This week, we're talking about how we use numbers in the English language: mainly about ordinal numbers and fractions. What's an ordinal number? Find out in this week's episode! We're also considering Calendar English - do we say Two Thousand Zero Nine, for instance? And in what order should we put dates? The Idiom of the Week is 'To paint yourself into a corner.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning En...
Nov 10, 2020•11 min•Season 2Ep. 18
This week, we're having a laugh! We're talking about puns, and punchlines, and knock-knock jokes. The Idiom of the Week is 'You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggest...
Nov 03, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 17
We're revisiting superstitions for Hallowe'en - this time we asked our students to tell us about superstitions from their countries. The Idiom of the Week is 'Things that go bump in the night.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any ...
Oct 27, 2020•10 min•Season 2Ep. 16
This week we're answering some of the questions about the English language our students regularly ask. The Idiom of the Week is 'Full of beans.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, you ...
Oct 20, 2020•10 min•Season 2Ep. 6415
This week, we're considering word stress - and we don't mean getting all wound up about vocabulary! We're talking about the importance of emphasising the right syllables. The Idiom of the Week is 'To let the side down.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of...
Oct 13, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 14
We're back with more discourse markers: last week it was stuff we say in conversation - this week, we're looking into the ones we can use in essays and reports. The Idiom of the Week is 'To bite your head off.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, ...
Oct 06, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Well, this week it appears we're all about the little additions, the fillers, the conversational tags, known formally as discourse markers! And this week sees the welcome return of Davidson and Roberts - and with the help of girlfriend Roxy they unravel the mystery of this week's idiom: 'To put the wind up somebody.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us o...
Sep 29, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 12
This week, we're considering some more of the miscellaneous items that don't really into any of the usual categories - the little challenges our students come up against from time to time. The Idiom of the Week is 'To throw a spanner in the works.' And you might hear in the background, our neighbour's dogs barking at his sheep. We're in the countryside, you know. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning Eng...
Sep 22, 2020•8 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This week, we're considering the past simple tense - and in particular, the different ways we pronounce the -ed at the end of the regular past participle. The Idiom of the Week is 'To be at a loose end.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you...
Sep 15, 2020•9 min•Season 2Ep. 10
This week, we're going back to school to learn about the phrasal verbs we use related to education. This lesson was inspired by Miriam and her Speaking Café in Goya, Argentina. This week's idiom is for the Speaking Café students and is 'To pass with flying colours.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our ...
Sep 08, 2020•11 min•Ep. 63
This week, we're all about Alison's favourite drink: tea! The Brits love their tea with milk, but should you put it in the cup before or after the tea? And who cares? This week's idiom is 'Not for all the tea in China'. Oh, and if you know Ali is quoting right at the very end, let us know and we'll give you an honourable mention in next week's episode! Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English gramma...
Sep 01, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 8
We're back after a week's break - in this episode, we're all about the collective nouns. Ever wondered what you call a group of apes? Wonder no more, as Ali becomes a contestant on a strange game show - or is it all a dream? The Idiom of the Week is 'A different kettle of fish.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and ...
Aug 25, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 7
This week, we're looking at the perils and pitfalls of translation, and asking: just how accurate are translation apps? We're talking about a number of different idioms this week - and what happens when you translate them from one language into another and then back… Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our...
Aug 11, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Do you know what the average person spends about 26 years of their life doing? Sleeping, that's what! This week, we're talking about words and phrases associated with sleep. It'll keep you awake at nights… There are two Idioms of the Week: 'Burning the candle at both ends' and 'Counting sheep'. You'll need to do one, if you're doing the other! Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related...
Aug 04, 2020•11 min•Season 2Ep. 5
This week, we open by talking about list sentences and conjunctions - but the real subject is the truth about the clever things that famous people have said - can we believe everything that we read? The Idiom of the Week this week is 'To talk the hind legs off a donkey' - but we're not going to go on about it… Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Insta...
Jul 28, 2020•11 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This week, we're talking about some more of our favourite things: singers, drinks (regular listeners will already know Ali's favourite drink) and one of Dave's favourite things - poetry! The Idiom of the Week is 'to bite off more than you can chew.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - ...
