Classroom Language: Error correction

Here are some phrases that can be used when giving feedback to students:

  • Very good
  • That's very good
  • Well done
  • Very fine
  • That's nice
  • I like that
  • Marvellous
  • You did a great job.
  • Magnificent
  • Terrific
  • Wow!
  • Jolly good
  • Great stuff
  • Fantastic
  • Right
  • Yes
  • Fine
  • Quite right
  • That's right.
  • That's it.
  • That's correct
  • That's quite right.
  • Yes, you've got it.
  • You've got the idea.
  • It depends
  • It might be, I suppose
  • In a way, perhaps
  • Sort of , yes.
  • That's more like it
  • That's much better
  • That's a lot better
  • You've improved a lot
  • Not really
  • Unfortunately not
  • I'm afraid that's not quite right
  • You can't say that, I'm afraid
  • you can't use that word here
  • Good try, but not quite right
  • Have another try
  • Not quite right. Try again.
  • Not exactly
  • You were almost right.
  • That's almost it
  • You're halfway there
  • You've almost got it
  • You're on the right lines
  • There's no need to rush
  • There's no hurry
  • We have plenty of time
  • Go on. Have a try
  • Have a go
  • Have a guess
  • There's nothing wrong with your answer.
  • What you said was perfectly all right.
  • You didn't make a single mistake.
  • That's exactly the point.
  • That's just what I was looking for.
  • Don't worry about your pronunciation.
  • Don't worry about your spelling.
  • Don't worry, it'll improve
  • Maybe this will help you
  • Do you want a clue (hint)?
  • You have good pronunciation.
  • Your pronunciation is very good.
  • You are communicating well.
  • You speak very fluently.
  • You have made a lot of progress.
  • You still have some trouble with pronuncation.
  • You need more practice with these words.
  • You'll have to spend some time practising this.
  • You're getting better at it all the time.
  • You've improved no end.

This page was updated on February 18, 2009.