Fowler's Modern English Usage

For many years I had a copy of 'Fowlers Modern English Usage' which I found invaluable in getting English grammar, syntax and vocabulary correct when I wrote reports and correspondence. However, in the process of moving house, I somehow mislaid my copy and have felt "very lost" without it. So hence why I have purchased another copy.

I am a non-native English speaker. So naturally I like prescriptive English usage guides, and have an inherent doubt over the newer ‘descriptive’ ones—I do not feel I am guided enough. For this reason, I did not think this book worth buying, after reading some reviews of this book. However, my opinions turned around 180° after browsing a few pages in a bookstore.Take for example the use of ‘hopefully’. Previous guides I read say that using it in the meaning ‘I hope’ is not recommended in formal contexts, but the reason they give is not persuasive. Burchfield powerfully argues for the VALIDITY of ‘sentence adverb’, cites historical evidence of the usage, and concludes it with: ‘since at least the 17c., certain adverbs in -ly have acquired the ability to qualify a predication or assertion as a whole.... In the last third of the 20c., this little-used and scarcely observed mechanism of the language has broken loose.... Conservative speakers, taken unawares by the sudden expansion of an unrecognized type of construction, have exploded with resentment that is unlikely to fade away before at least the end of the 20c.’ Well, I am persuaded enough now to use ‘hopefully’ with a clear conscience. I believe he has the authority to tell the trend and direction of the English language.The books takes into account different variants of the English language, including British, American, Australian, Canadian, etc., and its style is light-hearted and humorous. For example, when reading about whether to use English plural forms or Latin plural forms for Latin words in English, I cannot help laughing when I read: ‘when formal knowledge of Latin rules is fading fast, it is not surprising that there should be a general movement towards the English plurals ... but ... a degree of self-satisfaction is certainly in order if a knowledgeable person chooses to retain the Latin plural form’. I wish I would not shy away to correct others’ ‘Criteria 1’ :-).The book is both historical and modern. It is not pedagogical, and is fun to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about writing and speaking good English.

Excellent

A delight for writers or anyone who loves how language evolves.

Great.

Great reference for great writing.

Good condition

When I turn to Fowler's (actually Burchfield's) Modern English Usage it is to pose a legitimate question. By the time Burchfield gets around to answering, my concentration is ruined and I'm left in a writer's ditch of distraction. Not only does Burchfield waste my time by littering his entries with irrelevant personal opinion, but he needlessly insults his reader by disparaging his education and upbringing, stopping just short of calling one's mother an imbecile.For example, the opening of the entry for "All Right" states: The use of all right, or inability to see that there is anything wrong with alight, reveals one's background, upbringing, education, etc., perhaps as much as any word in the language.And the entry for "Lay / Lie" states: Nowadays, confusion of the two is taken to be certain evidence of imperfect education . . .And the entry for "Toilet" (I looked it up expecting a fine example) states: On the evidence available to me, toilet is the first choice of the majority of people in Britain, while lavatory . . . and loo are the favorites of the chattering classes.However, the book is useful. It will hone your mastery of the language.**Just buy a used copy so Burchfield doesn't get paid.**

I was introduced to Fowler's when I was in the secondary school and the Latin master was horrified by our poor English. The book was in the library and we all started to use it. I bought my own copy when I went to train to be a teacher and my last edition was taken from my office by someone who obviously wanted to know what was the proper way to say something. It is a good reference book, easy to visit, enjoyable to explore and also tells the reader about what is normal and acceptable in other English speaking countries. It is very reasonably priced and delivery was within two days. I'm glad to have an old friend back. Thank you.

I bought this for my son to use as his career advances. Like father like son - the book helps enormously with the correct use of English in important business submissions. Great value from this supplier too.

All texts and commentaries are simply a writer's view of his/her English language. English is a natural language. Writers can only expound on what they perceive. Every English text offers insights and information about an infinite subject. I learned that there are more than eight parts of speech, I never considered numbers as being such. In another text I read about lemma. As a read this book is better than some touted novels. Use your Kindle, try a sample.

Exactly as described. Fast delivery - within 2 days of oredring. Great condition Very pleased.

This is a useful book for writers and people who love English but want answers to those everyday questions about grammar and certain punctuation and word usage.I'm sure it will come in very handy for those times when I suddenly can't remember how to structure a particular word/sentence, and will be able to look it up.