Have you ever read phrases like “Let’s touch base” or “We should synergise our efforts”?

You’re not alone.

Corporate jargon pops up everywhere. It might sound polished, but it often complicates things. Especially if English isn’t your first language.

Plain English is clearer. Always.

❌ “Utilise resources” → ✅ “Use resources”
❌ “Synergise” → ✅ “Work together”
❌ “Circle back” → ✅ “Discuss later”
❌ “Touch base” → ✅ “Meet”
❌ “Finalise” → ✅ “Finish”
❌ “Facilitate” → ✅ “Help”

Clear words don’t make you less professional. They make you easier to understand, and that builds trust.

💬 What’s the most confusing piece of jargon you’ve seen lately?

Even the best writers trip over these three.
And yes, even with spellcheck, Grammarly and AI tools at our side.

I know the feeling. You re-read your email proudly… and then bam! A mistake jumps out like a trap-door spider. 🕷️

Here’s the truth: mistakes don’t mean you’re careless. They mean you’re human. Even professionals hit “send” or “publish” with a tiny typo hiding inside.

Confidence in English isn’t about never making errors. It’s about moving past them without losing your voice.

💬 Be honest — which of these three still sneaks into your writing: their, there or they’re?

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

---

1️⃣ Quick Win

Use fewer with countable things, less with uncountable things.

✔ Fewer emails, less stress.
✔ Fewer mistakes, less pressure.

---

2️⃣ Real-World English in Action

Denglish rescue:
A client said: I’m living here since 2015.

In English, we say:
✔ I have lived here since 2015.

---

3️⃣ Christine’s Pick

TED-Ed — short animated videos that explain ideas clearly, with subtitles and transcripts. Great for practising listening and learning something new at the same time.

Start with “Why is English so confusing“.

---

4️⃣ Reader Question

Q: Can I say in the TV?
A: No — we say on TV.
✔ I saw her on TV last night.

---

5️⃣ AI Prompt to Test

Want to try something different? Copy this into ChatGPT and see what comes back:

“Based on what you know about my life, values, and learning style, create 5 original motivational quotes that feel personal to me. Make them short, clear, and inspiring.”

I tried it and got this gem:
“Good enough English is strong enough to open doors.”

---

6️⃣ Spotlight

Ever wondered about the differences between British and American punctuation?

My mini-guide UK vs US Punctuation shows you the key contrasts — clearly explained and easy to remember.
Get it here.

 

A phrasal verb is just a verb + a little extra word:
pick up, turn off, look after.

They’re everywhere in English, especially in informal conversations.

But here’s the tricky part: the meaning often isn’t clear from the words themselves.

❌ “Can you pick me up at 7?” → not “lift me into the air,” but “collect me by car.”

So what’s the trick?

If you’re not sure your listener will understand, use a one-word verb instead.
“Can you collect me at 7?”

Global English isn’t about showing off every phrasal verb you know. It’s about being clear.

💬 Which phrasal verb has confused you (or made you laugh) the most?

---

Ever notice how the last two words of an email reveal more than the whole message? Here’s my field guide:

📨 Best regards — I’m polite. I’m professional. I’ve been stuck in 2007.
📨 Kind regards — I want to sound nice. But not too nice.
📨 Best wishes — I’m warm but professional. Friendly without being too casual. The little black dress of email endings. 😉
📨 Thanks in advance — Please do what I asked. I’ve already assumed you will.
📨 Cheers — I once did an internship in London. Or wish I had.
📨 Warm regards — I’m human. I care. But not in an HR kind of way.
📨 Take care — Soft exit. Possibly hiding discomfort. Possibly American.
📨 All the best — I’ve given up on choosing. This just works.
📨 (Nothing at all) — I’m in a rush. Or senior enough not to care.

Your email ending isn’t just tradition. It’s tone, personality and sometimes a tiny power move.

💬 So tell me: how do you usually sign off?