Do you correct people who mispronounce words or use the incorrect words when speaking to you?

Question

This has happened to me before, and it's quite embarrassing when someone corrects me. However, this is constructive criticism, and I have learned from it, but it's still embarrassing.

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

I rarely correct pronunciation, unless their pronunciation could be interpreted as another word, not the word they intend.

I sometimes correct an incorrect usage of a word, especially if the word they are using causes confusion. That often happens if they use the wrong tense of a verb.

Iron_Man · Accepted Answer

Yes Bannar

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

I approach this with sensitivity. If the context is professional or educational, I may gently correct someone, emphasizing it's a learning opportunity. It's important to foster a supportive environment. However, in casual conversations, I usually let it pass unless the person explicitly seeks feedback. We all learn and grow through mistakes, and maintaining a comfortable interaction is key.

Anonymous · Answer

Sort of. I try to be subtle about it, or show that I’m not trying to be rude or overly pompous about it. I also try to go with “the spirit” of the conversation. If it sounds ok, and I get the point, I usually won’t make an issue of it.

My nephew (13) kept saying about a friend “‘me and him’ did this.” ‘Me and him went to the ballgame.’ I let it go, because I knew what he was trying to say (and he gets “corrected” a lot (Even when he’s fine, or he had a point), so I try not to seem like I always get on his case about “small things.”

While it annoys me a bit, I also try to realize I am not perfect (even with spelling or grammar) so I try not to come across as saying “I’m so superior” to this person.

There’s not much of a difference in how I approach correcting kids vs adults.

I was a ESL student assistant, I have proofread friend’s books (nothing famous)… and I used to teach a few years ago (though it was art)… When I taught art, I’d try to teach a little bit outside the subject (when things came up). I’d try to help with teaching about life (while being appropriate)… sometimes it’d be something like “I always have trouble with multiplying by nine…” (Ok, you want to learn a cool trick to make sure the answer’s right when you’re multiplying by nine?). Sometimes, it’d be something grammatical - so I’d offer to help with “tips & tricks.” I was always decent at reading and writing, and if there was “a cheat code” to making something easier, I try to be open to learning it… so that’s the way I’d handle teaching.

:: a student keeps using “an” or “a” incorrectly:: “Ok… small thing… you want to learn a cool trick to figuring out if you say ‘a’ or ‘an’?”

Usually, kids were open to it. (They probably forget it a week later, but at least they have the reason and thinking behind it).

With adults, I try to offer help when they complain something isn’t working (especially if I feel like I have a lot of experience with solving their problem (to show I also know what I’m talking about, I’m not just correcting to correct)). The approach isn’t much different when they use bad grammar… though a lot of the time, unlike the kids, adults usually don’t want to learn. They don’t want the advice… or they ignore it (and ignoring it usually keeps them failing), so I’ve learned how to OFFER to help, and past that, if they don’t want the help, I try to let things go. They’re the ones who have to deal with their own choices.

I may also try to correct them in a subtle way, though, even if it’s not a “teaching” moment.

“I am so nauseous right now.” (Nauseous; an adjective that describes something that CAUSES nausea or sickness. Nauseated; an adjective that describes someone who is feeling sick to their stomach). (This person is saying “I am making others so sick right now” as opposed to “my stomach is queasy”) “Sorry you feel so nauseated…do you want some crackers?”

“I literally couldn’t get out of bed this morning…” (they mean figuratively). ::my eye starts twitching as I try to forget it.::

Sometimes, I’ll yell at the tv ::commercial:: “This woman was limited BY her mobility.” (NO, SHE wasn't! She had LIMITED MOBILITY! She was limited by her lack of mobility, fine… but she wasn’t limited by her mobility!)

Now, I tend to rip people more if they’re bullying someone else (or me); I LOVE when people comment that someone is “so stupid,” but they use are COMPLETELY wrong (They themselves can’t even get the grammar speaking the language their whole lives).

I was playing a game; the game is like the “One Night” series of games (or like the party games: Werewolf, Mafia, etc); but this is a video game. In the game, some people have the power to “kill you” and you become a ghost (You can chat with other players who have been killed, watch the game, you just can’t really do much past that). I tried a bluff to hide my role, got killed. Bluffing can work, it’s a decent strategy; but it can have its flaws.

Someone texts me “(avatar name), your an f***ing idoit moran” to me. I’m the moron, but the only thing he spelled correctly was the expletive. I’M THE MORON? At least I know how to type a sentence in English. If you’re going to call me an idiot, or insult my intelligence, at LEAST make sure your grammar and spelling are correct. (“If you’re going to insult me, do it properly” - Mike Wazowski; Monsters Inc).

