# How to respond when someone corrects you, but you aren't wrong **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 31, 2005, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363 "2005-08-31T00:36:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/1 "2005-08-31T00:36:39Z")
People seem to be getting bolder about correcting other folks in public. One unfortunate effect is that often I find that I am being corrected when I am not wrong. Recently I was speaking to a small group of people, and I used the phrase “to home in on the target.” Someone immediately spoke up and said “you mean ‘to **hone** in’.” I just shrugged and said “no, I mean ‘to home in,’ as I said.” And nothing further was mentioned about this. I feel very uncomfortable in such a situation. Although I am willing to admit to an error if I’m wrong, it bugs the hell out of me to have someone correct me when I am right. My instinct is to fight tooth and nail for my intellectual honor, while thoroughly embarrassing the jerkweed who butted in and made this foolish pseudo-correction. However, I am not a creature who often acts upon instinct. I usually try to be a peacemaker, and my desire to be well-liked is greater than my desire to be “right” about everything. How do you handle a situation like this? If someone interrupts you and tries to correct you on a point, and you know absolutely that you have not made an error, do you let it slide, or make an issue of it, or something in between? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/2 "2005-08-31T00:41:06Z")
Something in between… try: I beg your pardon but… ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/3 "2005-08-31T00:46:49Z")
I think it depends a bit on the circumstances. I’ll usually try to correct the other person’s incorrect assertion, but in a light, friendly sort of way, so that it doesn’t turn into a slanging match. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/4 "2005-08-31T00:52:01Z")
If it’s something i’m 10000% sure of, I’ll usually rebutt with an extreme example - “Well, I wrote my graduate thesis on (subject in question) and it’s definitely (thing inc orrectly corrected on),” or “Well, I’m pretty sure it’s \_\_\_, since I’ve owned 15 of them.” ---
**Author:** ![NoPretentiousCodename](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/82dd89/32.png) [@NoPretentiousCodename](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoPretentiousCodename)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/5 "2005-08-31T00:53:24Z")
Lately I have taken to using _BZZZT_ (like the sound a buzzer makes) when somebody says something wrong or contrary to my opinion or perhaps even if an unacceptable possibility is put forward when, for example, when deciding on an activity. Example: Friend: “So, we were thinking of seeing 40 Year Old Virgin” Me: “_BZZZT_” Friend: "…or we could see Red Eye…: Me: “Maaaybe” or: Random person: “Wow, this new J-Lo song is REALLY COOL!” Me (& Friends): _BZZZZZZZZZT!_ I suppose you could use my method, although it might be considered impolite in certain situations. Also acceptable is a more _EEENH_ kind of buzzer sound. ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/6 "2005-08-31T00:57:06Z")
> [@NoPretentiousCodename](#): > > I suppose you could use my method, although it might be considered impolite in certain situations. Also acceptable is a more _EEENH_ kind of buzzer sound. I prefer the Family Feud _BIP-BOWWWW_ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/7 "2005-08-31T01:07:47Z")
> [@NoPretentiousCodename](#): > > I suppose you could use my method, although it might be considered impolite in certain situations… Impolite, obnoxious as hell – six of one, half dozen of the other. **pinkfreud** – it sounds to me like you handled it very graciously. It’s really all you can do: “Nope, X is correct…” and keep going. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/8 "2005-08-31T01:08:15Z")
**From [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com)** > [@](#): > > Phrasal Verb: > hone in > > 1. To move or advance toward a target or goal: The missiles honed in on the military installation. > 2. To direct one’s attention; focus: The lawyer honed in on the gist of the plaintiff’s testimony. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/9 "2005-08-31T01:10:12Z")
maybe you were _both_ right… (I have always used “hone”, although I never knew why. I looked up [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) because I wasn’t sure…) ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/10 "2005-08-31T01:15:18Z")
