The King’s English

work by Fowler brothers

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June 30, 2026

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"The King's English" refers to standard, pure, or correct English speech or usage. This concept is closely associated with the work of H.W. Fowler, an English lexicographer and philologist. Fowler, along with his brother Francis George Fowler, published "The King's English" in 1906. This work, along with their later "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage" (1926), significantly influenced the understanding and application of English language style and grammar. Their writings are known for their wit, grace, and intellectual strength, making them classics in English philology. The term "King's English" has been in use since at least 1553.12

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punctuation
Punctuation in English since 1600
… and Francis George Fowler, in The King’s English, published in 1906, who established the current British practice of light punctuation. Punctuation in the United States has followed much the same path as in Britain, but the rules laid down by American authorities have in general been more rigid than the…
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… and Francis George Fowler, in The King’s English, published in 1906, who established the current British practice of light punctuation. Punctuation in the United States has followed much the same path as in Britain, but the rules laid down by American authorities have in general been more rigid than the…
Read More