Quick Definition
Correct (adjective) — free from errors; in accordance with fact, a rule, or an accepted standard. Your answer is correct.
Correct (verb) — to make something accurate by removing or fixing errors; to point out the mistakes in something. She corrected the spelling mistake.
Etymology
Correct comes from the Latin correctus, the past participle of corrigere — a combination of com- (together, completely) and regere (to guide, to rule straight). The original Latin sense was literally "to make straight" or "to bring into line with a standard". The word entered English in the 14th century via Old French, initially as a verb meaning to discipline or censure, and later as an adjective meaning free from error. Related Latin roots also give English regulate, direct, and erect.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| Your answer is correct — well done! | A2 | correct as predicate adjective |
| Please make sure you use the correct form when you apply. | B1 | correct as attributive adjective before a noun |
| The teacher corrected our essays and gave them back the next day. | B1 | correct as verb, past tense |
| It is important to follow the correct procedure when handling confidential data. | B2 | formal context; correct = appropriate and in line with rules |
| He corrected himself mid-sentence when he realised he had misspoken. | C1 | reflexive use of the verb; natural in spoken and written English |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| correct answer | Only one of the four options is the correct answer. |
| correct mistake / error | It is better to correct a mistake early than to ignore it. |
| grammatically correct | The sentence is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural. |
| factually correct | All statistics in the report must be factually correct. |
| politically correct | The terminology used in the document is politically correct. |
| correct spelling / pronunciation | Learning the correct pronunciation early prevents bad habits. |
| stand corrected | I stand corrected — you were right all along. |
| correct procedure | Follow the correct procedure for submitting a complaint. |
| perfectly / absolutely correct | Your calculation is absolutely correct. |
| correct someone | She politely corrected him when he confused the two dates. |
Usage Notes
- Adjective vs verb: Correct works as both an adjective ("the correct answer") and a verb ("to correct a mistake"). The meaning shifts significantly, so context is essential.
- Formal register: As an adjective, correct is slightly more formal than right. In official documents, instructions, and academic writing, prefer correct; in conversation, right is more natural.
- Not always interchangeable with accurate: Correct implies conformity to a standard or expected answer; accurate implies precision in measurement or description. A translation can be accurate without being idiomatic, or idiomatic without being perfectly accurate.
- Correcting others politely: When correcting someone, British English often softens the correction with phrases such as "I think you might mean…" or "Actually, the correct form is…" rather than a direct "That's wrong."
- Word family: The word family includes correction (noun), correctly (adverb), incorrect (adjective), incorrectly (adverb), correctness (noun), and correctable (adjective). Knowing the full family greatly expands your ability to use the word naturally.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
That is not the correct way of do it.
That is not the correct way to do it. (use to + infinitive, not of + gerund)
She corrected me that I was wrong.
She corrected me. / She told me I was wrong. (correct as a verb does not take a that-clause about the error)
He answered correct.
He answered correctly. (use the adverb correctly, not the adjective, to modify a verb)
Related Words
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Frequently Asked Questions about “correct”
What does correct mean in English?
As an adjective, correct means free from errors and in accordance with fact or an accepted standard: 'Your answer is correct.' As a verb, it means to fix or amend something that contains a mistake: 'She corrected the spelling error in her essay.' Both meanings share the core idea of accuracy and conformity to a standard.
What is the difference between correct and right?
Correct and right are often interchangeable when describing accurate answers or facts. However, correct tends to be more formal and implies conformity to a specific standard or rule, while right can also mean morally good or socially appropriate. You would say 'the correct procedure' in a formal context, but 'the right thing to do' for an ethical judgement.
What is the difference between correct and accurate?
Correct means free from errors and in line with a standard or expected answer. Accurate means precise and in exact agreement with the facts or measurements, with an implication of careful measurement. A clock can be accurate to the nearest second; an answer on a test is either correct or incorrect. In everyday use the words overlap considerably.
How do you use correct as a verb?
When used as a verb, correct takes a direct object: 'The teacher corrected the essays.' It can also be used reflexively: 'He corrected himself mid-sentence.' Common collocations include correct a mistake, correct an error, correct spelling, and correct someone's pronunciation. The noun form is correction, and the person who corrects is a corrector.
What is the adverb form of correct?
The adverb form is correctly: 'She answered the question correctly.' It describes how something is done in a way that is free from error. The opposite adverb is incorrectly: 'The address was incorrectly entered.' Note that you cannot say 'She answered correctly the question' — the adverb follows the object in most cases.
What is the noun form of correct?
The main noun form is correction: 'The teacher made several corrections to the draft.' There is also correctness, which refers to the quality of being free from error: 'political correctness', 'grammatical correctness'. In printing and editing, a correction is a specific change made to fix an error.
What are common collocations with correct?
Common adjective collocations include: perfectly correct, absolutely correct, factually correct, grammatically correct, politically correct. Common verb collocations include: correct a mistake, correct an error, correct a paper, correct spelling, correct pronunciation. The phrase 'to stand corrected' means to accept that you were wrong.
What does politically correct mean?
Politically correct (often abbreviated to PC) describes language, behaviour, or policies that are intended to avoid offending or disadvantaging particular groups of people in society. The term became widely used from the 1990s onwards. It can be used both as a compliment (showing sensitivity) or critically (implying excessive restriction of language). It is an important phrase for B2–C1 learners to understand.
What is the origin of the word correct?
Correct comes from the Latin correctus, the past participle of corrigere, meaning 'to set right' or 'to straighten'. The Latin prefix com- (together) combined with regere (to guide, to rule) gives the sense of 'bringing into line'. The word entered English in the 14th century via Old French, initially as a verb meaning to discipline or censure, and later as an adjective meaning free from error.
How can I practise using correct in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise correct and its related forms in context, or use the Flash Cards tool to review collocations such as 'correct answer', 'correct a mistake', and 'grammatically correct'. The Vocabulary Quiz is also ideal for consolidating the distinction between correct (adjective) and correct (verb).