A Dictionary of Modern English Usage

By Henry Watson Fowler

Book Overview

"A Dictionary of Modern English Usage" is a seminal guide to the English language, celebrated for its authoritative yet often witty exploration of grammar, syntax, and style. Compiled by H. W. Fowler, this comprehensive reference work provides detailed entries on everything from common grammatical pitfalls and the nuances of synonym choice to the proper use of punctuation and the avoidance of clich s. Far from a dry list of rules, the text is renowned for Fowler's distinct personality and his commitment to clarity, directness, and the preservation of precise language.

Designed for writers, scholars, and anyone seeking to master the complexities of English expression, the dictionary addresses perennial linguistic debates with a blend of scholarly rigor and practical advice. It covers a vast array of topics, including spelling, pronunciation, and the evolution of idioms, making it an indispensable resource for understanding the foundations of modern communication. By emphasizing the importance of logical structure and the avoidance of pretension, "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage" has shaped the standards of written and spoken English for generations. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to educate and entertain, serving as both a functional tool and a classic of linguistic literature.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025849965
• ISBN13: 9781025849966
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 752 Pages
• Weight: 2.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 1.5" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

An Authoratative Guide

The idiomatic use of the English language needs a referee, and some referees are simply better than others. The "anything goes" motto of our times gives us uneven, illiterate, and occasionally brutal prose. This book helps block this inevitable slide into the lack of clarity and coherence. This second edition (cf., Third Edition) of "Modern English Usage" may strike some readers as arcane and archaic, because it is so restrictive in its prescriptions. Given the laxity of many our writers, the use of a strict disciplinarian in philology is a welcome resource.

The Best English Usage Book Available

Excuse the superfluous capitals. Fowler/Gowers 2nd Ed. is quite brilliant; learned and full of humour. It successfully walks the line between descriptive and prescriptive grammar (with perhaps a tendency to over-emphasise prescriptive). The 1st Ed. was too stuffy; the new 3rd Ed. does not come close; indeed it is far too tolerant of the monstrosities so frequently heard today. My favourite bedside book by a long way.