Corrigendum vs. Addendum — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 17, 2024
A corrigendum is a correction to an error, while an addendum is an addition or supplement.
Difference Between Corrigendum and Addendum
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Corrigendum is primarily focused on correcting mistakes in a document, such as typos or inaccuracies. It's a way to acknowledge and rectify errors after the document has been published. An addendum, on the other hand, serves to include information that was omitted or has become relevant after the initial publication. It adds rather than corrects content.
Corrigendums are often issued in academic, legal, and official publications to maintain the integrity of the text. They ensure the accuracy of the information presented. Addendums, however, are more flexible and can be used in various contexts, including contracts, reports, and books, to update or provide additional details.
The issuance of a corrigendum usually highlights the commitment to factual correctness and transparency. It's a matter of rectifying what was wrong. Whereas the addendum reflects the dynamic nature of information, acknowledging that new insights or conditions can emerge, necessitating updates to the original document.
While corrigendums are reactive, addressing errors already made, addendums are proactive, enhancing the document with new or missed information without correcting past mistakes. This distinction underscores the different purposes they serve in the lifecycle of a document.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Corrects errors
Adds information
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Nature
Reactive
Proactive
Usage
After errors are discovered
When new information arises
Context
Academic, legal texts
Contracts, books, reports
Implication
Acknowledges inaccuracies
Expands on existing content
Compare with Definitions
Corrigendum
A notice correcting errors in a book.
The publisher issued a corrigendum for the textbook to address the misprinted equations.
Addendum
An appendix or annex in a book.
The author added an addendum to include recent research findings.
Corrigendum
Rectification of errors in documents.
The legal document's corrigendum addressed several typographical errors.
Addendum
A supplement or addition to a document.
The contract included an addendum outlining the extended scope of work.
Corrigendum
An amendment for a published mistake.
The journal published a corrigendum to correct the author's name.
Addendum
An extension to a legal document.
The agreement had an addendum that specified the new terms.
Corrigendum
An official correction to a publication.
The government released a corrigendum to amend the statistical error in the report.
Addendum
Additional information added to a report.
An addendum was attached to the report to cover the latest market trends.
Corrigendum
Correction slip for errors in printed material.
A corrigendum slip was included in the latest edition of the dictionary.
Addendum
A supplementary attachment to a document.
The teacher provided an addendum with extra reading materials for the course.
Corrigendum
An error to be corrected, especially a printer's error.
Addendum
An addendum or appendix, in general, is an addition required to be made to a document by its author subsequent to its printing or publication. It comes from the Latin gerundive addendum, plural addenda, "that which is to be added," from addere (lit. ''give toward'', compare with memorandum, agenda, corrigenda).
Corrigendum
Corrigenda A list of errors in a book along with their corrections.
Addendum
An item of additional material added at the end of a book or other publication.
Corrigendum
An error that is to be corrected in a printed work after publication.
Addendum
The radial distance from the pitch circle of a cogwheel or wormwheel to the crests of the teeth or ridges.
Corrigendum
A list of errors in a printed work as a separate page of corrections.
Addendum
Something added or to be added, especially a supplement to a book.
Corrigendum
A fault or error to be corrected.
Addendum
Something to be added; especially text added as an appendix or supplement to a document.
Corrigendum
A correction of an error, especially in a printed document.
Addendum
A postscript.
Corrigendum
A printer's error; to be corrected
Addendum
(engineering) The height by which the tooth of a gear projects beyond (outside for external, or inside for internal) the standard pitch circle or pitch line.
Addendum
A thing to be added; an appendix or addition.
Addendum
Textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
Common Curiosities
Can an addendum change the original contract terms?
Yes, an addendum can modify, add to, or clarify terms in the original contract.
How is an addendum different from an amendment?
An addendum adds to the existing content without altering the original, while an amendment may change or revise existing terms.
Can a corrigendum and an addendum be part of the same document?
Yes, a document can have both a corrigendum to correct errors and an addendum to add information.
Can an addendum be issued after a contract is signed?
Yes, an addendum can be added to a contract post-signature, usually with agreement from all parties.
Are corrigendums common in digital publications?
Yes, digital publications also issue corrigendums, especially in academic and professional fields.
Is a corrigendum necessary for minor errors?
Necessity depends on the document's context; in formal and academic works, even minor errors often warrant a corrigendum.
How do I know if a document has an addendum?
Documents with addendums usually indicate this within the main body or table of contents.
Who is responsible for issuing a corrigendum?
The responsibility typically falls on the publisher or author of the original document.
Are corrigendums bad for reputation?
While they acknowledge errors, timely corrigendums can also reflect commitment to accuracy and integrity.
Is there a limit to the number of addendums a document can have?
There's no fixed limit, but excessive addendums might indicate poor initial planning or drafting.
Do all books have corrigendums?
Not all books have corrigendums; they are issued only if significant errors are found post-publication.
Does an addendum need to be signed?
In legal contexts, addendums often require signatures to be legally binding, similar to the original document.
Can a corrigendum be issued for online content?
Yes, online content can be corrected through a corrigendum, often noted in the document's revision history.
How quickly are corrigendums issued after an error is found?
The timeline varies based on the error's impact and the publication's urgency to correct it.
Can addendums be used to extend deadlines in contracts?
Yes, addendums can modify contract terms, including extending deadlines or changing deliverables.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
