The King's English

By Henry Watson Fowler, F G Fowler, F.G. Fowler, et al.

Book Overview

"The King's English" is a seminal guide to the correct and effective use of the English language. Written by the renowned brothers H.W. Fowler and F.G. Fowler, this authoritative work serves as an essential resource for writers, students, and language enthusiasts seeking to master the nuances of prose and grammar. The book meticulously explores common pitfalls in usage, syntax, and vocabulary, offering practical advice on how to achieve clarity and precision in writing.

Divided into sections covering various aspects of language, from punctuation and the proper use of foreign words to the intricacies of sentence structure and rhythm, "The King's English" provides a comprehensive framework for avoiding common mistakes and unnecessary jargon. The authors emphasize simplicity and directness, advocating for a style that prioritizes the message over ornamentation. Through numerous examples of both good and bad usage, the Fowlers illustrate the principles that define high-quality English prose.

As a foundational text in the field of linguistics and style, "The King's English" remains a vital reference for anyone interested in the evolution of modern English. Its enduring relevance lies in its rigorous approach to linguistic standards and its commitment to the beauty and clarity of the written word.

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: 1025769562
• ISBN13: 9781025769561
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 396 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Prequel to Fowler's "Dictionary of Modern English Usage"

If you liked "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage," you will love "The King's English."For three generations, a single book dominated the market as the authoritative reference in matters of grammar, style, and usage in the English language: "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage" by H.W. Fowler, first published in 1926, now in its third edition (published 1996). Twenty years earlier, however, Fowler and his younger brother F.G. (their given names were Henry Watson and Francis George) had collaborated on a precursor, "The King's English," first published in 1906 (and which went into its third edition a quarter century later, a few years after the first edition of "A Dictionary" appeared).This book is every bit as charming and graceful as the later "Dictionary" and, while this earlier work covers fewer topics than "Dictionary," it treats the ones that it does cover with as much thoroughness and skill as "Dictionary"--in some cases with more thoroughness, since the book is structured as part essay, part textbook, and can thus afford more examples and exercises than "Dictionary." The book begins by laying out five "general principles" worthy of Strunk and White (whose masterpiece "The Elements of Style" did not appear until half a century later): "Prefer the familiar word to the far-fetched. Prefer the concrete word to the abstract. Prefer the single word to the circumlocution. Prefer the short word to the long. Prefer the Saxon word to the Romance."The Fowlers expand upon those five "principles," and also treat vocabulary, syntax, punctuation, and other such technical matters in great depth. But amidst these technical chapters they also include a lengthy chapter on "airs and graces," in which they advise the reader about imbuing writing with art.The Fowlers write with every bit as much elegance, flair, and humor as they advise their readers to use, and their mastery of their subject is unsurpassed. "The King's English" has stood the test of time and, today, a century after its initial publication, it still stands the Fowler brothers with Strunk and White from half a century ago and Bryan Garner of today in the first rank of authors about style and usage in the English language.