Erratum vs. Addendum vs. Corrigendum – Which is Correct?

While often confused due to their similar Latin origins and application in formal documentation, erratum, addendum, and corrigendum each serve a distinct purpose. An erratum corrects publisher-made errors, an addendum provides new, supplementary information, and a corrigendum rectifies author-made errors. All three are valid terms, each addressing a specific type of modification to a published work.

Erratum, Addendum, or Corrigendum – Which is Correct?

The question isn’t which word is inherently “correct,” but rather which word is appropriate for a specific situation. All three terms are valid and widely used, particularly in academic, legal, and publishing contexts, to denote different types of changes or additions made to a document after its initial publication. The primary distinction lies in the nature of the change and, for corrections, the source of the error.

• An erratum (plural: errata) is a correction of an error introduced during the publication process, such as a typesetting mistake, a printing error, or an omission by the publisher.
• An addendum (plural: addenda) is new, supplementary material that is added to a document after its original creation or publication. It doesn’t correct an error but rather provides additional information.
• A corrigendum (plural: corrigenda) is a correction of an error made by the author themselves in the original manuscript, which was then faithfully reproduced by the publisher.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To confidently distinguish between these terms, focus on the root meaning and the party responsible for the change:

Understanding the precise application of these terms, including the distinction between Addendum vs. Addenda, is crucial for maintaining formal accuracy.

• Erratum = Publisher’s Error: Think “Erratum is an Error by the Editor/Publisher.” It’s something they messed up.
• Addendum = Author’s Addition: Remember “Addendum is an Addition” or “Author Adds.” It’s new material, not a correction.
• Corrigendum = Author’s Correction: Associate “Corrigendum” with “Correction by the Creator/Author.” It’s an error the author made that needs fixing.

Another simple trick: If you see “errata,” think “errors.” If you see “addenda,” think “additions.” If you see “corrigenda,” think “corrections” (specifically, author-initiated corrections).

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Erratum	Noun	An error in a printed work discovered after printing and listed with corrections. (Publisher’s error)	The journal issued an erratum for the misspelled author’s name on page 34.
Addendum	Noun	An item of additional material added at the end of a book or other publication. (New information)	The contract included an addendum outlining new payment terms.
Corrigendum	Noun	An error in a printed work that the author wishes to correct. (Author’s error)	The research paper required a corrigendum to update the statistical data provided by the lead author.

How to Use Erratum

The term erratum is used to refer specifically to mistakes that occurred during the production or printing process of a document. These are errors not present in the original manuscript submitted by the author but introduced by the publisher, editor, or printer. It’s a formal term primarily found in academic journals, books, and official publications. When a publisher discovers such an error after printing, they typically issue an “errata sheet” or an “erratum notice” to inform readers of the correction. The tone is always formal and objective.

Example 1: The scientific journal published an erratum in its next issue, acknowledging that Figure 2 was inadvertently printed upside down.

Example 2: Due to a typesetting mistake, the legal brief contained an erratum regarding the court date, which was swiftly corrected by the publishing house.

Example 3: Readers of the new biography were directed to the publisher’s website, where a list of errata for the first print run was posted.

What are the different forms of Erratum?

Erratum is a Latin-derived noun. Its singular form is “erratum,” and its plural form is “errata.” In English, “errata” is often used to refer to a list of corrections or errors collectively. While “erratum” is singular, it’s more common to see the plural “errata” when referring to multiple mistakes or a formal list of corrections.

• Singular: erratum
• Plural: errata

Etymology of the word Erratum

The word erratum comes directly from Latin, meaning “error” or “a mistake.” It is the neuter past participle of the verb errare, meaning “to wander, stray, or err.” Its use in English dates back to the early 17th century, specifically in the context of printing errors.

How to Use Addendum

An addendum is a piece of information or material added to a document that was not present in the original version. Unlike errata or corrigenda, an addendum does not correct an error; rather, it supplements the existing content, providing additional details, updates, or clarification that became available or necessary after the initial document was completed. It is frequently used in legal contracts, reports, books, and technical manuals. The tone is formal and informative.

Example 1: Before signing, the real estate agent presented an addendum to the lease agreement detailing the pet policy.

Example 2: The research paper included an addendum with newly acquired data that further supported the original findings.

Example 3: The committee circulated an addendum to the meeting minutes, clarifying a point of discussion from the previous session.

What are the different forms of Addendum?

Similar to erratum, addendum is a Latin-derived noun. Its singular form is “addendum,” and its plural form is “addenda.” When referring to a single piece of added material, “addendum” is used. When referring to multiple pieces or a collection of added materials, “addenda” is appropriate.

• Singular: addendum
• Plural: addenda

Etymology of the word Addendum

The word addendum also originates from Latin. It is the neuter gerundive of the verb addere, meaning “to add.” Therefore, addendum literally translates to “that which is to be added” or “something to be added.” Its use in English began in the late 17th century.

How to Use Corrigendum

A corrigendum is a correction of an error made by the author of a work, which was then accurately reproduced by the publisher. These are substantive errors originating from the author’s manuscript, such as factual inaccuracies, incorrect citations, or misstatements of data. When an author discovers such an error after publication, they request a corrigendum to rectify it. This term is also highly formal and is almost exclusively found in academic and scientific publishing.

