The Complete Plain WordsThis classic guide to the intricacies of the English language provides clear, succinct explanations of such topics as jargon, spelling, punctuation, superfluous words, the overuse or misuse of words, sexist language and the ground rules of grammar. |
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Page i
... letter Three fundamental precepts : Be simple , be short , be human 4. Correctness A fourth precept : Be correct Discipline in official writing Efforts to preserve pure English : vain resistance to new words and new meanings The duty of ...
... letter Three fundamental precepts : Be simple , be short , be human 4. Correctness A fourth precept : Be correct Discipline in official writing Efforts to preserve pure English : vain resistance to new words and new meanings The duty of ...
Page viii
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Page xii
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Page xiv
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Page xix
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Common terms and phrases
adjective adverb alternative ambiguity American American English antecedent authority avoid become British English Chapter clear cliché comma Committee common COMPLETE PLAIN WORDS conjunction context convey correct danger Dictionary of Modern difficulty elegant variation Euro-English example express full stop give Government grammarians grammatical H. W. Fowler hyphen idiom infinitive ing-word instance intended jargon language less letter matter meaning merely metaphor Minister Modern English Usage negative noun object official writing overused paragraph parenthesis pedantry perhaps person phrasal verbs phrase PLAIN WORDS Police Complaints Board pompous possible practice precise prefer preposition pronoun prose purists purpose question reader reason recognised relative clause replace rule seems semicolon sense sentence simple singular verb Sir Ernest Gowers sometimes split infinitive staff style things thought unnecessary verbosity vocabulary vogue word written wrong