Jul 21, 2020•13 min•Ep. 62
This week, we're back on the subject of phrasal verbs - and this time, we're keeping it in the family! This week's featured idiom is 'Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have any feedback or sugges...
Jul 14, 2020•10 min•Ep. 61
We're back with a new season and a rejuvenated logo! This week, especially for our student Joaquim, we're going to tell you all about our holiday! Also, we're chatting about childhood holidays and we have not one, not two, but *three* Idioms of the Week! Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answ...
Jul 07, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This week we're talking about cats - the cats we've shared our houses with, and the cat-related vocabulary that we use. We're also looking at the difference between 'In the end' and 'At the end' and the Idiom of the Week is 'Let the cat out of the bag.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answe...
Jun 16, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 60
This week, we're all about… what is it we're all about this week? Ah yes, ways to remember things - from remembering the names of the planets in our Solar System to jogging your memory about the number of days there are in the months of the year - we've got a mnemonic for that! And this week sees the return of our intrepid detectives, Davidson and Roberts, on the trail of the Rainbow Burglar. But who is the mysterious Roberta? Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter (...
Jun 09, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 59
What did you do at the weekend? We spent some time in the garden, and tidied our garden shed (it needed it). We found quite a lot of garden-related idioms and - we have a new feature: 'Where on earth does that come from?' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind ...
Jun 02, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 58
This week, it's Alison's turn to fly solo. Don't worry, Dave'll be back next week! It's all about the traditional English pub in this episode, a little bit of history of some pub names, and considering the difference between a pub and a bar. There's also a rundown of the answers to last week's quiz and the Idiom of the Week is 'Not my cup of tea.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-rel...
May 26, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 57
This week we're taking a look at that peculiarly British tradition - the pub quiz! And we're giving you a chance to take part in our very own Proper English Pub Quiz! The Idiom of the Week is 'Head in the clouds.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of perso...
May 19, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 56
This week, we return to the theme of names - we're concentrating on the wild and wonderful place names in England this time. The Idiom of the Week under investigation by Davidson and Roberts is 'Off the top of your head.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind ...
May 12, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 55
This week, Proper English is one year old! To celebrate, we're telling you the story of how this little podcast came into existence, what we've been doing this year, and what we've got in store for you in the future! We're also discussing the difference between the words 'sensible' and sensitive, and the Idiom of the Week is 'You can't have your cake and eat it!' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning Eng...
May 05, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 54
This week, we're talking about our names: first names and surnames - how they're spelt and pronounced, where they come from, and what they mean. We're also looking at the the difference between 'sound' and 'noise', and the Idiom of the Week is 'My name is mud.' Also, we're having a little competition: if you come up with a first name for Detective Inspector Davidson - and we like it - not only will you get a mention, but we'll use it in a future sketch! Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ),...
Apr 28, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 53
This week, we're talking with Carla, one of our students, about her experiences as a Brazilian living and studying in London. The Idiom of the Week is Carla's take on the words she didn't learn in English class. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person,...
Apr 21, 2020•15 min•Season 1Ep. 52
This week, we're discussing some of the obstacles English language learners face when trying to polish their conversational skills. We'll also be looking at the difference between 'each' and 'every', and Sergeant Roberts learns from his girlfriend Roxie the meaning of the idiom 'A chicken and egg situation.' Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagr...
Apr 14, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 51
We like to do something different in every episode - this week, we're reciting poetry! We're talking about rhythms and rhyme schemes, alliteration and assonance, and sad subjects and silly verse! Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related question, why not ask us on Instagram ( properenglish2019 ), and we'll do our best to answer - or, if you're an email kind of person, and you have an...
Apr 07, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 50
This week, we're returning to the subject of prepositions - this time around, we're concentrating on the prepositions we use when we talk about time. We're also looking at the difference between 'allowed' and 'aloud', and long-suffering Detective Inspector Davidson has to explain to her sergeant what the idiom 'The penny dropped' means. Like us on Facebook ( properenglish2019 ), and follow us on Twitter ( @properenglish4 ) or YouTube . Oh, and if you have a burning English grammar-related questi...
Mar 31, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 49
