What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accurately
Example
The scale measures weight accurately up to two decimal places. [accurately: adverb]
Example
The artist reproduced the painting accurately, down to the smallest details. [accurately: adverb]
correctly
Example
She correctly identified the species of bird by its distinctive markings. [correctly: adverb]
Example
You need to follow the instructions correctly to assemble the furniture. [correctly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Correctly is more commonly used than accurately in everyday language. Correctly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while accurately is less common and refers to a more technical or specialized meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between accurately and correctly?
Accurately is more formal than correctly, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, both words can be used in formal writing or speech depending on the context and tone of the message.
