Do you ever correct people's English?

[Anonymous]

Within my family, I do. Sometimes I think it's endearing depending on what's said.

Out of my family, no. But secretly I think less of the person in question... and yes, I know that's mean.

[Anonymous]

Nope, I would never correct a friend. However, I would correct a sister/mom/my DH.

[Anonymous]

There have been instances over the years when I have corrected my young staffers when they have repeatedly used a word incorrectly. I have a long track record around here of promoting the professional development of the twentysomethings who work for me, so they know I have their backs and want to help them earn the respect of those around them. We have these conversations in private, and it appears to me that they are grateful to hear it.

[Anonymous]

My mother spoke/wrote perfect English and never went to college. I cringe every time someone uses improper grammar, and of course, I think of dear old mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an editor, so I WANT to correct everybody. But I do it only with my husband and my parents. Especially pronunciation of proper names--the person will hear it enough times and get it eventually. I think I might have corrected a close friend who had just moved here and pronounced Clarendon "clair-EN-don."

Proper names can be especially tricky. How on Earth are you supposed to know that McLean is actually "mc-LAIN", not "mac-LEEN", if you don't live here?

[Anonymous]

My grammar isn't the best either but I simply can't help correcting glaring mistakes. I know it's rude but at least I limit myself to family and close friends.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't correct grammar except my husband and parents. My parents aren't well educated, and I know my mom in particular worries about her grammar. However, I only correct pretty glaring issues that I think actually make a person seem less intelligent. Grammar issues that are technically incorrect but generally accepted in everyday conversation I wouldn't bother with. And I'd never do it in front of others.

But on mispronounciation, I might. I guess that's because I prefer to be corrected. A lot of words I've read but never heard (quinoa is a good example) or have kind of random local dialects (McLean, Worcester). I don't want to go around mispronouncing something.

Also, I used to call Chick Fil A "Chick-ah-fill-ah." I think I just glanced at it quickly and didn't take the time to read it carefully. A friend finally pointed it out to me, and since no one else had, I'd had no idea I'd been pronouncing it incorrectly.

[Anonymous]

I correct my husband now because DS is starting to imitate some of his grammar mistakes, but only at home. I'd never embarrass him by doing in front of anyone but my son. I gave him the head's up that I'd be doing it, so I could explain that I was noticing DS imitating him more and more. DH is a smart an talented guy who has made a lot of himself, but he grew up attending a rotten neighborhood school and his parents didn't model good grammar.

I don't take it for granted that DS will automatically speak like me rather than DH. My dad's family had ten boys and five girls (Catholic, farm), and his father had poor grammar while his mother had perfect grammar. My dad and his brothers all speak like my grandfather, and his sisters all speak like my grandmother.

[Anonymous]

Not unless I am asked. The only people I have known to do this had terrible grammar skills. I do wonder if they are corrected all the time so they think it's fine to do it others. In one case, the person was a foreigner and would make a point to correct native born speakers even when what she said was wrong. That was pretty insulting.

[Anonymous]

My boss corrected my grammar today. Can you believe it? I was stunned.

[Anonymous]

Pp, why are you stunned that your boss corrected your grammar? Was he or she right?