I discovered several years ago that there is a word for the grammar mistakes some people make when they try (perhaps subconsciously) to sound more formal or grand in their speech but simply end up with something that sounds grand to them, yet clearly wrong to grammar aficionados. I subsequently forgot this word and have been unable to find it again. Can anyone help me? (Hint: It's not malapropism)
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Hypercorrection? Such as "Please have dinner with my husband and I" or "Please contact John and myself"? – curious-proofreader Aug 25 '16 at 04:16
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@curious-proofreader that may be it. Thanks! – Larry McQueary Aug 25 '16 at 04:19
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@suməlic I would agree. – Larry McQueary Aug 25 '16 at 07:09
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The general term for the phenomenon is hypercorrection:
A non-standard usage that results from the over-application of a perceived rule of grammar or a usage prescription. A speaker or writer who produces a hypercorrection generally believes that the form is correct through misunderstanding of these rules, often combined with a desire to appear formal or educated.
[Per the linked Wikipedia article]
anemone
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The general term for mistakes based on attempts to conform to an often illusory 'correctness' is 'overcorrection'.
overcorrect
v.tr.
To correct beyond what is needed, appropriate, or usual, especially when resulting in a mistake.
v.intr.
To correct something to an excessive or unusual degree.
overcorrection, n.
(American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. "overcorrection." Retrieved August 25 2016 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/overcorrection.)
The equivalent specialized technical term in linguistics is 'hypercorrection'.
hypercorrection n.
1. A construction or pronunciation produced by mistaken analogy with standard usage out of a desire to be correct, as in the substitution of I for me in on behalf of my parents and I.
2. The production of such a construction or pronunciation.
(American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. "hypercorrection." Retrieved August 25 2016 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hypercorrection.)
While 'hypercorrection' is undoubtedly used with the colloquial general sense of 'overcorrection', it is ironic that such use is an example of itself in the lexical domain.
JEL
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