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I want to express "*professional English writing style". The writing styles I mean are the ones used in white papers, The Economist, etc. Can I say:

プロような英書きかた{えがきかた}。

Using the precedent of
"英語の文法" ---> "英文"

Can I do this:
"英語の書き方" ---> "英[書]{が}き方{かた}"

Might it sound clever and learned if said by a non-native, but perhaps is not something that a native would actually say.

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  • Sorry, but it sounds anything but clever. You need の after a noun when using ような; 英文 does not stand for grammar as you suggest (on the other hand it is a good candidate for the phrase you want to express); えがき is a verb on its own and 描き方 is widely used phrase. Anyway, an idea of how you want to use the phrase would definitely help.
    – macraf
    Nov 8, 2015 at 22:47
  • @macraf Can you elaborate on your asserting "You need の after a noun when using ような; "?
    – david.t
    Nov 8, 2015 at 22:54
  • @macraf The context is that there are many English writing styles. I want to express the writing style that has the highest level of professionalism. This style is used in white papers, articles published in The Economist, doctoral theses, etc. so, that is what I'm thinking about. Many native speakers would be unable to write at that level.
    – david.t
    Nov 8, 2015 at 23:06
  • That much I understood. I was thinking whether you wanted to praise someone or make a title for a chapter in "how to write like a pro" blog post, or else?
    – macraf
    Nov 8, 2015 at 23:09
  • Not praise at all. Just, a language can be divided into several skill sets. One skill set is the ability to write at a professional level. Writing at this level in your native language is super difficult. Writing at this level in a second language would be almost impossible. That's the best I can do to explain "professional level writing skills."
    – david.t
    Nov 8, 2015 at 23:22

1 Answer 1

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The word for writing style in this context is 文体{ぶんたい}.

Here are some options to qualify that:

  • かしこまった rigid, strict, or official
  • 洗練された polished
  • 高度な advanced
  • 高尚な refined, high culture (perhaps a little snooty)
  • 論文のような like an academic paper
  • 公式文書のような like an official document
  • 経済誌のような like an economic journal

Chain them together as you see fit, for example:

経済誌のようなかしこまった英語の文体

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