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The King's English
The King's English is a classic book on English usage and grammar. This second edition Fowler brothers, Henry Watson Fowler and Francis George Fowler, and published in 1908, and thus pre-dates by almost years Modern English Usage, which was written by Henry alone after Francis's death in 1918. This is a facsimile version of the 1922 printing by Oxford University Press. The King's English is less like a dictionary than Modern English Usage; it consists of longer articles on more general topics such as vocabulary, syntax and punctuation, and draws heavily on examples from many sources throughout. One of its sections is a systematic description of the appropriate uses of shall and will. The third and last edition was published in 1931, by which time Modern English Usage had superseded it in popularity.
Because all living languages continually evolve, the book is now considered outdated in some respects; and some of the Fowlers' opinions about correct English usage are at times incorrect with regard to contemporary standards. For example, the Fowlers disapprove of the word "concision" on the grounds that it had a technical meaning in theology, "to which it may well be left"; although "concision" is now a common synonym for "conciseness," it is still an ugly word. The Fowlers also criticised the use of standpoint and just how much (as in "Just how much more of this can we take?"), describing them as undesirable "Americanisms," but both are now common in British English. The book nevertheless remains a benchmark for usage. Every wordlover should have a copy.
Because all living languages continually evolve, the book is now considered outdated in some respects; and some of the Fowlers' opinions about correct English usage are at times incorrect with regard to contemporary standards. For example, the Fowlers disapprove of the word "concision" on the grounds that it had a technical meaning in theology, "to which it may well be left"; although "concision" is now a common synonym for "conciseness," it is still an ugly word. The Fowlers also criticised the use of standpoint and just how much (as in "Just how much more of this can we take?"), describing them as undesirable "Americanisms," but both are now common in British English. The book nevertheless remains a benchmark for usage. Every wordlover should have a copy.
386 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1906
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About the author
Henry Watson Fowler
107 books21 followersHenry Watson Fowler (10 March 1858 – 26 December 1933) was an English schoolmaster, lexicographer and commentator on the usage of the English language. He is notable for both A Dictionary of Modern English Usage and his work on the Concise Oxford Dictionary, and was described by The Times as "a lexicographical genius".
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 2, 2015
Another perfect book for the English language aficionado (or pedant). Fowler and Fowler present their definitive guide for the aspiring early-20th-century writer wanting to ensure the correctitude (or not) of their prose.
The King's English
is not a guide for learning how to write though, Fowler and Fowler don't spend much time explaining the correct usage at all, instead it's a list of examples of, and corrections for, mistakes – common and uncommon – in grammar, syntax, vocabulary, etc. While Dickens and Charlotte Brontë come in for regular criticism, it seems that newspapers are generally held up as the worst examples of almost all faults.
The book is split into two parts. Part one contains chapters on misuse of vocabulary, syntax, airs and graces (showing off), and punctuation. Each is treated thoroughly, and surprisingly wittily for a grammar book. Much of the advice is slightly dated now – the Kings referenced by the title are Edward the VII (for the first edition) and George V (for the third edition) – unsurprisingly, English as a language has moved on somewhat in those intervening years. The Fowlers are even keen to point this out themselves – unlike German and French, English is a loosely proscribed language, a hybrid language where only common usage is a requirement for it to change: "the only question about any particular word ... is whether the vox populi has yet declared for it; when it has, there is no more to be said; but when it has not, the process should be resisted as long as possible".
Most of the chapters I liked or loved. Only the chapter on syntax I found so impenetrable as to be unreadable. My Comprehensive education was anything but, and my lack of Grammar education leaves me with very little reference point for the grammar terms bandied about throughout that chapter. There was only so many times I could remind myself of what a subjunctive or a participle is before I just gave up and started skimming the chapter, hoping that the next one would be better. Equally, part two just feels rushed. In the introduction the Fowlers state that part two is mostly just lists of examples with little exposition, they claim due to lack of space. However, it seems to me that slightly fewer examples could have left room for more exposition, and failing that a second volume would have allowed them to really go to town. Perhaps they'd just become bored by this point, certainly part two mostly bored me.
The book is split into two parts. Part one contains chapters on misuse of vocabulary, syntax, airs and graces (showing off), and punctuation. Each is treated thoroughly, and surprisingly wittily for a grammar book. Much of the advice is slightly dated now – the Kings referenced by the title are Edward the VII (for the first edition) and George V (for the third edition) – unsurprisingly, English as a language has moved on somewhat in those intervening years. The Fowlers are even keen to point this out themselves – unlike German and French, English is a loosely proscribed language, a hybrid language where only common usage is a requirement for it to change: "the only question about any particular word ... is whether the vox populi has yet declared for it; when it has, there is no more to be said; but when it has not, the process should be resisted as long as possible".
Most of the chapters I liked or loved. Only the chapter on syntax I found so impenetrable as to be unreadable. My Comprehensive education was anything but, and my lack of Grammar education leaves me with very little reference point for the grammar terms bandied about throughout that chapter. There was only so many times I could remind myself of what a subjunctive or a participle is before I just gave up and started skimming the chapter, hoping that the next one would be better. Equally, part two just feels rushed. In the introduction the Fowlers state that part two is mostly just lists of examples with little exposition, they claim due to lack of space. However, it seems to me that slightly fewer examples could have left room for more exposition, and failing that a second volume would have allowed them to really go to town. Perhaps they'd just become bored by this point, certainly part two mostly bored me.
