About us
The King's English Society
was founded in 1972 as the
Queen's English Society.
The Society works to encourage high standards of written and spoken English and welcomes like-minded people from anywhere in the world.
Language will continue to evolve just as it has done through the ages but we aim to help people avoid the confusion which arises when language is used imprecisely and does not deliver clarity.
Quest
Our quarterly magazine Quest, available free of charge to subscribers, explores all aspects of the English language, from its use (and misuse) to its origins, its influences, the ways in which it has evolved and continues to develop, and the various means by which it makes itself available and accessible in the world.
Please follow the link below to view excerpts from our Summer 2025 issue:
Find out moreEvents
We have a lively programme of monthly talks on matters related to English language and literature, both in person in London W1 and on Zoom. Any member of the Society may attend in person without giving prior notice, and guests are welcome as potential future members.
Zoom meetings are open to members and non-members alike.
Pot Pourri
This is the page on which we post examples of writing, opinion pieces, observations, and information to celebrate the wealth, diversity, and sometimes the contrariness of the English language and its use. We aim to demonstrate that language is not merely a discipline but something we can relish and enjoy while learning more about it along the way.
You are welcome to submit pieces for possible inclusion on this page by emailing them to webmaster@kingsenglishsociety.org.
Find out more
Prizes
The Society runs regular competitions such as our very popular quarterly poetry competition which is open to all and entry is free. Each entrant may submit two poems not previously published or currently submitted for publication elsewhere, each poem comprising a maximum of 20 lines in the author’s choice of form. Announcements of the poetry competition are made here on our website and on social media at the end of the months of February, May, August, and November.
Find out moreResources
Here you will find details of publications dealing with many aspects of English: grammar, spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, national variations, speech, conversation, accents, linguistics, phonetics, lexicography, literature, illiteracy, Shakespeare, the Bible, and Milton. There are textbooks for schools, about ten popular self-help books on English for the layman, and several books on humorous aspects of English.
There are also useful guides to English usage and links to other organisations who share our objectives and who offer information and learning resources.
Find out more
Join us
Turn your interest into membership of the Society, a charity founded in 1972 as the Queen's English Society. You will be part of a growing number of people who are concerned about promoting high standards of written and spoken English. We welcome anyone who shares our objectives, especially teachers because they have a clear role in teaching future generations, and also members of the business community to whom clarity of expression is so important.
Membership benefits include a copy of Quest, the journal of the King's English Society, which is published quarterly. Excerpts from the Summer 2025 issue of Quest can be found on our Quest Flipbook.
Become a member
Contact
us today
The Society welcomes people from anywhere in the world with an interest in excellence in
the use of English. Join us in our mission to encourage greater clarity and elegance in the
way our language is spoken and written.
Do I have to live in the UK to join? No, you don't, anyone can became a member.
Are events available on Zoom? Yes, all events will be available there.
Can non-members attend certain events? Yes, they can.