rectifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rectifying" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the action of correcting something that was previously wrong. Example sentence: The lawyer was tasked with rectifying the language of the contract.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

There are even moves to start rectifying past failures.

The Economist

Solving that would turn out to be one of the greatest technological spin-offs of the second world war.Beating swords into transistorsThe development of radar did much to revive the fortunes of crystal detectors: although temperamental, they were better than vacuum-tube diodes at rectifying the high frequencies used by radar.

The Economist

One is that many Latin American voters want moderate change and more emphasis on rectifying social ills.

The Economist

BAE is more likely to link to Boeing than it is to join EADS, so that easy route to rectifying the imbalance is closed.

The Economist

Germans would gain from rectifying this, for example through a much-needed boost to public infrastructure, which has been neglected, and a dose of deregulation to spur private investment.The focus on Germany's surplus in any case misses a larger defect in the euro zone's plethora of reforms.

The Economist

The task of rectifying all this will fall heavily on the new chairman of the Republican National Committee, who will be chosen this week.The winner must be "ever-present" on television, says Jim Nicholson, who did the job in the late 1990s.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Even as strong an impression as that made by my first experience of a live first class match (this one from 1975) was corrupted by the passage of time, only to be rectified by the unarguable flat data of the web.

The Guardian - Sport

"That problem has been temporarily rectified by the local authority paying for a concrete specialist company to simply knock off the crumbling concrete and painting the exposed metal underneath".

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rectifying", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being corrected or improved. For instance, specify whether you are "rectifying" errors, imbalances, or injustices.

Common error

Avoid using "rectifying" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "fixing" or "correcting" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rectifying" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund acting as a noun. This is supported by Ludwig, indicating its correct usage in written English to describe the action of correcting something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

31%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Rectifying is a present participle used to describe the action of correcting or improving something, often implying the removal of errors or injustices. As indicated by Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science, suggesting a more formal tone. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify what exactly is being "rectified". While alternatives like "correcting", "remedying", and "amending" exist, "rectifying" maintains a distinct nuance suitable for precise and objective communication. Therefore, use "rectifying" with care, and ensure you are aware of the formality and precision the word implies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

correcting

Emphasizes making something accurate or free from error.

remedying

Focuses on providing a cure or solution to a problem or undesirable situation.

amending

Implies making formal changes or improvements to a document or system.

repairing

Highlights restoring something to a good condition after damage or wear.

revising

Suggests making changes to improve clarity, accuracy, or effectiveness.

improving

Broadly refers to making something better than it was before.

resolving

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem or conflict.

addressing

Implies dealing with a problem or issue in a direct and thoughtful way.

rectification

Nominalization of "rectifying", referring to the act of correcting something.

setting right

Informal phrase meaning to correct or remedy a wrong or injustice.

FAQs

How can I use "rectifying" in a sentence?

You can use "rectifying" to describe the act of correcting something that is wrong or inaccurate. For example, "The company is rectifying its past mistakes by implementing new policies."

What are some alternatives to "rectifying"?

Alternatives to "rectifying" include "correcting", "remedying", "amending", or "repairing", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "rectifying" and "correcting"?

"Rectifying" often implies a more formal or significant correction, while "correcting" can be used in a broader range of situations. "Rectifying" might suggest addressing a more substantial error or injustice.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "rectifying"?

It is most appropriate to use "rectifying" in formal contexts, such as legal documents, official reports, or academic writing, where a precise and somewhat elevated tone is desired. Consider more common alternatives if the context is less formal.