Example 1: The author submitted a corrigendum to the journal, admitting a miscalculation in the experimental results section.

Example 2: Following peer review, a corrigendum was issued for the textbook to correct several factual errors introduced by the primary author.

Example 3: The scientific community expected a corrigendum from the research team after a fundamental flaw in their methodology was identified.

What are the different forms of Corrigendum?

Corrigendum follows the same Latin pluralization pattern. Its singular form is “corrigendum,” and its plural form is “corrigenda.” As with “errata” and “addenda,” “corrigenda” is often used to refer to a list of corrections or a compilation of author-initiated rectifications.

• Singular: corrigendum
• Plural: corrigenda

Etymology of the word Corrigendum

The word corrigendum, like the others, comes from Latin. It is the neuter gerundive of the verb corrigere, meaning “to correct, set right, or reform.” Thus, corrigendum literally means “that which is to be corrected” or “something to be corrected.” It entered the English language around the same time as erratum and addendum.

Related Concepts

Understanding these terms is greatly enhanced by grasping broader concepts related to formal documentation, language origins, and publishing standards.

• Latin Plurals: Many English words, especially in academic and scientific fields, retain their original Latin plural forms. Recognizing patterns like -um (singular) to -a (plural) is crucial for correct usage of words like erratum/errata, addendum/addenda, and corrigendum/corrigenda, as well as others like datum/data and curriculum/curricula.
• Academic Publishing Ethics: The precise use of these terms reflects the high standards of accuracy and transparency in academic and scientific publishing. Clearly distinguishing between publisher errors, author errors, and supplementary information is vital for maintaining the integrity and credibility of published research and scholarly works.

Examples from Media and Literature

These terms are most commonly encountered in formal written contexts, particularly in academic journals, legal documents, and official publications.

• The Journal of Advanced Physics published an erratum in its June 2026 issue, correcting a mislabeled axis on a graph from a previous article.
• Lawyers often attach an addendum to contracts to clarify or modify terms without redrafting the entire document.
• After reviewing his manuscript prior to publication, the historian realized a critical date was incorrect and promptly submitted a corrigendum to the editor.
• Many older textbooks contain lists of errata at the beginning or end, detailing printing mistakes found in various editions.
• The architectural firm issued an addendum to the building plans, specifying a change in the type of insulation to be used.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The author had to submit a _______ to the journal because she discovered a factual error in her data analysis after publication.
2. Due to a printing oversight, the book’s index contained a major _______, making it difficult for readers to find topics.
3. The software license agreement included an _______ outlining the terms for future updates and support.
4. The research team issued a _______ for their paper, explaining that a critical equation had been transcribed incorrectly by the publishing house.
5. As new information became available, the project manager attached an _______ to the initial proposal, updating the budget estimates.

Answer Key

1. corrigendum
2. erratum
3. addendum
4. erratum
5. addendum

Erratum Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Misprint	A printing error.
Typo	A minor error in typing or transcribing text.
Error	A mistake.
Mistake	An action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.
Slip	A minor or careless mistake.

Addendum Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Appendix	Material added at the end of a book or document.
Supplement	Something added to complete or enhance something else.
Postscript	An additional remark at the end of a letter or book.
Rider	An additional clause added to a legislative bill or document.
Codicil	An addition or supplement that explains, modifies, or revokes a will or part of one.

Corrigendum Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Correction	The act of correcting or making right.
Revision	A change or alteration, especially a careful re-examination and improvement.
Amendment	A minor change or addition designed to improve a text or piece of legislation.
Rectification	The action of putting something right; correction.
Emendation	The process of making a revision or correction to a text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can an erratum also be a corrigendum?
No, by definition, they are mutually exclusive regarding the source of the error. An erratum corrects a publisher’s error, while a corrigendum corrects an author’s error. If an error is present, it will fall into one category or the other, but not both simultaneously for the same mistake.

Question 2: What is the difference between an addendum and an appendix?
Both addenda and appendices contain supplementary material. However, an addendum is typically added after the main document is finalized or published, often in response to new information or requirements. An appendix is usually planned and included as part of the original document’s structure, providing supporting details that are too extensive to be in the main body but are integral to the work.

Question 3: Are these terms only used in academic publishing?
While most prevalent in academic and scientific publishing, these terms can also appear in other formal contexts. Addendum is commonly used in legal documents (e.g., contracts, wills) and business reports. Erratum and corrigendum, while rarer outside academia, might be found in very formal government reports or highly technical manuals where precision in correcting errors is paramount.

Conclusion

Distinguishing between erratum, addendum, and corrigendum is crucial for clear and precise communication in formal contexts, particularly in publishing, legal, and academic fields. Remember that an erratum fixes publisher errors, an addendum adds new material, and a corrigendum corrects author errors. Mastering these nuances demonstrates a keen eye for detail and respect for accuracy in documentation.

Pro Tip: When referring to a list of corrections or additions, always use the correct plural forms: errata, addenda, and corrigenda. Using the singular form incorrectly for a collective list can undermine your professional credibility.