hypercorrection
- noun
- /ˌhaɪpərkəˈrɛkʃən/
- Specialized
:
hipercorrección
- This one is a hypercorrection; we used the subjunctive when it was not wanted.
Examples
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Technically, that's an incorrect hypercorrection, but it seems nicer sounding than sharktopodes; it is for research and analysis.
Blog text (33) -
Technically, that's an incorrect hypercorrection, but it seems nicer sounding than sharktopodes.
Blog text (33) -
A common hypercorrection is using 'whom' instead of 'who' when 'who' is the correct choice.
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She avoided hypercorrection by carefully reviewing her grammar before submitting the essay.
-
Many language learners make hypercorrections, mistakenly applying rules they don't fully understand.
Synonyms
1
7.2
To follow a rule too strictly and make a new mistake in speech or writing
How Accurate
Surface Forms
Morphology
hypercorrection = correction (transparent) = hyper + correct + ion
The word is built transparently from hyper- meaning 'excessive' plus correction, so its sense is broadly predictable.
Etymology
The word hypercorrection comes from the prefix hyper-, meaning 'too much', and the word correct, which means 'to make right'. So, a hypercorrection is when someone corrects too much and ends up making a new mistake.