Hypercorrection

Hypercorrection is overcorrection. It's when you realize you have been doing something wrong (linguistically) and you make an effort to correct it and "speak correctly". But in the process you haven't really understood the rule and begin to apply it willy-nilly all over the place even when you shouldn't be applying it!

An example is the use of "whom" when "who" is the correct form, as in 'Whom do you think will be invited to the party this weekend?'

Another example is seen in learners of English. They may learn a particular irregular verb pattern but apply it to the wrong verbs. "I have boughten a lot of books today" or "I wrang out the wet rag" are examples.

CJ

hi

these are all good examples of hypercorrection.

As someone whose name begins with "H" a constant source of irritation! When spelling my name over the 'phone to hear "Harry" (for example) repeated as HAITCH> A< R< R< Y.

I believe that "wrong" usage of "whom" and certain pronouns in the "wrong" positions is a natural consequence of there being no actual strong pattern to their usage outside of grammar books.

"Haitch" is seen as a kind of low-level thing to say, isn't it?

Other examples posted here all seem more like examples of buggering up, rather than hypercorrection. Perhaps the "awfully" example might be an exception, but the others don't make me think "Hmmm, sounds sorta posh" particularly.