incorrectnonstandard

Incorrectnonstandard is a term used in linguistics and language education to describe a subset of nonstandard linguistic forms that are judged incorrect according to prescriptive norms. It is not meant to label all deviations from a standard language, but to identify forms that violate widely taught grammatical rules in formal varieties.

The term appears in late 20th and early 21st century discussions, often in online discourse and classroom language pedagogy. It is typically contrasted with two other ideas: systematic nonstandard varieties that follow internal grammatical rules within a speech community, and random slips that do not reflect a stable pattern. Because language standards differ by dialect and context, the category of incorrectnonstandard is itself debated. Critics argue that labeling forms as incorrect can stigmatize speakers and obscure legitimate regional or social varieties.

Common examples cited as incorrectnonstandard include subject–verb disagreement in standard contexts (I has a plan), nonstandard tense agreement (They is going), and the use of forms like don't or ain't in contexts where formal prescriptive norms prescribe different combinations. Advocates caution that what counts as incorrect can depend on the audience and purpose; in descriptive linguistics, many such forms are treated as legitimate data rather than errors.

In education and writing, distinguishing incorrectnonstandard forms from legitimate nonstandard varieties helps educators target teaching toward productive correction while recognizing variation. See also nonstandard language, prescriptive grammar, descriptive linguistics, language variation.