Question:
If I wanted to learn how to write in perfect, contemporary mainstream
US/UK English which manual(s) should I buy?
I am aware that finding out what that English is could take a lifetime,
and comments on this are also appreciated.
For sake of simplicity, I am assuming that it means the language (that
should be) written by a very well educated person, in US or UK, when he
wants to be completely understood by the general public. Also, I am only
interested (able to read) english books
Answer:
mainstream US/UK English" by consulting manuals. First, no one's
written English is "perfect". Even native speakers who are experienced
writers make mistakes. You might not notice them, but they do, and so
do other high level readers. Second, I don't think there is any such
thing as "mainstream" English anywhere in the US or UK. If, for
example, you look at the top news magazines in the US, you will see
that each one has its own in-house style. I really hate to read Time
magazine because it's too trendy for me. Newsweek, OTOH, is too boring.
I prefer the Economist's political and social commentary articles. I
also like some of the articles in the NY Times Magazine, some in the
New Yorker, some in Harper's.
The best way to learn how to write the kind of English that you admire
is to read as much of it as you can and absorb what you can. Then
practice writing in that style every day. When you get tired of
imitating what you feel is the kind of English you believe is
mainstream, you might find your own voice and discover that you don't
need to strive for the impossible.
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