English is a universal language, meaning it’s spoken by people all over the world. However, this fact doesn’t mean that everyone knows how to properly speak English, there’re many rules that need to be learned. People make mistakes even with the easiest sentences as they don’t have the complete knowledge of certain words, and such mistakes might not seem like mistakes while speaking, but they’re wrong grammatically. Most mistakes are made because primarily one reason is, we learn English by talking and listening, when we talk, we make mistakes like, using a different word, but similar to the word which was actually supposed to be used in the situation. Now, the word might have the same meaning, but it gives a completely different idea.
The English language has uncountable words and it can be daunting to differentiate between words like “Correct” and “Right.” You must be thinking, both of them mean the same thing, but it’s wrong. “Is that right” and “Is that correct” are two different sentences, that give different ideas.
“Is that right,” is asking a question if something is right or not, however, the definition of “right” is a matter of opinions. “Is that correct,” is also asking a question if something is correct or incorrect, and the word “correct” is used when something is absolutely true.
There isn’t much of a difference between “correct” and “right” as they’re synonymous with each other. However, “correct” is used when something is a fact, while “right” is used when you think something is right.
Keep reading to know more.
How do you use right and correct?
“Correct” is derived from a Latin word and “Right” is the same as well. Both of them are considered synonymous with each other.
One can use them with facts, methods, etc. As “correct” and “right” mean that they have no mistakes. However, don’t use “correct” for people, instead use “right”.
For example: If you want to say to someone who you think is right, you should say “you are right” and not “you are correct”.
Moreover, “correct” is used with something which is a fact, and “right” is used when you think what someone is talking about is right.
Examples:
- Earth is round and not flat. (yes, that’s correct).
- The dress color is too bright (that’s right)
Correct is free from error, while “right” has the possibility of having errors.
Use of “correct” and “right in simple words, “Right” is used more than “correct”. “Correct” implies something which is absolutely true and has no errors, while “right” implies something which is merely an opinion.
When should you use ‘Is that correct’?
“Is that correct” is the most simple sentence, but it still is used in the wrong manner. It isn’t used when it’s called for.
“Is that correct” is a sentence that is asking a question to the person who has stated a fact. By saying “is that correct” the person is trying to confirm if the fact is actually a fact.
Correct isn’t used when it’s called for, instead “right” is used. However, one should understand that both are used in different situations. Correct implies truth or something which is a fact and has no error. Still, it isn’t used as much as “right”, probably because “right” has become normal while speaking.
“Is that correct?” vs “is that true?”
“Is that correct” and “is that true” are both correct and can be used interchangeably. “Is that correct” is used when something is a fact and has no errors, moreover, “Is that true” can also be used instead of “is that correct”.
“Is that true” is asked to confirm if something is a fact or not. However, “is that true” can also be used in matters of opinions.
Example:
- English is a universal language. (is that correct)
- I saw a change of attitude in her. (is that true)
Here’s a table for the uses of “is that correct”, “is that right”, and “is that true”.
| Is that correct? | Is that right? | Is that true? |
| It’s used when something is a fact and has zero errors | It’s used in the matters of opinions | It’s used for a fact as well as in the matter of opinions |
| Example: There are 7 colors in a rainbow | Example: My driving skills are incredible | Example: I heard, there’s a virus called Corona. |
Is “Is that correct?” more formal than “Is that right?”
It’s not about which is formal, it’s about when should “is that correct” and “is that right” be used. However, “is that correct” is considered more formal than “is that right”. Even with this information, one should use “is that correct” and “is that right” only when they’re called for.
Both “is that correct” and “is that right” ask the accuracy, but “is that correct” implies such accuracy which is a fact, meaning it has been searched and is considered a fact. Whereas, “is that right” asks for accuracy in the matters of opinions.
“Is that correct” is considered more polite than “is that right”, but it doesn’t mean that they can be used interchangeably in every situation. It’s merely about being alert and thinking before speaking or writing, with that you won’t be making mistakes.
“Is that right?” VS “Is that true?”
“Is that right” and “is that true”, are both correct, but are used in different situations. “Is that right” is used in the matters of opinions, however “is that true” can also be used in the same situation.
In the case of “is that true”, it isn’t necessary if something isn’t a fact or not, it implies when the information that is given is true or not.
Example:
- Is that right: That move was wrong.
- Is that true: People are getting sick from a virus.
Here is a video to differentiate between “True” and “Right”.
To Conclude
English is a universal language and every person should learn to speak it properly. In written English, we refrain from making mistakes, but if we aren’t even aware of that mistake then how is that mistake going to be corrected.
When we speak we tend to make many mistakes that go unnoticed, while in written English, even the smallest mistakes can be detected. Thus, you should learn English with complete attention.
There are three sentences that are talked about the most as people mix them up with each other. “Is that correct,” “is that right,” and “is that true” are used interchangeably even when it’s grammatically incorrect, but people use them as they don’t know that they’re three different sentences that are used in different situations.
“Is that right” is used when someone is giving his or her opinion.
“Is that correct” is used when something is a fact and doesn’t have any errors.
“Is that true” is used when the information which is given is true or not, it doesn’t have to be a fact.
“Is that true” and “is that correct” can be used interchangeably, but “is that right” can’t be interchanged neither with “is that correct” nor with “is that true”.