- Paperback: 768 pages
- Publisher: OUP Oxford; New edition edition (25 July 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0198605064
- ISBN-13: 978-0198605065
- Product Dimensions: 20 x 12.8 x 4.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
304,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauri > Synonyms & Antonyms
- #32 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauri > Usage Guides
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Celebrating its 75th year, this classic text has become the standard work on the correct but natural use of English and has ensured that Fowler is a household name. Written in Fowler's inimitable style, it gives clear guidance on usage, word formation, inflexion, spelling, pronunciation, punctuation, and typography. It includes advice on using: that, which or who; working and stylish words; worn-out humour; hybrids and malformations. Witty and practical, it remains an invaluable source of useful guidance on the correct use of English.
About the Author
Henry Watson Fowler (1858-1933) was a translator, lexicographer, and grammarian. With his brother Frank (1870-1918) he compiled the first edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary (published 1911) and the Pocket Oxford Dictionary (published in 1924, after Franks' death). Frank helped to plan Modern English Usage with his brother but he died before it was published and it was executed by Henry alone. The name Fowler has become synonymous with reliable and accurate reference on all
aspects of written English.
aspects of written English.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
a, an. 1. A is used before all consonants except silent h (a history,an hour) ; an was formerly usual before an unaccented syllable beginning with h (an historical work), but now that the h in such words is pronounced the distinction has become pedantic, & a historical should be said & written ; similarly an humble is now meaningless & undesirable. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
a, an. 1. A is used before all consonants except silent h (a history,an hour) ; an was formerly usual before an unaccented syllable beginning with h (an historical work), but now that the h in such words is pronounced the distinction has become pedantic, & a historical should be said & written ; similarly an humble is now meaningless & undesirable. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A wonderful book which deserves to be on every shelf in the UK (and beyond).
It is not a thesaurus or a dictionary, but a carefully constructed masterpiece which should ensure you never put a foot wrong in expressing yourself in English either in writing or in speech.
Unfortunately, much correct usage is disappearing - so buy the book and make your writing remarkable!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
More than a dictionary of definitions, this handy Fowler's (paperback, 1983 rev. edition, Gowers) expresses opinions on the use and misuse of words and parts of speech (dropping prepositions, , noun-adjectives), and is interesting and enlightening reading. The entry on 'program', for example, tells me that this was the British way of spelling this word until somewhere in the 19th century. The dual use today of the idiomatic 'me' ending -- as in radio P) -- and the shorter, more widely-used version -- properly restricted in application in British English to a computer P -- is a helpful bit of information usually outside the scope of a standard dictionary.
The explanations are lucid, the text is set in a clear, legible 9pt type, double-columned pages, with white space between each bold-face entry. It's not a substitute for a dictionary. There are only 6 entries under 'Z', for example. It concentrates on grammar and usage. As a tool for the writer's kitbag, Fowler's is a valuable addition.
The explanations are lucid, the text is set in a clear, legible 9pt type, double-columned pages, with white space between each bold-face entry. It's not a substitute for a dictionary. There are only 6 entries under 'Z', for example. It concentrates on grammar and usage. As a tool for the writer's kitbag, Fowler's is a valuable addition.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book covers a breadth of information, as you would expect. It's concise and easy to follow. I would suggest this book to anyone who wants, or needs, to write in a grammatically correct, and unambiguous syntax.
Interestingly, the punctuations (comma, colon, semi-colon etc.) are listed together, alphabetically, in the section 'stops', which makes it easier to make comparisons, between different punctuation marks.
One issue I have, and the reason that it is not five stars, in some areas it is not as clear, or concise, as it might be, which requires comparisons between examples.
PS The typeface in my re-issue is very easy to read, which could explain the readability that I have experienced compared to people with different versions.
Interestingly, the punctuations (comma, colon, semi-colon etc.) are listed together, alphabetically, in the section 'stops', which makes it easier to make comparisons, between different punctuation marks.
One issue I have, and the reason that it is not five stars, in some areas it is not as clear, or concise, as it might be, which requires comparisons between examples.
PS The typeface in my re-issue is very easy to read, which could explain the readability that I have experienced compared to people with different versions.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Simple to use; difficult to read
This book is extremely simple to understand -- the title of "Dictionary" is very appropriate, however the terrible printing and layout mean once you've found the entry you're... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2006 by Ocular
The standard upon which the others are built
Before we presume to be artists or journalists or even readable purveyorsof newsletters (or Internet blogs, for that matter) we must of necessity,if we are to be effective, be... Read more
Published on 28 April 2004 by Dennis Littrell
Be warned....
This is actually just a dictionary which covers similar material to Bill Bryson in 'Troublesome Words', but in not such an amusing manner. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2004 by Helen Hodgson
Inpenetrable classic
I know this is considered a classic work, but I find both the style of writing and the typography and layout of this edition difficult to read and use. Read more
Published on 26 May 2003
Authoritative, but simple enough to read and use.
A true insight into the English language. Authoritative, yet highly practical, it forms a good defence against poor writing, pedantry, and other style-crimes.
Published on 29 Jun 2001 by S. J. Merrick
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