King's English

Meaning

1. 1nounsingular

   The standard, correct form of the English language, especially as taught in Britain and used by educated speakers.

   Grammar: Takes a singular verb and normally has the: he speaks the King's English.

   Patterns

   • speak the King's English
   • murder the King's English

   My grandfather insisted that we speak the King's English at the dinner table.

   The headmaster winced whenever pupils murdered the King's English with slang.

   She writes in perfect King's English, even in her text messages.

Common combinations

speak the King's English

The old professor always spoke the King's English, even when angry.

murder the King's English

Reality shows seem to murder the King's English every week.

in the King's English

Say it in the King's English, please, not in jargon.

abuse the King's English

The critic accused the author of abusing the King's English.

Synonyms and how they differ

standard English

This is the neutral linguistic term and does not carry the royal, slightly nostalgic flavor of King's English.

correct English

This simply stresses accuracy, while King's English also suggests a traditional, upper-class idea of correctness.

Received Pronunciation

This concerns accent only, whereas the King's English covers grammar and vocabulary as well.

Opposites

Word family

Queen's English noun

the same idea when a queen is on the throne

Standard English noun

the accepted form used in education and media

English noun

the language itself

Commonly confused: King's English or Kings English?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “King's English”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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