I love catching those tiny translation mistakes that make you sound… well, German.

Here’s what I often hear:

• “I will inform you until Friday”
• “I became a call yesterday”
• “I am holding a presentation next week”

What you actually want to say:

• “I’ll let you know by Friday”
• “I received/got a call yesterday”
• “I’m giving/delivering a presentation next week”

The funny thing?

Native speakers understand you perfectly. But these small tweaks make ALL the difference in how professional we sound.

My tip?

Pick one phrase that you use often and consciously switch it for a week. Just one. Once that feels natural, move to the next. Small changes, big impact on how confident you sound.

“I have my own office.” Not “I have an own office.“

I often hear this mistake in my coaching sessions. And I understand why it happens. German speakers want to translate directly from their language.

They think about “ein eigenes Büro.” So they write “an own office.“

But English doesn’t work that way. We use possessive adjectives:

My own
Your own
His own
Her own
Their own
Our own

It’s simple once you know it.

So remember… always pair “own” with a possessive adjective. Never use “an” or “a” before “own.” Keep it personal.

Because when you master these small details, something bigger happens. Your English flows naturally and your confidence grows.

“I’m so confused about these words.“

That’s what I often hear from my clients.

They’re stuck between “disappointed” and “disappointing.”

Always second-guessing. Always hesitating. Always unsure which one to use.

Let me break this down for you with crystal-clear simplicity:

• “Disappointed” is about YOU. It’s the emotion you’re feeling inside.
• “Disappointing” is about IT. It’s what’s causing that emotion.

Think about it this way:

When you say “I’m disappointed” – that’s your emotional state. When you say “The result is disappointing” – that’s what created those feelings.

Still with me?

Here’s the simplest way to remember:

• If YOU feel it → disappointed
• If IT causes it → disappointing

The formula never fails: You’re disappointed BECAUSE something is disappointing.

This isn’t complex grammar theory. This isn’t advanced English.

It’s practical clarity that works every time.

And here’s what I know for sure:

Once you grasp this distinction, you’ll never mix them up again.

Because confidence in English isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about excelling at the essentials that matter most.

And this? This is one of those essentials.

Welcome to this week’s Sparks Plus — your quick, practical boost for clearer, more confident English.
Five short sections, all easy to read and use right away.

---

1️⃣ Quick Win

A friend of me ❌
A friend of mine ✔

Why?
In English, after “a friend of…”, we use mine, yours, his, etc. (possessive pronouns).

✔ She’s a friend of mine.
✔ He’s a colleague of hers.

---

2️⃣ Real-World English in Action

Denglish rescue:
A client said: I’ll make a photo of the team.

In English, we take a photo, not “make” one.
✔ I’ll take a photo of the team.

---

3️⃣ Christine’s Pick

Listening Resource: VOA Learning English – Everyday Grammar — short, clear grammar and usage tips in slow, clear English. Great for listening and reading at the same time.

---

4️⃣ Reader Question

Q: Should I use “which” or “who” when I’m talking about people?

A: Use who for people, which for things:
✔ I spoke to the woman who called yesterday.
✔ This is the report which I mentioned.

---

5️⃣ Spotlight

Want to make your English conversations more interesting?
Get my guide Spice Up Your Conversations — 25 simple questions to help you connect, go beyond small talk, and feel more natural when speaking English.
Download it here.

I’ve coached German professionals for 25+ years. And here’s what I discovered about German directness in English:

It’s not a weakness. It’s actually your superpower.
(But you need to know how to use it correctly)

Germans are known for getting straight to the point. And guess what? In business, that’s exactly what people want.

The secret is adding a few simple elements:

1. Would you mind… ? → Opens dialogue
2. Could you… ? → Shows respect
3. Please → Changes everything
4. Thank you → Builds bridges
5. A smile → Breaks barriers

Your German precision + these small adjustments = Perfect business communication

Don’t try to completely change your communication style. Just polish what you already have. In other words… Your directness isn’t the problem. It’s your greatest asset.

P.S. Are you still holding back in English because you think your directness is “too German”?