From the Columbia Guide to Standard American English, 1993 edition, quoted [here](http://www.bartleby.com/68/24/3024.html): > [@](#): > > hone in on > > is an erroneous version of home in on, attributed to George Bush among others. So what do I say now? BZZZT? ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/11 "2005-08-31T01:17:38Z")
Regarding my original post, I am not saying that “to hone in on a target” is wrong (although I would never say it, and I think it sounds semiliterate). The person who corrected me was asserting that “to home in on a target” was wrong. It isn’t. From [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com): > [@](#): > > home in > > v : direct onto a point or target, especially by automatic navigational aids [syn: range in, zero in] ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/12 "2005-08-31T01:24:31Z")
I agree I wasn’t saying that “home” isn’t applicable; just that it would have sounded foreign to me. It likely sounded foreign to him also. I would not have brought it up unless: 1. It was a good friend; one I was comfortable with. 2. We were alone; I wouldn’t bring it up in a group of any size. My point is he was right also. But IMO, he shouldn’t have brought it up. Bad form. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/13 "2005-08-31T01:26:08Z")
Waaay back when, I started using the Linux OS. The CD came with the usual docs of the era, including the Linux Pronunciation FAQ. Complete with sound files. So I learned to pronounce Linux correctly (US version). Which means of course that I have been subjected to Complete Idiots who correct my pronunciation with that hideous “Lyn-nix” corruption. I gently remind them that they should read the Linux Pronunciation FAQ before trying to “correct” others’ pronunciation. (Never mind that the FAQ is nearly impossible to find on the net anymore. The mispronouncers hate it.) I will also sometimes use the Homer quote: “It’s pronounced nu-cu-ler.” if I think they will recognize the quote. The result of course is blank looks no matter what. You will also be amazed at the number of people who will go to great lengths to try to argue a losing point to death. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/14 "2005-08-31T01:28:41Z")
come to think of it…I _am_ semiliterate… ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/15 "2005-08-31T01:35:21Z")
Once I was talking to a guy about Bela Fleck, the banjo player. Bela pronounces his name BAY-luh, and I strive to pronounce it correctly. Every time I said BAY-luh, this guy said BELL-uh, as if to correct me. I didn’t insist he was wrong, but I kept on saying BAY-luh, and he kept on saying BELL-uh. Eventually, I changed the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/16 "2005-08-31T01:56:33Z")
It depends on how they try to “correct” me. If they are polite about it, I will bethe same. If they are obnoxious or trying to make me look stupid, I let them have it with everything at my disposal. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/17 "2005-08-31T02:03:22Z")
Context is everything. Senile grandfather-in-law interrupts to “correct” me? Thank him and move on. Casual acquaintance makes “correction” with some indication that they are attempting to be polite (regardless that Miss Manners would frown on such corrections)? “Hmm. I’ve always said it as ‘xxx’” and move on. (If the issue was of some importance, I might note the history of the phrase so as to prevent the issue arising again.) Twit tries to show superiority by announcing my error? I would give a detailed explanation of the history behind the actual phrase, noting the time and place where the erroneous construction entered the language. (And if the twit was _really_ being obnoxious, I’d point out the general lack of education and intelligence of the group that introduced the error to the language along with the probability that the error was a result of their low moral character.) ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/18 "2005-08-31T02:13:23Z")
> [@](#): > > You will also be amazed at the number of people who will go to great lengths to try to argue a losing point to death. Wouldn’t amaze me, at all, ('course, I moderate in **GD**.) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/19 "2005-08-31T02:49:46Z")
Well, I think he really meant to say “to _horn_ in on”. Ignoring context is _everything_ if one is to be truly pedantic. So there. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363/20 "2005-08-31T02:59:17Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Ignoring context is _everything_ if one is to be truly pedantic. Ah, and that reminds me of the time I called a teacher “pedantic,” and the person I with whom I was talking looked horrified and said “He molests children?” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-respond-when-someone-corrects-you-but-you-arent-wrong/319363.md?page=2)