Do you correct an adult if they say a word or words wrong?

1. 63

   rutleyposted 12 years ago

   Do you correct an adult if they say a word or words wrong?
   
   If they used it in the wrong way or just pronounced it wrong.  For instance, I had a pacific gold instead of specific goal.  Toys and us instead toys r us, briggs and stratton instead braxton hicks contractions, (one's an engine), the other has to do with pregnancy.  Even if you know the person and it's not your kid.

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2. 80

   pstraubie48posted 12 years ago

   if i ever do it, it is someone i know well . and i never ever do it in from of someone else.

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3. 73

   thesingernurseposted 12 years ago

   Probably. But he has to be someone I know well. And I won't do it in front of other people. The correction must occur only between the two of us.

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4. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I try not to but sometimes I can't help it.  The woman I work with has a Master's Degree and the words that come out of her mouth are often no where near correct--and I cannot figure out how this happens with an education.
   
   I try very hard not to correct her but when she used the word facade - correctly pronounced fuh-sahd - and actually pronounced it like it is spelled - FA CADE....I had to speak up.
   
   So I am guilty.  But I also would want someone to let me know if I am using something incorrectly because you end up looking very foolish if you continuously misuse words.

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5. 61

   fpherj48posted 12 years ago

   First of all......in my experience, there are far more ADULTS who brutalize our beautiful English language than there are "kids."  One can somewhat expect that children are STILL learning.  However, if you went to school at all and are past the age of High School (18?), there is NO EXUSE to speak or write like a moron.  Although mis-use/abuse of grammar, ignorance of sentence structure and poor spelling skills are an extreme annoyance to me, I rarely, if ever, correct someone.  I make an exception for family and close friends, who will actually "appreciate" being corrected.  As I see it, we are all taught properly and well.  It is OUR native tongue.  If one does not care enough about how (s)he speaks, does not have the motivation & self-respect to LEARN, although sad, this is not my problem nor responsibility.  Unfortunately, these English-killers delude themselves by believing it does not "matter."   Let me CORRECT such an inexcusable attitude.  THE WAY YOU SPEAK, THE DEGREE OF YOUR COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, YOUR WRITING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF WORDS SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT YOU!!  I find it nearly impossible to lend any credibility whatsoever to WHAT someone says to me when they cannot  SPEAK PROPERLY.   "He don't know nuthin bout them things over there, so I ain't axin him no questions. I'll just get aggervated."   The only response I would have to this would be to walk away and roll my eyes.....in that order.

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6. 0

   Emily Sparksposted 12 years ago

   No, not usually.  I do not feel it is my place if they are my elder:)

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7. 59

   Hestia DeVotoposted 12 years ago

   I do correct adults, and I have done it in front of other people when the situation and necessity of understanding warranted it.  And I've also been the recipient of the same sort of correction.

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8. 77

   teaches12345posted 12 years ago

   It depends on the adult and the situation. I don't want to offend someone who is trying to express themself and needs a listening ear.  Sometimes its not worth the correction.  Good question.

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9. 96

   eugbugposted 12 years ago

   I wouldn't do it very often and it depends on the person. Some people are very defensive and would take offense at the very notion of you correcting them since they know they are always right so what's the point arguing with them? If someone was reading a passage out loud from a book or an instruction manual and was pronouncing the words incorrectly or having difficulty getting their tongue around them, I would help.

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10. 72

    lburmasterposted 12 years ago

    Yes. I correct everyone and people should correct me. I would like to know when I am wrong so I don't do it again.

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11. 60

    Cassie Annposted 12 years ago

    Never in public but I have corrected those close to me a few times. Mostly, I let it slide usually because the person will repeat their wrong pronunciation or incorrectly used word and then it would become redundant. Your example is funny to me because I work at Briggs and Stratton ;-).

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12. 68

    VendettaVixenposted 12 years ago

    Hmm, good question. Usually I would, as I'd want someone to do the same for me, and I'd always do it in a friendly way (unless I really don't like this particular person.)
    I have an aunt who always mis-pronounces things (the blink of suicide - it's supposed to be brink, he was looming - supposed to be fuming, etc) but she's always really nice to me, and she's my godson's mother, so I can't bring myself to do it, even though I do flinch internally.
    
    But yes, to sum it up - I'd usually correct someone who's pronouncing something incorrectly, using a double negative, etc.

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13. 60

    wetnosedogsposted 12 years ago

    Part of the fun in my family is correcting someone's English. We make it a fun thing where we all learn something.
    
    I have a co-worker who is a grammar nut and he is very good at it. Misuse of words drive him crazy and you will hear a speech about it pretty soon.
    
    I enjoy this all because I know my grammar is lousy and sometimes I don't know why, but I learn a lot from these two extensions that like to play with the English language.

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14. 60

    bloggernotjoggerposted 12 years ago

    You have to be careful about that. People are sensitive about their English.  I often correct people when I should let things go.

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15. 60

    Princess Priscaposted 12 years ago

    
    
    Yes, I do correct improper language usage.  Depending on the person, I will do it publicly or privately.

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16. 82

    phdast7posted 12 years ago

    fpherj48-     I am in agreement with almost everything you wrote, but unless I am mistaken (and I could be I suppose)  in an email or on the internet, using ALL CAPS is like screaming or shouting at someone.   Why are you shouting at us?
    
    To answer the original question, like a lot of you, whether I correct someone depends on how well I know them, whether I can do it privately or quietly, and whether I think they are the kind of person who wants to improve and will appreciate the correction.
    
    Personally, I always want to be corrected, because that is how my speech and vocabulary improve.   I make sure my friends and acquaintances know that and I make sure I both laugh at, and learn from, my mistakes.
    
    White space is a wonderful thing; check out the Hub by Aloscin.   Good stuff.

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