There’s also when I’m alone or with other grammar nerds: (reading a homemade sign on a car in February) “It’s congenial heart defect week.” “That’s nice!” (they meant congenital. Congenial is something happy… or pleasant because you agree with it… congenital is a usually a disease, abnormality (or trait) someone has had since birth. Similar words, bad spelling, completely different meaning. There, I tend to make fun of something poorly written.

Bricealan · Answer

@sage2021 You should consider it rude for someone to do that, Who decides what is the correct way to pronounce something? My wife was the worst, with a rather vulgar way to demonstrate, when she made wise cracks about pronouncing 'clitoris'. I had to lower myself to dig into my computer and 'ask' for the different ways to pronounce the word and then putting it in her face to show how rude she was to correct me.

A rather crude way to demonstrate my point, but non-the-less, it is/was true.

Hope not TMI

CaptainSmartass · Answer

Nope. That sort of thing's kinda rude. But it does annoy me when people merge two words together, like "a lot" and "a bit". It's not some sort of highbrow esoteric foreign phrase like "ministerium fur staatssicherheit".

Simples...

jmr2191 · Answer

When I was younger, I did, but it's become a fool's errand. But it's not worth the headache and what's important is I understand what's intended to be communicated. When I need clarity and ask for it, people are usually more appreciative. It's a question of which battles to pick, which hills you're willing to die on...

Lliam · Answer

I would never do it in public and would rarely do it to anyone but my wife.

My wife was raised in Cincinnati. One of the ones I can remember is, when she said something was greasy, she would pronounce it "greezy". There have been a few others.
She still says "um'brella" with the accent on the U.
She often asks me how to pronounce words she reads in books and articles that are new to her.

Seangreen · Answer

Well if I was sat down over at the table and you would have told me no you were sitting down over at the table I'd get very upset well actually I wouldn't because Americans don't usually make that grammar mistake but people from the UK constantly do in fact it's almost become the new case tensor whatever it's called I'm really don't know what that is actually called to be honest but whatever

On_cloud_wine · Answer

I deal with constructive criticism with my job all the time and I’m not embarrassed at all. We’re constantly learning so take it in like a sponge. Stay humble and curious

RavVid · Answer

Only if I don't understand the word being said. One of the blessings of English is that different countries develop different vowel sounds to keep it interesting.

SphynxUK · Answer

No. It’s rude. I’d only comment jokingly to those very close to me.

Simslover92 · Answer

Yes I do and I expect to have them do the same to me.

UpaRupa · Answer

Sometimes if it can be done in a classy or non embarrassing way. Such that they can catch a hint without feeling called out. Often no becouse I don't care that much.

qwerty2469 · Answer

No. Grammar and spelling is so pointless in communication that its not even in IQ tests. Outside of 2nd grade its completely useless. Hell most the time Grammar and spelling mistakes are forced on us by Artificial Intelligence and auto incorrect

exitseven · Answer

sometimes I do. I hate to sound like a preachy know it all but sometimes I just cannot help it.

Miah06 · Answer

Just in class. But it's kinda my job. I will also correct them if they mispronounce my first name. But that's all.

LiamJHayden · Answer

If I do, not publicly, and if I understand what the person is meaning to say I just let it go.

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

Nope it's beneficial for me when i'm learning to speak other languages...

FreyaRed · Answer

No. Professional jargon in my profession is filled with German and English terms people spell often wrong. I gave just up at some point.

Bloodparadise · Answer

I try to correct it because language is extremely important to me

Greek_goddess_Iris · Answer

Yes. Which is ironic because English isn't even my first language. But apparently Americans can't speak there own language.

Kayla45 · Answer

Not very often… especially for sites like g@g that have no functionality to edit comments for errors.

stayorgo · Answer

I really don't do it I don't. But I will actually thank the person who's doing it to me

Anonymous · Answer

Sometimes I do, but not in public, it's rude.,

Anonymous · Answer

No, it is rude to not care enough to use correct grammar, but it is more rude to correct someone publicly.

IknowthatIdontKnow09 · Answer

My sister sometimes ask me the correct spelling of some English words

Surely · Answer

Usually only to clarify what they mean. If what they say could have a different meaning when pronounced incorrectly.

nonovava · Answer

that depends. but mostly if i think i should do something, i would use the correct form in my sentences, not obviously ofc, so they can hear it.

MemeSupreme · Answer

if its really poorly said i will lol

douride2 · Answer

I try not to be like this.

MysticDevice · Answer

I do this all the time.

Levin · Answer

Yes. I do it with Americans.

queenofcardio · Answer

No. I don't care.

beenherebefore · Answer

Sometimes.

BigManSAB · Answer

People correct me and I correct people

Rainbow7_ · Answer

Sometimes and others times it autocorrect.

Anonymous · Answer

Whenever talking to an American.

jimmy2 · Answer

Ohhh well

Do you correct people who mispronounce words or use the incorrect words when speaking to you?

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