You CAN get a better English vocabulary if you do these two things…

I’m going to share TWO secrets with you which will help you improve your vocabulary quickly and easily. When your vocabulary is bigger, you can speak with less hesitation. You’ll be more fluent!

Read on for the two secrets…

Secret #1 – Fixed Phrases

When we speak English, we use a lot of “fixed phrases”. These phrases are “standard” phrases we use in a particular situation. For example, if you say “Thank you” I can reply with the fixed phrase “You’re welcome!” Or if you say “Can I take this chair?” I use the phrase “Sure, go ahead!”

These fixed phrases are automatic. When you use a fixed phrase, you don’t have to stop and think for a reply. You can keep the conversation going without thinking and hesitating – so you’ll be able to speak more fluently.

It’s also easier to remember a fixed phrase like “You’re welcome” than to remember each word and the grammar.

Studies show that our conversations include 40% – 80% of fixed phrases – such as collocations, phrasal verbs & complete phrases.

Don’t forget. Fixed phrases aren’t just replies. Often, they can start a sentence. Here are some examples:

“By the way…” (when I want to add something to a conversation)

“If I were you…” (when I want to give you some advice)

“No way!” (when you say something that I think is shocking or surprising)

“Sorry to bother you…” (when you want to ask someone a question, but you know they are busy)

“Just looking thanks!” (when a sales assistant in a shop asks if you want help – you can say “Just looking thanks” to mean you are happy to look)

Secret #2 – Collocations

A collocation means that we naturally put two words together. So we say:

“Good Luck!” (not “good fortune” or “great luck”)

“an only child” (not a unique child or a sole child)

“to apply for a job” (not “to ask for a job”)

A collocation is similar to a fixed phrase because it’s standard, easier to remember and natural. When you use collocations, you’ll sound more like a native speaker!

Remember: if we’re having a conversation and you use the wrong collocation, I’ll probably understand you. But what you say sounds a little strange.

So if you say, “I’m a unique child”, I’ll probably guess that you’re an only child – that you don’t have brothers and sisters. But it sounds strange to me, because the collocation “only child” is completely natural and automatic.

When you learn collocations, it’s easier to remember new vocabulary.

There are more than 120 fixed phrases and collocations in the Speak Real English program, so you’ll know what to say automatically and naturally in everyday conversations! This means you’ll be able to speak English more fluently.

Want to hear more about fixed phrases and collocations? Check out the video below.