put things right" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort to correct a specific problem or mistake. It often implies taking personal responsibility for resolving the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "put things right" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead of saying "Things need to be put right", specify who will take action: "We need to "put things right"."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "put things right" is as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of correcting errors or resolving problems. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is a common idiom used to convey the intention of fixing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put things right" is a common and grammatically sound English idiom used to express the act of correcting mistakes or resolving problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While alternatives like ""correct the situation"" and ""set things straight"" exist, "put things right" often implies taking personal responsibility. When using this phrase, ensure the actor is clear to avoid passive constructions. Overall, "put things right" is a versatile and effective way to convey a commitment to rectifying a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

correct the situation

Focuses on fixing the circumstances, often implying a need for immediate action.

rectify the problem

Implies a more formal or official correction of an error or issue.

remedy the situation

Suggests providing a cure or solution to an undesirable situation.

set things straight

Emphasizes clarifying or correcting misunderstandings or inaccuracies.

resolve the issue

Highlights the act of finding a solution to a problem or conflict.

make amends

Focuses on compensating for a wrong or injury done to someone.

repair the damage

Emphasizes fixing something that has been broken or harmed.

turn things around

Suggests making significant improvements to a negative or failing situation.

improve the situation

Focuses on making incremental positive changes to a current state.

right the wrong

Highlights correcting an injustice or ethical mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "put things right" in a sentence?

You can use "put things right" to describe correcting a mistake or resolving a problem. For example, "After realizing the error, I took immediate action to "put things right"".

What can I say instead of "put things right"?

You can use alternatives like "correct the situation", "remedy the situation", or "set things straight" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put matters right" instead of "put things right"?

Yes, "put matters right" is a valid alternative to "put things right" and carries a similar meaning, although the latter is more common.

What's the difference between "put things right" and "get things right"?

"Put things right" implies correcting something that has already gone wrong, while "get things right" suggests ensuring something is done correctly from the start.