Your Grammar Is Fine. So Why Does Your English Still Sound Weird? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 27 MIN

Your Grammar Is Fine. So Why Does Your English Still Sound Weird?

from English Breakthrough for Germans · host Mike Budden

Have you ever spoken English and felt that your grammar was correct, but something still sounded a little strange? In this episode, I talk about one of the most important aspects of language learning that many learners overlook: collocations. Collocations are words that naturally go together. Native speakers don't usually build sentences word by word. Instead, they rely on thousands of ready-made combinations, phrases and language chunks that make communication faster, clearer and more natural. Using examples from my German lessons, we'll look at why sentences such as "Ich kämpfe mit Podcasts" or "In Deutschland gibt es keinen echten Kuchen" sound unusual to native speakers, even though the grammar is perfectly correct. You'll learn: • What collocations are and why they matter • Why learning single words is often not enough • Common vocabulary mistakes German speakers make in English • How language chunks help native speakers communicate so efficiently • Practical ways to notice and learn collocations more effectively If you'd like to sound more natural and communicate with greater confidence, this episode is for you. As always, the transcript is available free of charge on Patreon. -> https://www.patreon.com/cw/englishbreakthroughforgermans Enjoy the episode!

Have you ever spoken English and felt that your grammar was correct, but something still sounded a little strange? In this episode, I talk about one of the most important aspects of language learning that many learners overlook: collocations. Collocations are words that naturally go together. Native speakers don't usually build sentences word by word. Instead, they rely on thousands of ready-made combinations, phrases and language chunks that make communication faster, clearer and more natural. Using examples from my German lessons, we'll look at why sentences such as "Ich kämpfe mit Podcasts" or "In Deutschland gibt es keinen echten Kuchen" sound unusual to native speakers, even though the grammar is perfectly correct. You'll learn: • What collocations are and why they matter• Why learning single words is often not enough• Common vocabulary mistakes German speakers make in English• How language chunks help native speakers communicate so efficiently• Practical ways to notice and learn collocations more effectively If you'd like to sound more natural and communicate with greater confidence, this episode is for you. As always, the transcript is available free of charge on Patreon. -> https://www.patreon.com/cw/englishbreakthroughforgermans Enjoy the episode!

NOW PLAYING

Your Grammar Is Fine. So Why Does Your English Still Sound Weird?

0:00 27:57

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives. The Small Business Startup School – Business Notes | Financial Literacy | Retail Psychology – For Professionals & Entrepreneurs The Small Business Startup School Inc. Starting or buying a small business? While personal circumstances may vary, business patterns remain timeless. On The Small Business Startup School, we explore strategies, insights, and practical solutions to help entrepreneurs confidently navigate their journey.Hosted by Ola Williams—a retail entrepreneur, fintech founder, and financial coach with over two decades of experience—this podcast marries financial awareness and retail psychology with optimism to deliver actionable takeaways.Join us to learn, grow, and connect as we uncover the keys to business success.Let’s continue to learn together and be encouraged to keep on connecting! HOMELAND HOMELAND The Church is a body not a building. It's the bride of Jesus Christ! Jesus is coming back for a mature bride. That means it's time for the church of Jesus Christ to move from milk to meat. This is the hour of maturity!HOMELAND is an announcement that the church is being set free. Only the church has the ability to transform the world. The kingdom's of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior!All of creation has been waiting for this moment! Sons and daughters of God are rising up and taking their seat!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of English Breakthrough for Germans?

This episode is 27 minutes long.

When was this English Breakthrough for Germans episode published?

This episode was published on June 16, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Have you ever spoken English and felt that your grammar was correct, but something still sounded a little strange? In this episode, I talk about one of the most important aspects of language learning that many learners overlook:...

Can I download this English Breakthrough for Germans episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!