You might think, “Google Translate will surely know!” But what if Google’s suggestion doesn’t quite fit, and you want to express it differently?

The most obvious translation for “am Stück” or “in Folge” is “consecutively.”

However, there are times when this expression may sound a bit too formal.

But don’t worry, the English language offers a wealth of alternatives—suitable for both informal and formal contexts. 

Let’s take a look:

• On the trot: This idiomatic expression is mainly used in British English. (The team won seven games on the trot.)
• In a row: This phrase is very common and often sounds more natural than “consecutively.” {The company has made a profit for five years in a row.}
• Back-to-back: This expression is particularly useful when you want to convey that something happens without a break or interruption. (I have back-to-back meetings all day.)
• In succession: This phrase sounds a bit more formal and can be used in written texts to describe a series of events. (The company has acquired several startups in succession.}

Other ways to say “am Stück” or “in Folge” include: ”one after the other,” “non-stop” or “without a break.“

Which of these alternatives do you like best?

Brownie points (perhaps best translated in German as “Pluspunkte”) are invisible rewards you earn for doing good deeds. They don’t have monetary value, but they make people like and appreciate you more.

They’re like a pat on the back. Or words of praise.

To earn brownie points, you simply need to be kind and helpful. Do small things to brighten someone’s day, like holding the door open, letting someone go ahead of you in line or offering to help with the groceries.

These small acts of kindness can make a huge difference in our daily lives! You know: Give, and you shall receive.

Here are some examples of how to use the term “brownie points” in a sentence:

• My husband is working extra late all week to earn brownie points with the boss so he has a better chance of getting a promotion.
• I’m volunteering my time to help the homeless because it’s the right thing to do. But it’s also nice to earn some brownie points.

So, have you earned any brownie points today?

Don’t you find Germans seem to have an unexplained love for commas? 

They scatter them around like confetti at a child’s birthday party. 

In German, it’s perfectly normal to put a comma here:

”Ich weiß, dass du beschäftigt bist.“

But in English, we’d simply write:

“I know that you’re busy.“

No comma needed!

And here are more examples of German sentences:

• “Ich hoffe, dass das nicht wahr ist!”
• “Ich habe eine Schwester, die in Bonn wohnt.”
• “Wir besuchen oft den Park, wo wir unser erstes Picknick hatten.”

The case is clear in English: The comma waits outside, possibly looking in through the window. 

• “I know that it’s not true!“ 
• “I have a sister who lives in Bonn.”
• “We often go to the park where we had our first picnic.”

In German, the comma provides a pause. It lets thoughts unfold, breathe and resonate.

But English likes to jog along briskly. No time for pausing!

Yes, we use commas more sparingly. Less is more perhaps? 

What are your biggest challenges when writing? Do you have any advice for others?

Ever wondered whether it’s “the data are” or “the data is”?

According to the OECD’s style guide, the grammatically correct form is “the data are.“

This aligns with the idea that “data” comes from the Latin word “datum,” meaning “something given” and is plural.

However, using “data” as a singular noun has become increasingly common, especially in recent years. 

For instance, a Google search for “the data are clear” gives 3,560,000 results, while “the data is clear” returns a whopping 41,400,000 results. 

Even well-known news organisations like The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian favour the singular form.

So, which one to choose?

While “the data are” suits a professional tone, in more casual contexts like blogs or emails, “the data is” is perfectly acceptable.

The decision is yours.

What are your thoughts on this?

Did you know that the first letter after the greeting in an English email begins with a capital letter?

It’s like shaking someone’s hand when you meet them for the first time. It’s a polite and professional way to start a communication.

And just like a handshake, it’s important to get it right.

If you don’t capitalise the first letter after the greeting, it’s like walking up to someone and grabbing their hand without saying hello. It’s rude and dismissive.

(Perhaps it’s not that bad, but I think you know what I mean!)

Here’s an example:

Dear Matthew,*

Thank you for inviting me to your birthday celebration next week …

See that capital “T”?

You might think that this is not so important. But I feel that capitalising that first letter after your greeting is a simple gesture that will give your emails that professional oomph.

*By the way, we don’t need the comma after the greeting according to https://www.plainenglish.co.uk/writing-letters.html