Being corrected can feel awkward or defensive, even when the person has good intentions. When someone corrects you — at work, in a conversation with friends, or online — steady, simple words keep the exchange respectful and help everyone move forward.

Why This Moment Matters

A correction is more than a factual fix: it affects how you’re seen (competent, careless, teachable) and how the other person feels about being heard. How you respond shapes the tone of future interactions and can protect relationships or professional credibility. Responding well also models curiosity and emotional maturity for others.

Short, Simple Things You Can Say

• Thanks — I appreciate you pointing that out.
• You’re right; I’ll fix that.
• Good catch — I hadn’t realized.
• I see — thanks for the heads-up.
• Sorry, my mistake. I’ll update it.
• Can you show me where you saw that? I want to be sure I understand.

Longer Messages With More Warmth

• Thank you for catching that. I missed it when I was rushing; I’ll correct it now and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
• I appreciate you telling me. Could you walk me through what you meant so I don’t repeat the same error?
• That’s helpful — I value your attention to detail. I’d like to correct this and I’ll double-check the rest of the work.
• I can see how that came across; thanks for pointing it out. I didn’t mean to give the wrong information, and I’ll clarify it right away.
• I’m glad you said something. If you notice anything else, please tell me — I’m trying to learn.

What to Avoid Saying

• Don’t respond with immediate excuses (e.g., “I was busy” or “It’s not my fault”).
• Avoid snapping back or minimizing the correction (‘It’s not a big deal’ said dismissively).
• Don’t try to correct the corrector publicly or argue tone-for-tone.
• Avoid sarcastic replies or “you’re wrong” replies that escalate.
• Don’t ignore the correction or pretend you didn’t hear it.

Helpful Tips for Handling the Moment

• Pause briefly before answering — a short breath prevents a defensive reaction.
• Match the scale of your response to the situation (a quick “thanks” for a small typo; a thoughtful follow-up for substantive errors).
• If the correction came in public, consider acknowledging it publicly and following up privately if clarification is needed.
• Ask a clarifying question if you’re unsure what exactly was wrong: “Can you show me where I went off?”
• Take notes or bookmark the correction so you can act on it later and follow through.
• If the correction feels unfair or incorrect, respond calmly: “I see your point — can we look at the source together?”

A Note About This Particular Situation

Corrections happen in many contexts — from informal chats to formal reviews — and the relationship and setting change how direct you should be. Pay attention to tone and power dynamics: a correction from a manager, mentor, or peer might require a different balance of humility and clarification. If you’re being corrected repeatedly on the same point, gently ask for guidance on how to improve rather than just apologizing each time.

Let us know in the comments if this has helped or if you’ve got suggestions we can include

About the Author 

Helen Bach is a relationship expert and writer who helps people find the right words when it matters most. She studied English and English Literature at the University of Michigan, where she developed a passion for how language shapes love, conflict, and connection.

At whattosaywhen.net, Helen writes clear, down-to-earth advice on what to say in real-life situations—from first dates and tough conversations to breakups and makeups. Her goal is simple: to make talking about feelings less awkward and a lot more honest.