The Queen's English: And How to Use It

264 Pages·2011·7.857 MB·English

by  Bernard C. Lamb

What is good English, and why
do we need it? The Queen’s
English shows how language,
used properly, has enormous
power to inform and inspire. Used
incorrectly, however, it has the
same power to baffle and bemuse.
This book wears its learning lightly,
reminding readers how to use the
basics of grammar, punctuation and
spelling. It also teaches them new tips
and tricks of style, vocabulary and the
use of foreign phrases, to give their
writing and speech an impressive flair.
Using hilarious (if unintentionally so)
examples from people who really
ought to know better, it shows
where bad English leads us astray,
especially in terms of meaning,
precision and clarity. Authoritative but
accessible, here is a book for anyone
who has any feeling whatsoever
for clear, stylish and accurate
communication.

THE
Queen'S
English
AND HOW TO USE IT

THE
Queens
English
AND HOW TO USE IT
BERNARD C. LAMB
PRESIDENT OF THE QUEEN'S ENGLISH SOCIETY
Michael O’Mara Books Limited
First published in Great Britain in 2010 by
Michael O’Mara Books Limited
9 Lion Yard
Tremadoc Road
London SW4 7NQ
Copyright © Bernard C. Lamb 2010
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, without the prior permission
in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of
binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a
similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent
purchaser.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Papers used by Michael O’Mara Books Limited are natural, recyclable
products made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The manufacturing
processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
ISBN: 978N-84317'482-0
123456789 10
www.mombooks.com
Illustrations by Andrew Binder
Cover design by Patrick Knowles
Designed and typeset by K.DESIGN, Winscombe, Somerset
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, St Ives pic
Contents
Acknowledgements 7
1. Introduction 9
2. What is the Queen’s English and why should one use it? 18
3. The main ways to improve one’s English 28
4. Checking your work, with an exercise in critical 30
reading and a vocabulary challenge
5. A quick look at essential English language terms 42
6. Be versatile with verbs 47
7. Getting the sentence right is crucial 65
8. What to do with nouns and pronouns 71
9. Test yourself on nouns and pronouns 82
10. Qualifying with adjectives and adverbs 85
11. Prepositions, articles, conjunctions and interjections 92
12. Using punctuation to make your meaning clear 96
13. Writing, revising and readers’psychology 122
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THE QUEEN'S ENGLISH: AND HOW TO USE IT
14. Writing formal letters 129
15. Are you amb iguous ? 132
16. Idioms, figures of speech, cliches and popular phrases 139
17. Style and examples of excellent modem English 145
18. Ways to remember spellings and the use of word 153
origins, prefixes and suffixes
19. Sorting out word confusions 167
20. Onyms, homos and heteros 176
21. Business writing 184
22. Using foreign words, phrases and accents 198
23. New words, new meanings and changes in English 205
24. Using English for humour and wit 212
25. Giving talks: persuasion, passion and tone 219
26. Spoken English 224
27. Eurther self-tests 230
Glossary 234
Bibliography 240
The Queen’s English Society 243
Index 249
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