Fowler's Modern English Usage

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.

That's what Thomas Aquinas suggested we consider when assessing anything - What is it in itself?

This is not Fowler's (the second edition), even though the cover indicates that the publisher would be happy for you to believe it is. The introduction makes it plain that this a wholly different kettle of fish to the beloved Fowler's. It is less prescriptive, as other reviewers have noted. It is drier, there is less wit, less opinion, and perhaps less wisdom. I find it less well organised than Fowler's.

But it is very good at what it is trying to do: offer a description of modern English usage, including English used in the Americas and other far-flung locations. If you are a casual reader I would probably still recommend Fowler's first, just because it's generally the more enjoyable read. Also, you can pick it up for about 50 cents. If you are a language maven or work with words I can't imagine you'd want to be without this, although I'd expect you to also have Fowler's on your shelf.

Fowler's tells you what to do, although of course you can disagree, and in many cases the passage of time means you must if you want to be understood. This edition just lays out the land and lets the reader decide. Either way it's still your decision, but responding to Fowler's prescription is more fun than just choosing between dry options. I prefer the more prescriptive approach of Fowler's, so like others I want that approach with this currency (or might that be currentness, I'll have to check...), but in itself - this is very good at what it intends to be.

I've used the first three editions of this book, and find the second edition to be the most useful and interesting. I do not recommend any of this series to the casual English speaker who would only like to avoid glaring grammatical mistakes; there are simpler guides better targeting this. Key to efficiently benefiting from this book is knowing when to consult it. Thus, this book is best appreciated by someone with an already strong verbal command who recognizes opportunities to make subtle improvements.

Find a used second edition. In good shape, because you will wear it out.
Probably the most useful reference for a writer in addition to a good
style manual. Not just the what but the why - with wonderful examples.

Without this book on your shelf, how can you be sure when to use 'further' rather than 'farther,' 'that' instead of 'which'? You can't--it's an essential reference for every writer--fiction or nonfiction--who wants his or her work to show itself at the level of commercial professionalism.