Quote

Prefer the familiar word to the far-fetched. Prefer the concrete word to the abstract. Prefer the single word to the circumlocution. Prefer the short word to the long. Prefer the Saxon word to the Romance.

Henry Watson Fowler

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Henry Watson Fowler
Age: 75 †
Born: 1858
Born: March 10
Died: 1933
Died: December 26
Journalist
Lexicographer
Linguist
Pedagogue
Writer
Tonbridge
Kent
Word
Saxon
Long
Concrete
Abstract
Prefer
Romance
Familiar
Short
Single
Fetched

More quotes by Henry Watson Fowler

Image
The purpose of paragraphing is to give the reader a rest. The writer is saying . . . : Have you got that? If so, I'll go to the next point.
Henry Watson Fowler
Image
Those who run to long words are mainly the unskillful and tasteless they confuse pomposity with dignity, flaccidity with ease, and bulk with force.
Henry Watson Fowler
Image
Those who are addicted to the phrase to use a vulgarism expect to achieve the feat of being at once vulgar and superior to vulgarity.
Henry Watson Fowler
Image
The writer's Queen Victoria is his public, and he would do well to keep a bust of the old Queen on his desk with the legend We are not amused hanging from it.
Henry Watson Fowler
Image
Be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid.
Henry Watson Fowler