hypercorrection

[ hahy-per-kuh-rek-shuh n ]
/ ˌhaɪ pər kəˈrɛk ʃən /

noun Linguistics.

the substitution, in an inappropriate context, of a pronunciation, grammatical form, or usage thought by the speaker or writer to be appropriate, resulting usually from overgeneralizing in an effort to replace seemingly incorrect forms with correct ones, as the substitution of between you and I for between you and me, by analogy with you and I as the subject of a sentence.
the form so substituted.
Compare hyperform, hyperurbanism.

Origin of hypercorrection

First recorded in 1930–35; hyper- + correction

Words nearby hypercorrection

hyperchromic anemia, hyperchylia, hyperchylomicronemia, hyperconscious, hypercorrect, hypercorrection, hypercortisolism, hypercritic, hypercritical, hypercriticism, hypercryesthesia

Example sentences from the Web for hypercorrection

British Dictionary definitions for hypercorrection

hypercorrection
/ (ˌhaɪpəkəˈrɛkʃən) /

noun

a mistaken correction to text or speech made through a desire to avoid nonstandard pronunciation or grammar ``between you and I'' is a hypercorrection of ``between you and me''