April 20, 2015
A true masterpiece in pedantic, almost mathematical, approach to syntax and diction of the English language. The Fowler brothers do not abstain from using trenchant sarcasm and ridicule to call out everything—from the small peccadilloes to most heinous of crimes—perpetrated against the English language by the likes of no other than Charles Dickens or Charlotte Brontë. Sifting the content of the chapters, the reader feels like a tyro Jedi warrior approaching unity with the Force, or, in this case, accuracy, precision, and meaning in written text. The section on syntax can be too abstruse to a reader not graced by a systematic education in grammar, but that can hardly be considered the fault of the authors. A perfect book for someone who has enjoyed the lessons and wit of “The Elements of Style,” but wants to delve deeper in erudition and, one day, truly reach linguistic nirvana.
May 31, 2018
Fowler wasn’t God you know. But by God, he was Fowler.
January 13, 2023
Shall you be there? “learned from Lord Peter Wimsey”
When I tackled the university, they told me not to waste time with grammar classes as it will be picked up naturally in the course of writing essays. So, I learned the finer points from Ogden Nash.
This book is good for filling in the proper English that was not needed to be overlooked at the university. Much better than grammar this book gives not only the how but the why when conversing.
On the nature of Shall and Will –
“It is unfortunate that the idiomatic use, while it comes by nature to southern Englishmen (who will find most of this section superfluous), is so complicated that those who are not to the manner born can hardly acquire it; and for them, the section is in danger of being useless.”
The only problem I have is with a section on Americanism. “There is a real danger of our literature being Americanized, and that not nearly in details of vocabulary – which we are all that we are here directly concerned with – but in the general tone.”
After reading see if anyone notices that your English has changed shape.
When I tackled the university, they told me not to waste time with grammar classes as it will be picked up naturally in the course of writing essays. So, I learned the finer points from Ogden Nash.
This book is good for filling in the proper English that was not needed to be overlooked at the university. Much better than grammar this book gives not only the how but the why when conversing.
On the nature of Shall and Will –
“It is unfortunate that the idiomatic use, while it comes by nature to southern Englishmen (who will find most of this section superfluous), is so complicated that those who are not to the manner born can hardly acquire it; and for them, the section is in danger of being useless.”
The only problem I have is with a section on Americanism. “There is a real danger of our literature being Americanized, and that not nearly in details of vocabulary – which we are all that we are here directly concerned with – but in the general tone.”
After reading see if anyone notices that your English has changed shape.
October 14, 2008
You'd have to be pretty serious to read this all the way through, but I find it fascinating to browse. I can only imagine having such a technical command of the English language, but then it occurs to me that if I did no one would probably notice, and they would probably think, "She sure talks funny!" I think the best part of this book are the examples of mistakes he gives from contemporary (for him) newspapers and writers.
July 3, 2021
You’re better off going with Elements of Style, which presents its material with better clarity, structure, and efficiency. This work feels disorganized and as a by-product unhelpful in providing advice on writing. I would say that it is a mark of it’s time as seen in the writing style, but Dickens, who died over 40 years before, was much more understandable than these supposed grammar experts.
March 6, 2021
A key to English and a rapier wit.
October 4, 2023
Shall you be there? “Learned from Lord Peter Wimsey”
When I tackled the university, they told me not to waste time with grammar classes as it would be picked up naturally in the course of writing essays. So, I learned the finer points from Ogden Nash.
This book is good for filling in the proper English that did not need to be overlooked at the university. Much better than grammar this book gives not only the how but the why when conversing.
On the nature of Shall and Will –
“It is unfortunate that the idiomatic use, while it comes by nature to southern Englishmen (who will find most of this section superfluous), is so complicated that those who are not to the manner born can hardly acquire it; and for them, the section is in danger of being useless.”
The only problem I have is with a section on Americanism. “There is a real danger of our literature being Americanized, and that not nearly in details of vocabulary – which we are all that we are here directly concerned with – but in the general tone.”
After reading see if anyone notices that your English has changed shape.
When I tackled the university, they told me not to waste time with grammar classes as it would be picked up naturally in the course of writing essays. So, I learned the finer points from Ogden Nash.
This book is good for filling in the proper English that did not need to be overlooked at the university. Much better than grammar this book gives not only the how but the why when conversing.
On the nature of Shall and Will –
“It is unfortunate that the idiomatic use, while it comes by nature to southern Englishmen (who will find most of this section superfluous), is so complicated that those who are not to the manner born can hardly acquire it; and for them, the section is in danger of being useless.”
The only problem I have is with a section on Americanism. “There is a real danger of our literature being Americanized, and that not nearly in details of vocabulary – which we are all that we are here directly concerned with – but in the general tone.”
After reading see if anyone notices that your English has changed shape.
July 27, 2020
Found this entertaining and educational
August 26, 2023
Never before have I found so fantastic a discourse on English Grammar as this; it defies the hypocrisy and inconsistency of many modern guides by presenting us the view of a bona fide grammarian.
January 28, 2025
Completely outdated & a waste of time, too many bombastic words some of which are no longer used in everyday English. Elements of Style is a much better alternative.
August 16, 2023
Distensive recollect of narrative palsy, glimsped pervaying doctrined by social casting of pretensive augments as judicial rulings; excellent martial book, premptive assertion of propriety for dexterity, autosomatic resounance detailed to physiological logos of the character of souls, deanimous. “With three words of Greek we all be saved”
January 13, 2024
A excellent introduction to English grammar by the Fowler brothers, one lost in the war to end all wars. Next read modern English usage.
August 12, 2011
Splendid!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews