Proper English

In this episode, we talk about how we address each other - sir, madam, doctor, professor, that sort of thing. This week’s idiom is ‘Out of the blue’ - and keep listening after the closing music for a masterclass in how not to pronounce ‘Two thousand and eleven’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). 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!

In this episode, we’re back on the subject of phrasal verbs - this time, we're looking at phrasal verbs associated with cooking. The Idiom of the Week is ‘That takes the biscuit!’ Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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 can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

It's summer, and we're out on a day trip! We're close to the beautiful old city of Tomar, and we're chatting with our first guest - Emma of Portuguese Language Lessons - about the building blocks of the English language: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adjectives and prepositions! Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. 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!

In this episode, we’re tidying up - talking about a few of the little challenges learners frequently puzzle over in English grammar and pronunciation - the ‘Idiom of the week’ is ‘The best thing since sliced bread.’ Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). 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!

Alison’s back! Hurrah! This week we’re talking about capitals (letters, not cities) and how and when to use them when you’re writing English. The Idiom of the Week is ‘The boot is on the other foot’. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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!

In this episode, we’re starting a journey into a topic that always gets a conversation going - the weather! We’re concentrating on words associated with the rain this week, and, appropriately, the Idiom of the Week is ‘a storm in a teacup’. This podcast uses these sounds from Freesound: Long Birds Forest Ambience.wav by Motion_S | License: Attribution Thunderstorm 3.WAV by Sandermotions | License: Creative Commons 0 Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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!

In this episode, we consider silent consonants, and talk about the origins and meaning of the idiom ‘Raining cats and dogs’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) and Instagram (@properenglish2019) to keep up to date with us!

In this episode, we talk about the definite article, and discuss the meaning and various origins of the idiom ‘Painting the town red’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) and Instagram (@properenglish2019) to keep up to date with us!

We're looking at phrasal verbs again in this episode - this time, we're concentrating on the ones we regularly use around the house. 'Let the dog see the rabbit' is 'Idiom of the Week' - we'll be talking about what it means and where it originally comes from. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. 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!

Greetings! In this episode, we’re talking about the different ways we English say hello to each other every day - and this week’s idiom is perhaps not to be taken too seriously - in fact, you can ‘take it with a pinch of salt’! Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) or Tumblr (properenglish). 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!

In this episode, we talk about the differences between the verbs ‘look’, ’see’ and ‘watch’, and discuss the meaning and origins of the idiom ‘Caught red-handed’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4) and Instagram (@properenglish2019) to keep up to date with us!

This week, we’re talking about the pronunciation of some contractions in English - specifically those associated with the verb ‘to be’ and the modal verb ‘will’. The Idiom of the Week is ‘Bob’s your uncle’. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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!

In this, the first episode of the new decade, we're taking it easy, indulging ourselves, being all laidback and talking in hushed tones about the art of relaxation. We're also taking some time (and space) to discuss the difference between infinity and eternity - and the Idiom of the Week is 'let sleeping dogs lie.' You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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 can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Kalimba Relaxation Music" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) "Fanfare for Space" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) This podcast uses this sound from Freesound: ttps://freesound.org/s/498394/ by 16FV16FVolejnikovaA

In this episode, we’re discussing some of the words and aspects of English grammar that even native English speakers find challenging. The Idiom of the Week is 'bite your tongue‘, and we're also considering the difference between 'make' and 'do'. You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. 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 can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt.

Dave’s flying solo this week - talking about the questions we answer on our Instagram page - Proper English Question Time! The Idiom of the Week is ‘Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted’. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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! Music from https://filmmusic.io "White" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

It's the last episode of the year, so we're taking this opportunity to look back on what we've achieved and all the new friends we've made since we started Proper English back in May. Also, we're remembering past New Year celebrations and talking about New Year traditions in the UK. Oh, and a massive THANK YOU to all our listeners across the world - we're really looking forward to the second year of Proper English! You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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 can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This podcast uses the following sound from freesound: https://freesound.org/s/453750/ by kyles

This week, we’re back with more phrasal verbs - this time we’re looking at the ones you might use in your place of work. The Idiom of the Week is ‘Burning the midnight oil.’ Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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!

In this bumper episode, we're beside ourselves with excitement, as we share stories of childhood Christmases, talk about traditional Christmas food - and generally get a bit giddy and giggly with Yuletide cheer! The Idiom of the Week is 'The proof of the pudding'. You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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 can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. This podcast uses the following sound from freesound: https://freesound.org/s/146976/ by zabuhailo

In this episode, we talk about the most important meal of the day - the Full English Breakfast! The idiom of the week is ‘to open a can of worms’. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/properenglish2019), and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4), to keep up to date with what we have lined up. 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!

In this episode, we're incredibly pleased to announce that we're talking about intensifiers - The Idiom of the Week is ‘Many Happy Returns’, and we'll also be discussing the difference between 'got' and gotten'. Like us on Facebook (properenglish2019) and follow us on Twitter (@properenglish4). 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 can always contact us at properenglish@sapo.pt. You can find us on italki at https://www.italki.com/alisondaviskurley or https://www.italki.com/davekurley.This podcast uses these sounds from freesound:https://freesound.org/s/146976/ by zabuhailo https://freesound.org/s/110158/ by justkiddink