Correcting People’s Grammar
This video was made by Ashley from Writing to Reach You.
How do you feel about correcting other people’s grammar?
This video was made by Ashley from Writing to Reach You.
How do you feel about correcting other people’s grammar?
March 16th, 2009 at 4:51 am
I admit, I sometimes correct the grammar of others… BUT usually when they’re younger than I am. My brother, for instance, is constantly saying, “gotten,” as in “I gotten ready yesterday.” He’s thirteen, so I figure he should realize that he SHOULDN’T say “gotten.” So, I correct him. He continues to say it, however.
When I was younger, I would correct my parents as well. I’ve not done that in a while, though for the simple fact that it always got me in trouble. Or, you know, GOTTEN me in trouble. Whatever.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:22 am
I will correct someone’s grammar if the “impropriety” is very obvious, and would reflect poorly on the writer. One can minimize the discomfort factor by comparing it to informing someone that they have spinach in their teeth, or their zipper open, or bra showing. You’re being a friend looking out for their interests.
If the question as to the propriety or impropriety is a close call, I will leave it alone, unless it distracts the reader, or causes what I call a “hiccup.” A hiccup makes the reader say to him or herself, “Is this correct?”
Finally, my Mother was an English teacher. Everyone time that I used improper grammar, she corrected me on the spot. Every time that I asked her a question, she told me to look it up in the encyclopedia or dictionary. She gave me a dictionary for a Christmas present, which I did not appreciate at the time, as an 8 or 9 year old kid. As a result, I feel a tremendous internal pressure to use proper grammar.
I taught English at a local community college, and at the beginning of each class, I had my students vote as to whether I could correct their grammar in front of the others. However, I told them that I would do so only if every single person in the class agreed. If there was one “no” vote, we would not do it. Additionally, I always walked out of the class when the vote was being taken, in order to avoid embarrassing any single student.
Every single time they granted me “auto-correction” authority.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:40 am
That’s a really interesting approach to take in a class. I’ll have to keep that in mind.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Here’s the thing, my grammar is horrific. I welcome corrections. I’ve been told that when I talk, I’m fine. However, when I write for some reason it’s not the same. What’s frustrating is that I understand grammar (somewhat). But when writing and editing, I visually can’t see it. FTL
March 16th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Well, I’m all about correcting people who want to be corrected. I often enjoy talking about grammar and there aren’t a lot of outlets for that!
But, I’ve had a few people tell me they want to be corrected, and then clearly don’t like it when I do. I’ve also had people hand me their papers and say to correct whatever I see, but then when I hand back a fully marked up page, they don’t look so happy!
I admire people who can take that kind of criticism constructively, though.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I know I’m bad. I may get frustrated at times because I would debate in my head of what would be grammatically correct and then choose the wrong one. But that’s directed towards me. For me, it’s more important that people tell me I’m wrong so I can recognize it in the future. Maybe one day I’ll see my mistakes. I hope
March 16th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Though I’ll admit this. I know how to properly use “who”, “of whom”, “to whom”, “whom”, “abl. whom”
March 16th, 2009 at 6:34 am
I don’t typically correct other people’s grammar. I’m usually the one being corrected. Grammar and I have a somewhat complicated relationship. Neither of us like each other. But that’s another story.
Honestly, I could care less if people were to correct me. An awkward moment would surely arise, but oh well. You kind of have to know when and where to make the correction though. My little sister usually corrects me, because she is a grammar nazi. But she usually jokes about the correction, admitting that she is a grammar nazi. I’m ok with that.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I am a self-proclaimed grammar snob. I can’t stand when things are spelled incorrectly or punctuation is wrong. Drives me up a wall. Most of the time, I say nothing. I’m not a rock-the-boat type of a girl. However, at work, I’ve started letting my corrections slip. I work in the software business, and most of my coworkers couldn’t care less about their grammar. Either that, or they just don’t know. I’ve decided that I’d rather correct someone’s work than send something to a client with an obvious misspelling.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am
When it’s work, then sometimes you have to say something. I agree. In that case, it’s not just picking.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:33 am
If its in a joking manner, then I will correct someone. Especially my more intelligent friends. For the most part, I completely agree with you. If its solicited advice, then sure, I’ll help, but if it isn’t, then I don’t offer it.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:42 am
My friend Lisa and I make fun of each other all the time for grammar mistakes, but it’s definitely understood that we’re joking and they are usually slips and not a matter of one of us not knowing the proper grammar. We’ve invented all kinds of new words and phrases with our mistakes!
March 16th, 2009 at 8:48 am
“Grammar Nazi,” that’s an interesting phrase.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:24 am
I love grammar. My mom also corrected me all the time when I was growing up. As a result not only have those rules become engrained in me, but also that it’s okay to correct people. I have slowly learned that is not always the case. People do find it really obnoxious when you correct their grammar unsolicited.
A few years ago, I made a list of my personality flaws (long story, it’s one for another prompt) and on it I listed corrects the grammar of other people. People whom I’ve corrected wholeheartedly supported that bullet point. As a result, I try not to correct people anymore. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from cringing at texts or facebook messages saying “your awesome.”
March 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I think once you ease up and stop correcting people, the need to do so slowly passes away. You don’t stop seeing the mistakes, but you stop letting them bother you. That happened for me, anyway.
This might be counterproductive, but aside from things like “your awesome,” I absolutely hate to see my adult friends write sentences with zero punctuation. It’s hard for me not to say something then.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I totally agree with you, Ashley. I think grammar is important, but not so important that it should be corrected in everyday conversation or informal types of writing. Let people express themselves however they want regardless of whether or not they’re following all the rules. There is, however, a place and time for grammar correction. Nothing bugs me more than reading a book with grammatical errors in it. Copyeditors are supposed to catch those mistakes and there’s no excuse for that.
March 18th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Ugh, I think it’s obnoxious. My sister does this all the time and it’s just plain rude, and like Ashley mentioned in her video, it puts a damper on the rest of the conversation!
March 9th, 2010 at 10:33 am
My boyfriend and I got into a fight last night about my habit of correcting his (and anyone else’s) grammar and usage mistakes. I appreciate when someone tells me I am pronouncing a word incorrectly or if I make a spelling error, and my mother corrected me also. I know it’s a nasty trait and I would like to stop, but I don’t know how to change my perspective and behavior. Suggestions greatly appreciated!