The Popular Myth
You’ve probably heard it: “You don’t need grammar or phonetics. Just learn 3000 words — and you’ll speak.”
But let me ask you: what will you do next? How will you connect those words so that people understand you — and so that you understand what they want from you?
One Sound, Two Meanings
Phonetics can change everything. Look at this simple example:
- The people were sinning in the church. — People were committing sins in the church.
- The people were singing in the church. — People were singing in the church.
Only one sound changes: /n/ in sinning vs /ŋ/ in singing. If you mispronounce it, your meaning is gone.
Why Grammar Matters Too
Words are just bricks. Grammar is the cement and the architecture. It:
- shows who is doing what;
- marks time (past, present, future);
- shifts meaning depending on word order.
Example: He only said that ≠ Only he said that. Same words — different idea.
The Question for You
If you only collect words — even 3000+ — how will you:
- express your thoughts clearly?
- avoid changing the meaning with one wrong sound?
👉 Write your answer in the comments: Do you practice grammar and phonetics — or do you believe vocabulary is enough?
🌍 Read this article in other languages:
- 🇷🇺 Русская версия — 3000 слов — и что дальше? Почему одного словарного запаса недостаточно, чтобы говорить свободно
- 🇺🇦 Українська версія — 3000 слів — і що далі? Чому одного словникового запасу недостатньо, щоб говорити вільно
- 🇩🇪 Deutsche Version — 3000 Wörter – und was dann? Warum ein Wortschatz allein nicht reicht, um fließend zu sprechen
- 🇪🇸 Versión en español — 3000 palabras — ¿y luego qué? Por qué el vocabulario por sí solo no te hará hablar con fluidez
Related Articles
- Myth: You Need a Native Speaker to Learn a Language
- Doch heißt mehr than “yes”: Why One Word Can Change the Whole Sentence in German
- Schon vs Bereits: Why One Word Feels Warmer and the Other Colder
About the Author
Tymur Levitin — Founder, Director, Senior Teacher and Translator at Levitin Language School / Start Language School by Tymur Levitin.
With 22+ years of teaching experience, Tymur works with students worldwide, helping them master English, German, and other languages through a practical, human-centered approach.
Global Learning. Personal Approach. · Speak free!
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