to rectify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rectify' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to fix or correct something that is wrong. You can use it in situations when you need to express the idea of solving, correcting, or adjusting something. For example: The company implemented a new policy to rectify the situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hoping to rectify that.

The New York Times

"We're trying to rectify that".

The New York Times

"We need to rectify that.

The New York Times

We have to rectify this".

The New Yorker

Do they try to rectify the situation?

The New York Times

And we want to rectify that".

Independent

This display aims to rectify that.

The Economist

"That's something we need to rectify.

Independent

Now, they are trying to rectify this.

The Economist

Batmanghelidjh has worked tirelessly to rectify this.

Independent

Levey decide to rectify that.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to rectify" when you want to convey a sense of formal correction or improvement, especially in situations involving errors or problems that need a solution.

Common error

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

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to rectify" serves as an infinitive of purpose, often introducing a clause that explains the reason for an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its use in diverse contexts, from business policies to scientific corrections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to rectify" is a grammatically correct and versatile construction used to express the intention of correcting or improving a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is very common, especially in formal and professional contexts such as news, science, and business. While generally neutral to formal, it is best reserved for situations where a clear need for correction exists. Consider alternatives like "to correct", "to amend", or "to remedy" for nuanced meaning or increased simplicity. Use "to rectify" to convey a sense of purposeful and formal correction, being mindful not to overuse it in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to correct

This alternative is a more direct and general term for fixing errors.

to amend

This alternative implies making formal changes to something, often a document or law.

to remedy

This alternative suggests providing a solution to a problem or ailment.

to fix

This alternative is an informal and versatile term for repairing or solving a problem.

to right

This alternative implies correcting a wrong or injustice.

to resolve

This alternative indicates finding a solution to a dispute or conflict.

to repair

This alternative refers to restoring something to a good condition.

to improve

This alternative is a broad term for making something better.

to reform

This alternative suggests improving something by removing or correcting faults, especially a social, political, or economic institution or practice.

to adjust

This alternative suggests making small changes to achieve a desired result.

FAQs

How to use "to rectify" in a sentence?

The phrase "to rectify" is used to indicate the action of correcting something that is wrong or deficient. For example, "The company implemented a new policy "to rectify" the situation".

What can I say instead of "to rectify"?

You can use alternatives like "to correct", "to amend", or "to remedy" depending on the context.

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

Both ""to rectify"" and "to correct" are correct, but "to rectify" is often used in more formal settings to suggest a thorough correction of something that is wrong or deficient, while "to correct" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "to rectify" and "to resolve"?

"To rectify" implies fixing an error or deficiency, while "to resolve" means to find a solution to a problem or dispute. "To rectify" focuses on making something right, whereas "to resolve" focuses on ending a conflict or difficulty.