Hypercorrection: Definition and Examples
Do you ever find yourself reaching for a word that you’re not really sure how to use, but it sounds more intellectual so you go for it? Many of us have made such hypercorrections before, when we incorrectly used a term or phrase that we thought sounded right, but actually was an overreach. In this post, we’ll look at some common examples of hypercorrections and what you should really write or say instead. What Is a Hypercorrection? A hypercorrection is the incorrect use or pronunciation of a word based on the perception that the hypercorrection is more prestigious, formal, or appropriate. Basically, it’s when you try to sound like a smarty pants but don’t really know what you’re saying or why, other than you think it sounds smarter. You overcompensate in your effort to avoid an error, and actually make an error. In many cases, you might make a hypercorrection because you know the rules of your language, but you apply them in more cases than you actually should. Hypercorrec...