What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amend
Example
The company decided to amend the contract to include additional clauses. [amend: verb]
Example
I need to amend my essay before submitting it to the professor. [amend: verb]
Example
He apologized and offered to amend his mistake. [amend: verb]
rectify
Example
The mechanic was able to rectify the issue with the car's engine. [rectify: verb]
Example
We need to rectify the problem with the billing system before the end of the month. [rectify: verb]
Example
The court ordered the company to rectify the environmental damage caused by their operations. [rectify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rectify is less common than amend in everyday language, but both words are used in formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between amend and rectify?
Both amend and rectify are formal words that are typically used in legal or technical documents. However, amend is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels, while rectify is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts.