Happy English Podcast (Natural American English)
by Michael DiGiacomo Happy English
Learn English with the Happy English Podcast. Fun, practical, and useful English lessons for students of all levels and ages. Learn American English idioms, phrasal verbs, pronunciation, confusing vocabulary, grammar and more! Get Happy, Get English. Happy English! Visit myhappyenglish.com to hear all of the episodes.
Episodes
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1118 - How to Use “Instead” Naturally
You know what? Yesterday instead of driving, I took the train. Let’s stay home instead. I ordered tea instead of coffee. Don’t complain. Try fixing it instead. Instead is a very useful word when we choose one thing in place of another. And one of the most important things to notice is the...
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1117 - 5 Natural Ways to Talk About Fall
There’s a chill in the air. The leaves are starting to change. It’s getting dark earlier. It really feels like fall. You can tell winter is coming. Fall gives us a lot of easy, natural ways to talk about the weather and the changes happening around us. So today, instead of focusing on one word or...
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1116 - 3 Ways to End a Conversation
A lot of my students tell me that starting a conversation is easy, compared to ending one. Sometimes ending a conversation can feel a little awkward. You’re ready to leave or stop talking, but you don’t want to suddenly say, “Okay, bye!” So what can you say instead? Today, we’re going to look at...
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1115 - 3 Ways to Ask Someone to Wait
Sometimes you need someone to wait - but simply saying “Wait!” can sound a little strong. The good news is, there are several easy, natural ways to ask someone to wait in everyday conversation. Have you been wondering what you can say instead of just “Wait”? If so, you’re in luck - because today,...
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1114 - How to Use “At First” Naturally
At first, I didn’t like it. At first, I thought he was joking. It was difficult at first, but I got used to it. At first is a very useful phrase when we talk about the beginning of a situation and then show that something changed later. Have you been wondering how to use at first naturally? If…
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1113 - How to Use “Ever” in Conversation
Have you ever been there? Do you ever cook? If you ever need help, call me. Best pizza ever! I hardly ever watch TV. Ever is a small word, but it shows up in a lot of everyday conversations. And depending on the sentence, it can add ideas like at any time, at any point, or even stronger emphasis....
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1112 - How to Use “Somehow” Naturally
We’ll figure it out somehow. Somehow, I lost my keys again. Somehow, he always knows. Somehow is a very useful word in everyday English because we use it when we don’t know exactly how something happened, or when we believe something can happen even if we don’t know the exact way. Have you been...
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1111 – How to Use “Probably” Naturally
I’ll probably stay home tonight. He’s probably busy. Probably not. You should probably call her. Probably is a very common word in everyday English, and we use it when we think something is likely, but we’re not completely certain. But probably can also help make advice and opinions sound softer...
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1110 - How to Use “Otherwise” Naturally
Leave now. Otherwise, you’ll miss the train. Wear a jacket. Otherwise, you’ll be cold. The room was a little small, but otherwise the hotel was great. Unless I hear otherwise, I’ll see you Friday. Otherwise is a very useful word because it can connect ideas in two different ways. Sometimes it…
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1109 - How to Use “Really” in Conversation
Really? Not really. I really like it. Do you really think so? I don’t really know. Really is one of those extremely common words in everyday English that does a lot more than simply mean very. We use it to show surprise, interest, doubt, strong feeling, and sometimes to soften what we say. Have…
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1108 – How to Use “Apparently” Naturally
Apparently, they’re moving. Apparently, the restaurant closed last month. He’s not coming, apparently. Apparently not. Apparently is a very useful word in everyday English because it lets us share information that we learned, heard, or have reason to believe, without saying that we know it for...
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1107 - How to Use “At All” Naturally
I don’t like it at all. Did you sleep at all? Does that bother you at all? Are you hungry at all? Not at all. At all is one of those small expressions that can be easy to overlook, but it adds an important feeling to a sentence. We often use it in negative sentences and questions to mean…
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1106 - How to Use “So Far” Naturally
So far, so good. How’s the trip going so far? I’ve watched three episodes so far. So far, we haven’t had any problems. That’s the best one so far. So far is a very common expression in everyday English, and we use it when we talk about what has happened up to the present point. Sometimes we’re...
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1105 - How to Use “Might As Well” Naturally
We’re already here, so we might as well go inside. It’s raining, so we might as well stay home. If you’re making coffee, you might as well make me one too. Might as well is one of those common conversational phrases that can be difficult to translate word for word, but once you understand the...
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1104 - How to Use “Up To” Naturally
What are you up to? What have you been up to lately? It’s up to you. That’s not up to me. Up to 50 people can attend. Up to is another one of those common conversational phrases that looks simple, but has a number of different meanings depending on the situation. Do you often use up to in your...
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1103 - How to Use “Exactly” in Conversation
Exactly! That’s exactly what I mean. What exactly happened? Where exactly are we meeting? Not exactly. Exactly is a very common word in everyday English, and we use it in several useful ways. Sometimes it shows strong agreement. Sometimes it makes a question more precise. Sometimes it means...
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1102 – How to Use “Whatever” Naturally
Whatever you want. Whatever works. Whatever happens, call me. I’ll eat whatever you’re having. Whatever! Whatever is one of those words that can sound friendly, relaxed, flexible, or even annoyed depending on how you use it. Sometimes it means “anything is okay.” Sometimes it means “it doesn’t...
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1101 – How to Use “Supposed To” Naturally
I’m supposed to meet her at six. You’re not supposed to park here. It’s supposed to rain tomorrow. I was supposed to call you yesterday. What am I supposed to do? Supposed to is one of those expressions you hear all the time in everyday English, and we use it for several different situations. We...
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1100 – How to Use “Matter” Naturally
Does it matter? I think it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we finish on time. That really matters to me. No matter what, I’ll be there. Matter - it's a simple word that reminds me of my high school physics class. But in everyday conversation, we use matter in a number of different ways....
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1099 - To Be Warm In English With Lindsay from All Ears English
In this English lesson podcast, Michael welcomes a special guest - Lindsay McMahon from All Ears English. We are going to talk about what it means to be “warm,” in English. You know, being inviting, being someone other people want to talk to, supporting people, and making them feel heard. And we...
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1098 – How to Use “Right” in Conversation
Go Right. That’s right. We’re meeting at seven, right? All right, let’s go. I’ll do it right away. I need it right now. Right is a very common word in everyday English, and in conversation, it does a lot more than talk about direction. We use it to show that we understand, to confirm information,...
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1097 – Everyday Phrasal Verbs with “Off”
You know, I keep putting off cleaning the garage. They called off the game because of the rain. I’ll drop you off at the station. What time does your flight take off? My alarm went off at five. Off is one of those little words that shows up in a lot of phrasal verbs, and the meaning can change...
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1096 – How to Use “At Least” Naturally
It’ll take at least an hour. At least nobody was hurt. You could at least say thank you. At least I tried. At least is a very common expression in everyday English, and we use it in several different ways. Sometimes it means the minimum amount. Sometimes it helps us look at the positive side of a...
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1095 – How to Use “Pretty” in Everyday English
1095 – How to Use “Pretty” in Everyday English It’s pretty good. I’m pretty sure. That was pretty expensive. We’re pretty busy today. That’s pretty much it. Pretty is a very common word in everyday English, and I’m not talking about pretty meaning beautiful. In conversation, pretty often means...
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1094 – How to Use “Thing” Naturally
The thing is, I’m busy tomorrow. Here’s the thing... That’s the thing. The funny thing is, I actually liked it. The good thing is, nobody was hurt. One thing I like about this neighborhood is how quiet it is. The word Thing is pretty basic word, but in daily English conversation, we use it in a…
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1093 – How to Use “Anyway” Naturally
Anyway, what were you saying? Anyway, I should get going. I didn’t really want to go, but I went anyway. It was expensive, but I bought it anyway. Anyway is one of those very common conversational words that can do a few different jobs. Sometimes we use it to return to the main topic. Sometimes…
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1092 – How to Use “Deal” in Everyday Conversation
That’s fair. That’s not fair. Fair enough. To be fair, he did warn us. Give her a fair chance. Let’s split it fairly. Fair is a common word in everyday English, but we use it in several different ways. Sometimes it means reasonable or acceptable. Sometimes it means treating people equally. And...
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1091 – How to Use “Fair” and “Fair Enough”
That’s fair. That’s not fair. Fair enough. To be fair, he did warn us. Give her a fair chance. Let’s split it fairly. Fair is a common word in everyday English, but we use it in several different ways. Sometimes it means reasonable or acceptable. Sometimes it means treating people equally. And...
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1090 – Six Everyday Ways to Use “Way”
I stopped at the store on the way home. By the way, did you call John? Either way, we need to decide today. No way! You won the tickets? This jacket is way too big. Way is a simple word, but it shows up in a lot of very natural everyday phrases. And in many of these expressions, the word way has...
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1089 – How to Use “No Wonder” Naturally
No wonder you’re tired—you only slept four hours. No wonder the room is cold. The window is open. She practices every day, so it’s no wonder she’s improving. Well, no wonder! No wonder is a very common conversational phrase in everyday English, and we use it when new information explains…
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1088 – What Does “Mean” Really Mean?
What do you mean? I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve been meaning to call you. You mean a lot to me , but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. This lesson is meant to help you speak English better. Mean is a small word, but we use it in a surprising number of everyday situations. We use it to ask…
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1087 – Everyday Phrasal Verbs with “Out"
I found out that the store is closing. I can’t figure out how this app works. We ran out of coffee. Everything worked out in the end. It turned out to be a great restaurant. Phrasal verbs with out show up everywhere in everyday English, and the meaning of out changes depending on the verb. Have…
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1086 - How to Use “That Makes Sense” Naturally
Does that make sense? That makes sense. I’m trying to make sense of this. It makes sense to do that. Financially, it makes sense. Sense is one of those words that appears in a lot of very natural everyday expressions, especially when we’re talking about whether an idea is clear, logical, or...
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1085 – What’s the Point? How to Use “Point” in Conversation
Good point. You have a point. That’s the point. That’s not the point. What’s your point? My point is... What’s the point of arguing? Point is a really common word in everyday conversational English, especially when we’re explaining ideas, agreeing with someone, disagreeing with someone, or trying...
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1084 – How to Use “Mind” Naturally
Do you mind if I sit here? Would you mind closing the window? I don’t mind. Never mind. Keep that in mind. It slipped my mind. Mind is one of those small words that appears in a lot of everyday expressions, and the meaning changes depending on the situation. Sometimes it means that something...
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1083 – See, Watch, or Look? How to Use Them in Real Life
I saw Lisa at the station. We watched a movie last night. Look at this photo. Look, I understand what you’re saying. See, watch, and look are all connected to using our eyes, so it’s easy to mix them up. But there are some important differences. Sometimes something simply comes into view.…
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1082 - How Americans Really Use "It Depends"
"Do you like living in New York?" "It depends." "Should I buy a new laptop?" "Well...it depends." "Is English difficult?" "That depends." "It depends" is one of those little English expressions that we use all the time in everyday English. But did you know that the phrase, "It depends" has a…
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1081 - Bring vs. Take: Which One Should You Use?
Can you bring me a coffee? I'm only taking one suitcase. What should I bring? Don't forget to take your umbrella. Bring your laptop. Take this to the office. Bring and take seem like simple words, but they're easy to mix up. You've probably learned that bring means "move something toward the...
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1080 - Hear or Listen? What’s the Difference?
