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0 pointsmaxfan85y ago0 comments

The correct term for this is hypercorrect (this is more accurate description of this phenomenon than “less/more correct”). [1]

I’m trying not to quibble over language — just wanted to note that this is a well-documented phenomenon with a fancy name (I’m not an English teacher).

[1]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercorrection

Edit: I clarified what I meant to say. Earlier it said “more correct” rather than “less/more” correct.

0 comments

kyralis5y ago

That's actually the opposite problem. The example given there (which matches the description) is the use of "a friend and I" in object position, not subject position (as is the case here) due to over application of the actual rule that one should use "I" and not "me" when in subject position.

I'm not sure that this qualifies for the same, since it seems unlikely to be the result of overgeneralization of rule so much as a simple (and common) mistake.

maxfan8OP5y ago

Right, thanks — that’s what I meant to say. I just edited the comment to fix the mistake.

You’re totally correct!

spanhandler5y ago

No, this is correct. Hypercorrection for this rule usually comes in the form of saying or writing things like, "would you like to come with Tom and I to the park?" due to not understanding why the rule exists, and just blindly following the pattern.

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