HYPERCORRETION

ON HYPERCORRECTION IN ENGLISH

Sometimes, we use ungrammatical and inappropriate sentences in an attempt to adhere to the rules of the English language. This act is known as hypercorrection. Some instances of hypercorrection among Nigerians are:

1. Excessive application of the first rule of concord: singular subject takes a singular verb. Example: GAB teaches English.

Many people who have mastered this rule do not know that the pronoun “I” is an exception. So, say: I sing well (not, I sings well).

2. Excessive application of tense markers: Main verbs are not used in the past form when they are preceded by auxiliaries: How did it go (not, How did it went)?

3. The wrong use of subjective pronouns after prepositions. The subjective pronouns: I, He, She and They should not be used after prepositions: Between you and me, did I really offend you (not, between you and I).

Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (GAB)
Academic Advisor, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan;
&
Doctoral Student of English, University of Ibadan.