The complete plain words, titled simply plain words in its 2014 revision, is a style guide written by sir ernest gowers, published in 1954. Buy complete plain words 3rd edition book online at best prices in india on. Buy complete plain words 3rd edition book online at low. It comprises expanded and revised versions of two pamphlets that he wrote at the request of hm treasury, plain words 1948 and abc of plain words 1951. For those who must write to get their work done businessmen. Plain words, a guide to the use of english by rebecca. Sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant.
The complete plain words by gowers, ernest and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ernest gowers wrote the first, pamphlet version of plain words in 1948. The complete plain words download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl. Both these, as i explained in the prefaces to them, were written at the invitation of the treasury as a. Plain words by rebecca gowers, ernest gowers waterstones. Gowers was a civil servant and it is to fellow civil servants that his book is primarily addressed. Share what you know and love through presentations, infographics, documents and more. Within a year, however, its humour, charm and authority had made it a bestseller. About the authors sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant. This book was written at first to help officials in the use of written english. Mar 27, 2014 the complete plain words followed in 1954 and has never been out of print.
She is also the most recent editor of plain words, the classic guide to the use of english by her greatgrandfather sir ernest gowers. Plain words by rebecca gowers, ernest gowers books on. New edition of the complete plain words will delight fans of. Gowers plain words is a fascinating book, full of good although sometimes dated advice, and a great pleasure to dip into both for its sensible, and never pedantic, advice, and for the glimpses it gives of another time and another language. The complete plain words by sir ernest gowers 1956 details. Six decades on, writer rebecca gowers has created a new edition of this nowclassic work that both revises and celebrates her greatgrandfathers original. This book was written at the invitation of the treasury, with a view to help officials in their use of written english, first published in 1948, it has since run into more than a dozen reprints.
Plain words available for download and read online in other formats. Plain words and forgotten deeds understanding governance free books. Six decades on, writer rebecca gowers has created a new edition of this now. This 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. Rebecca gowers is the author of the swamp of death, shortlisted for the cwa nonfiction golden dagger award, and of two novels. The revolution that lurked in its mild pages was not just a lexical but a social one. Fowlers modern english usage, also published other reference works such as the gem which i can now proudly call mine. Buy the complete plain words 1st edition 1st printing by sir ernest gowers isbn. The complete plain words is the essential guide for anyone who needs to express themselves clearly, fluently and accurately in writing. When sir ernest gowers first wrote plain words, it was intended simply as a guide to the proper use of english for the civil service. Full text of complete plain words internet archive. Draws on previously inaccessible family archives to penetrate the anonymity and public reticence of one of britains great twentieth century civil servants. Within a year, however, its humour, charm and authority had made. A guide to the use of english by ernest gowers ebook.
Read pdf complete plain words 3rd edition ernest a gowers complete plain words 3rd edition ernest a gowers. Buy the complete plain words 3rd rev ed by sir ernest gowers, sidney greenbaum, janet whitcut isbn. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Sir ernest gowers 18801966 was a leading civil servant who ran the civil defense of london during world war ii and is best remembered for plain words, and for being the first editor of h. A guide and reference book to the use of english for official and other purposes sir ernest gowers. Although written in 1948 for british civil servants, i believe it is still useful for just about anybody in government or business who must write the occasional report, memo, or email. Plain words has been updated to reflect numerous changes in english usage, yet sir ernests distinctive, witty voice is undimmed. While browsing in one of the many second hand bookshops in scotland, i came across a familiar name. The complete plain words download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Plain words isbn 9780241960349 pdf epub ernest gowers. The complete plain words sir ernest gowers, sidney greenbaum. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read plain words. Fowlers classic dictionary of modern english usage. The aim of the book is to help officials in their use of english as a tool of their trade.
He ran the civil defence of london during the second world war, chaired the royal commission into capital punishment whose 1953 report contributed significantly to ending the death penalty in britain, wrote the bestseller, plain words, and later became the first editor of h. The complete plain words is one of some halfdozen books on my shelves which i dip into in the vain hope of improving my prose style. Before making his name as an author he had a long career in the british civil service, which he entered in 1903. What just about reading complete plain words 3rd edition ernest a gowers. The complete plain words followed in 1954 and has never been out of print. Rebecca gowers is the author of the swamp of death. The book is, it seems to me, an important document of its era. Plain words and forgotten deeds understanding governance read online. Whether you are working on paper or on a computer, this invaluable reference work will lead you through the intricacies, problems and pleasures of the english language with wit, common sense and authority. The complete plain words by ernest gowers, paperback.
The complete plain words by gowers and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Mar 27, 2014 sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant. But the later revisions look increasingly unsympathetic, so in 2014 rebecca gowers, the authors greatgranddaughter, agreed to update the book working directly from the 1954 edition. To celebrate its 60th birthday, the authors greatgranddaughter, rebecca gowers, has revised and updated the book for a new generation. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. To celebrate its 60th birthday, the authors greatgranddaughter, rebecca gowers, has revised and updated the book for a. It had been commissioned by the treasury, and was designed to encourage clarity and kindness in the writing of overformal, patronizing civil servants. The complete plain words by gowers, ernest, 18801966. Plain words ebook written by rebecca gowers, ernest gowers. Pdf ebooks can be used on all reading devices immediate ebook download after purchase draws on previously inaccessible family archives to penetrate the anonymity and public reticence of one of britains great twentieth century. A guide and reference book to the the complete plain words 1954. Mar 26, 2015 sir ernest gowers was born in 1880, and became a leading civil servant. Download plain words in pdf and epub formats for free. Gowers was highly influential in public policy throughout his long civil service career, which began in 1903 and culminated in running londons civil defence throughout the second world war.
A complete guide to the use of english by sir ernest gowers, incorporating plain words and abc of plain words, first published in september 1954. Rebecca gowers is the author of the swamp of death, shortlisted for the cwa nonfiction golden dagger award, and of two novels, when to walk and the twisted heart, both longlisted for the orange prize. The proper use of english is a never ending topic, and the correspondence which arose out of each book induced sir ernest gowers to keep on extending his previous plan. Containing plain words and the abc of plain words, rearranged and revised. Isbn 9780230244306 digitally watermarked, drmfree included format. New edition of the complete plain words will delight fans. He ran the civil defence of london during the second world war, chaired the royal commission into capital punishment, wrote the bestseller, plain words, and became the first editor of h.
The complete plain words by ernest gowers waterstones. The proper use of english is a never ending topic, and the correspondence which arose out of each book induced sir ernest gowers to keep. Before making his name as an author he had a long career in the british civil service, which he entered in. Despite this focus, it became an immediate bestseller when offered as a book for general sale. The complete plain words article pdf available in the journal of the royal college of general practitioners 236 november 1973 with 16,128 reads how we measure reads. Plain words book also available for read online, mobi, docx and mobile and kindle reading. The preface to the complete plain words by sir ernest gowers page 1 of 1 preface this book is in the main a reconstruction of my two previous books, plain words and abc of plain words.
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