It's just between you and I.

Mama’s Losin’ It

Mama Kat told me to write about my pet peeve.  Really, you only have to ask once.

Hypercorrection: Hypercorrection is what occurs when someone deliberately tries to avoid making an error in the use of language but overcompensates and in so doing makes another error.  Basically, it means you use grammar that sounds all fancy-like but is totally wrong.  

I literally got chills typing the post title.

I'll admit, I'm a bit of a grammar freak.

Now don't go at my post with your red pen and tell me I use too many commas or use an occasional sentence fragment or a run-on sentence or paragraphs that are too short.

I know.

I know the rules and break them on purpose, which is totally acceptable.

It's called a VOICE, people, and I'm slowly finding mine.

Anyway, bad grammar makes me wince, but nothing is as absolutely grating as hypercorrection.

When I hear that, it says to me that you WANT to sound educated, smart, and grammatically superior, but that you cannot be bothered to LEARN THE FREAKIN' RULES.

Let me give you an example.

"He invited Susie and I to the party."


It should be:

"He invited Susie and me to the party."

Since we're on the subject, let me give you a few more examples of what NOT to do.

"Hypercorrection is the most irritating thing to we grammar freaks."

"A message came for he and I."

"Whomever said that you couldn't go?"

Should be:

"Hypercorrection is the most irritating thing to us grammar freaks."

"A message came for him and me."

"Whoever said that you couldn't go?"

Ok, I'll stop for now.  On the off chance that you haven't already quit reading this post and clicked over to something that's actually entertaining, like Charlie Sheen's latest antics, I'll leave you with this.

The shirt I just happened to be wearing as I wrote this post.
Be afraid.  Be very afraid.


  1. hahaha! I love it!

    It kind of drives me insane when I stop by a blog who has not taken the time to proofread. Yes, I make mistakes in my posts sometimes, but I spend a good deal proofreading.

    Stopping by from Mama Kat's!

  2. I love the shirt. I am afraid. Really really afraid.

  3. OK, this is getting a little freaky. I am totally the grammar Nazi / English teacher wannabe in my family and circle of friends. I correct the verb tenses in my husband's texts, for the love of God! If you were a whole bunch older and didn't do that crazy "running when no one is chasing you" shit I would be sure we were twins separated at birth.

  4. @Kate, I have un-followed many a blog for that very reason.

    @JDaniel4's Mom, fear is a natural instinct that tells you you should run. :)

    @Angie, Plus, you do the whole "I work around doctors and deal with sick people all day" gig. I'm one of those people who hasn't been to the doctor (except when pregnant) since my hair was bigger than my a$$. Other than that, though, we're like two peas in a pod :)

  5. Honestly, I almost didn't read your post when I saw the title!

  6. I have an English degree, but I still make tons of mistakes... probably because I always have kiddos interrupting me.

  7. And, I'm convinced that you and Angie sit around and read my blog and laugh ......

    Love you anyway!


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