I heard a strange noise. Listen to this song. Can you hear me? Are you listening to me? Hear and listen. These words are both connected to sound and ears, so it's easy to mix them up. But there’s an important difference. Hearing usually happens naturally. A sound reaches your ears, even when…
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1079 - Phrasal Verbs with "Back" You'll Actually Use
Come back. Call back. Pay back. Give back. Get back. Write back. What do all of these expressions have in common? Well, of course, they all use the word back. But here's the interesting thing. In many of these phrasal verbs, back gives us the idea of returning - returning to a place, returning a...
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1078 - What Does "Go Ahead" Really Mean?
Go ahead. Go ahead and start without me. You go ahead. I'll catch up. Go right ahead. Go ahead, I'm listening. Go ahead. Two simple words that you'll hear all the time in everyday American English. Sometimes we use it to give someone permission. Sometimes it means start or continue. Sometimes we...
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1077 - How Americans Really Use "Come On"
Come on, let's go. Oh, come on! Come on, you can do it. Come on in. Come on over. Come on. Two simple words, right? But depending on the situation and your tone of voice, those two little words can mean hurry up, I don't believe you, you can do it, enter, visit me, or even... that's ridiculous....
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1076 - Stop Mixing Up Miss, Lose, Forget, and Leave
I missed the bus. I lost my keys. I forgot my wallet. I left my phone at the office. These four words seem similar because they all describe situations where something goes wrong. But they don't mean the same thing. Did you fail to catch something? Did you no longer have something? Did you forget...
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1075 - How Americans Really Use "Guess"
I guess so. I guess not. I guess you're right. Let me guess. Guess what? You probably learned that the verb guess means to answer a question when you don't know the answer. And that's true. But in everyday American English, guess has several other meanings. In fact, when native speakers say, "I...
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1074 - How Americans Really Use "I'm Good"
I'm good. We're good. You're good. It's all good. You probably learned that good is the opposite of bad. So you might think, "I'm good" is simply a conversational reply to "How are you. And it is. But in everyday American English, I'm good has several different meanings. We use I'm good to…
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1073 - How You Can Really Use Kind Of
I'm kind of tired. That's kind of expensive. It was kind of weird. I kind of forgot. If you've ever listened to English speakers, you've probably heard the phrase kind of over and over again. But here's the interesting thing. Most of the time, when we say "kind of" we're not talking about a type…
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1072 - How to Use “That Works” Naturally
That works. Works for me. Does that work? That doesn’t work for my schedule. Did you notice, these expressions all use the verb work, but they’re not about having a job. In everyday American English, we often use work to talk about whether a time, a plan, an idea, or a solution is acceptable,...
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1071 - How Americans Talk About Hot Weather
Man! It’s hot as hell. It’s like an oven out there. I’m melting. Crank up the A/C. Time to beat the heat. Hot weather. Everybody talks about it, right? But in English, especially in American English, we don’t only say, “It’s hot.” We have lots of natural expressions for hot days, humid days,...
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1070 - How Native Speakers Really Use "I'm All Set"
I'm all set. You're all set. Are we all set? We're all set. Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm all set," and wondered what they meant? You won't find this expression in many English textbooks, but if you spend any time in the United States, you'll hear it everywhere. At restaurants, coffee...
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1069 - Stop Mixing Up Cost, Spend, Pay, and Buy
How much did it cost? How much did you spend? Did you pay cash? What did you buy? Cost, spend, pay, and buy. These are four very common English words that are related to using money. and English learners often mix them up because they're all connected to money. But here's the thing. They don't...
About this show
Learn English with the Happy English Podcast. Fun, practical, and useful English lessons for students of all levels and ages. Learn American English idioms, phrasal verbs, pronunciation, confusing vocabulary, grammar and more! Get Happy, Get English. Happy English! Visit myhappyenglish.com to hear all of the episodes.
Hosted by
Michael DiGiacomo Happy English