Word
corrective
Phoneticscor·rec·tive
US/kɝˈɛktɪv/
UK/kəɹˈɛktɪv/
Definition
n. something that is intended to fix a problem or balance out a bad situation. You use it when you want to make things right again after a mistake.
n. a measure or action intended to rectify an error, imbalance, or undesirable situation. Often used in political, economic, or social contexts to describe a policy that offsets a previous trend.
Examples
“The new law acts as a corrective to the old system.”
“The central bank raised interest rates as a corrective to the rapidly rising inflation seen over the last quarter.”
“Her latest book serves as a necessary corrective to the romanticised historical accounts that have dominated the curriculum for decades, providing a more grounded perspective on the era.”
Examples
simple
“The new law acts as a corrective to the old system.”
contextual
“The central bank raised interest rates as a corrective to the rapidly rising inflation seen over the last quarter.”
complex
“Her latest book serves as a necessary corrective to the romanticised historical accounts that have dominated the curriculum for decades, providing a more grounded perspective on the era.”
Usage
Often paired with the preposition 'to' ('a corrective to').
Real-World Examples
“Ogmios’ YouTube videos, and his 2022 BBC Three series, Zen Motoring, would be a necessary tone corrective for something as boisterous as Top Gear.” “Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment was a much-needed corrective, the change in direction Spurs supporters clamoured for during so many years of their club never paying top dollar, of cutting corners.” Collocations
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/corrective