rectify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rectify' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been set right, made correct or put right after something has gone wrong. For example: "The company rectified the error they made earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But despite attempts to rectify the fault many viewers still had problems understanding some of the characters' broad West Country accents and the complaints continued to mount.

The Guardian

The coalition government has promised to rectify this, but in the meantime we can only rely on the Data Protection Act 1998 and article 8 of the European convention on human rights (the right to respect for private and family life), both of which have played an important role in providing some regulation but which have inevitable limitations in this context.

The Guardian - Opinion

The memo continued: "We would like you to lead a small team to fully define this shortfall in tasking capability [and] identify all the necessary changes needed to rectify it".

The Guardian

Or it could become paralysed, incapable of moving forward, unable to rectify the dire economic situation and restore order, without which no progress is possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

What they missed that night was the chance to talk about what Tidal would do for non-famous musicians, which is something they've been scrambling to rectify since – see Jack White's comments this week for example.

The Guardian - Tech

He said: "We take great pride in our scrummaging and we'll do everything to rectify anything that is wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Yaraka, a community refusing to bow to the blows of its railway line being disused and its school being closed in 2009, has no mobile phone service and would like a tower on nearby Mount Slowcombe to rectify that situation, as well as faster internet than is available under the current interim satellite service for remote communities.

The Guardian

Instead of admonishing or praising Allen, we should ask why there is such a weight of expectation upon something so small, and what we can do to rectify that.

The Guardian - Opinion

I can rectify this, however, by adding some to the filling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Journalists who write for a living are fortunate to be supported by editors who rectify 99.9% of our written gaffes, although that didn't stop me once reporting that a man was seen fleeing a crime scene carrying a mobile home.

The Guardian - Opinion

The unfairness the "Buffet Rule" seeks to rectify would only get worse.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to use "rectify", verify there is an actual mistake or error that needs correcting. This word isn't merely for general improvements.

Common error

Avoid using "rectify" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler words like "fix" or "correct" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rectify" is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being corrected or set right. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "rectify" is used to describe the act of correcting errors, flaws, or injustices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rectify" is a verb used to formally correct something that is wrong or deficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and most suitable for professional and academic contexts. Its frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific domains underscores its formal nature. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you want to convey: "correct" focuses on accuracy, "amend" suggests formal alteration, and "remedy" implies providing a solution. Avoid using "rectify" in casual conversations, where simpler words are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

correct

A direct synonym focusing on accuracy.

amend

Suggests a formal alteration or improvement.

remedy

Implies providing a solution to a problem.

repair

Focuses on restoring something to a good condition.

resolve

Suggests finding a solution or clearing up something.

Suggests making something better

Suggests a general enhancement.

fix

An informal term for correcting or repairing.

set right

Emphasizes restoring justice or fairness.

put right

Correct an error or mistake.

make good

Compensating for a failure or deficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "rectify" in a sentence?

You can use "rectify" to describe the act of correcting something that is wrong or deficient. For example, "The company took steps to "rectify" the error in their accounting system".

What is a simpler alternative to "rectify"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using words like "correct", "fix", or "repair" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rectify" or "remedy"?

"Rectify" implies correcting an error or wrong, while "remedy" suggests providing a solution to a problem or ailment. The choice depends on whether you are correcting something or providing a cure.

What's the difference between "rectify" and "amend"?

"Rectify" generally means to correct something that is wrong or erroneous. "Amend" implies making formal alterations or improvements to a document or system.