Usage and Grammar

Q. Recently my wife corrected my grammar several times in one day, in front of her family, which led me to seek an opportunity to publicly correct her. I contended that she should have said “high quality” instead of simply “quality.” She insisted that I was wrong, and I fear that I may indeed be wrong, but I would like your insight on the off chance that I might be right.

A. Oh, dear—this needs to stop before it escalates any further. It’s rude to correct someone’s grammar in public; your wife was wrong to correct you; and you are wrong about the use of “quality.” I suggest you buy a dictionary and stop at the florist on the way home. See if you can arrange a détente.