
audiobook
by Robert Lowth
A SHORT
PREFACE.
A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH GRAMMAR. - GRAMMAR.
LETTERS.
SYLLABLES.
WORDS.
SENTENCES.
PUNCTUATION.
A PRAXIS, or Example of Grammatical Resolution.
ERRATA.
The work opens with a lively reflection on how English, praised for its elegance and ease, has long suffered from a casual disregard of its own rules. Written in the mid‑eighteenth century, it charts the century‑long growth of the language while pointing out that the very simplicity many celebrate is what allows careless usage to slip through. The author invokes the complaints of earlier critics, such as Swift, to argue that the problem lies not in the language’s structure but in the habits of its speakers.
In a clear, conversational style, the book walks listeners through the essential parts of English grammar—cases, genders, adjective degrees, and the modest handful of verb forms that carry most of the meaning. Critical notes pepper the discussion, highlighting common errors and offering practical examples drawn from contemporary prose and poetry. Whether you’re a student, a writer, or simply curious about the foundations of modern English, the guide provides a concise yet thorough grounding that brings forgotten eighteenth‑century insights into today’s listening experience.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (107K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
London: J. Hughs, 1762.
Credits
Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)
Release date
2023-12-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1710–1787
Best known for shaping the study of English grammar and biblical poetry, this 18th-century churchman brought scholarly precision to subjects that still influence readers today. His work helped define how generations approached language, scripture, and literary style.
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