correctly

/kəˈrektli/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈrektli/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈrek(t)-lē/ (ame, mw)

correctly — adverb

1. An action or statement done correctly has no errors — it agrees with what is act

1.副詞B1
釋義

An action or statement done correctly has no errors — it agrees with what is actually true or with what the right answer should be.

例句

Hari correctly answered all ten questions on the geography quiz.

correctly + verb of mental action (answer, guess, note)

The accountant checked whether the figures were added correctly.

verb + object + correctly (were added correctly)

同義詞
  • accurately

    Emphasises freedom from factual error; common with measurements and descriptions.

  • precisely

    Suggests exactness down to the finest detail; stronger than 'correctly'.

  • right

    Informal alternative; not used in formal or academic writing.

反義詞
  • incorrectly

    Direct opposite; with mistakes or errors.

  • wrongly

    Common in everyday speech; often implies a factual or moral error.

  • inaccurately

    Used when information or measurements are not exact.

文法句型

correctly + verb (e.g., answered correctly)

verb + object + correctly

correctly + that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently appears with verbs of thinking, speaking, or verifying: answer, guess, identify, note, remember, calculate. In negative constructions, 'not correctly' often implies partial error rather than complete wrongness.

常見錯誤

❌She answered correct to the question.
✅She answered the question correctly.
💡'Correct' is an adjective; the adverb 'correctly' is needed to modify the verb 'answered'.
❌You didn't do it correct.
✅You didn't do it correctly.
💡After a verb, use the adverb form, not the adjective.

2. When you speak, behave, or dress correctly in a social situation, you follow the

2.副詞B2
釋義

When you speak, behave, or dress correctly in a social situation, you follow the accepted customs and standards that most people in that group consider proper and suitable.

例句

Dario knew how to behave correctly at a formal Japanese dinner with business partners.

correctly + manner of social conduct (behave, address, dress, greet)

In some cultures, you must address your elders correctly as a sign of respect.

同義詞
  • properly

    The most natural near-synonym in everyday English; slightly less formal.

  • appropriately

    Focuses on suitability to a particular context; common in written advice.

  • suitably

    Weaker than 'correctly'; often implies good enough rather than exactly right.

反義詞

文法句型

verb + correctly (behave correctly)

verb + object + correctly (address someone correctly)

用法筆記

This sense is more formal than sense 1. It appears mainly with verbs describing social conduct (behave, dress, address, greet, speak). In everyday informal conversation, 'properly' or 'the right way' are more common alternatives.

常見錯誤

❌You should dress correct for the interview.
✅You should dress correctly for the interview.
💡'Correctly' is the adverb needed after the verb 'dress'.