Happy English Podcast

Let’s table this. That’s what the boss said. And then someone else said, we need to pivot. So then I suggested we take it off line, but the boss said, Let’s not reinvent the wheel. Ah, the language of business.

have you ever been in a meeting or on a Zoom call and someone says something like, “Let’s circle back on that” or “We need to pivot”… and you’re just sitting there thinking, “Wait, what did that mean?” Today, let’s take a closer look at what these buzzwords really mean in plain English - and how native speakers use them in everyday business conversations. 

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I know that I promised to keep you in the loop, so I’m touching base with you in this podcast English lesson to let you know I’ve been thinking outside the box and everything you need to improve your English is here in the pipeline. 

Today, we're going to look at six of the most common idioms you’ll hear in American offices, and help you sound more natural and confident at work - or at least understand what your coworkers are saying.

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One of the biggest secrets to sounding natural in English is something called the schwa sound. It’s the most common sound in American English, and it’s a huge reason why native speakers sound so smooth and relaxed when they talk.

The schwa sounds like uh - not strong or clear, just soft and lazy: uh. We use it in many unstressed syllables and small words: Like the vowel sounds in umbrella, the a in what [whut], the i in anima [AN-uh-muhl] and the a in  Sofa  [SO-fuh]. 

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In today’s Saturday Short, Michael talks about one of the newest slang expressions to hit the English language — “6-7.”
You’ll learn where this Gen Z phrase came from, how people use it online, and why it’s more about vibe than grammar.
It’s short, fun, and a perfect look at how English keeps evolving.
So, what does “6-7” really mean? Let’s find out together!

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Boo! Did I scare you? I hope not. Halloween is literally right around the corner, and depending on where you live that may or may not have any particular meaning for you. But in the USA? Well, let’s go trick or treating...

Thanks for tuning in. And hey, Happy Halloween! 🎃👻 If you’re listening to this on October 31st - or even a day or two later - I hope you’re feeling the spooky season vibes. Two weeks ago, we kicked off our Halloween series with some scary vocabulary. And today, we’re keeping the Halloween spirit alive with something a little different - a look at how Halloween is really celebrated here in the USA.

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“Are we there yet?” That’s a question you’ve probably heard - or maybe even asked - especially if you’ve ever taken a road trip with kids:  “Are we there yet?” “Not just yet!” 

Yet is just a three-letter word, but it’s packed with meaning. It helps you talk about time, expectations, contrast, and even emphasis. And once you learn how to use yet naturally, your English is going to sound a whole lot more fluent. So today, let’s look at four of the most common ways we use yet - and I’ll show you how this tiny word makes a big impact in everyday conversation. 

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Let me ask you something - have you ever noticed how often people say get in English?  I mean seriously - we get tired, we get pizza, we get better, we get going, we get caught in the rain, and we get used to the cold. Well, some of us.  Get is one of the most flexible and common verbs in English - and native speakers use it all the time in conversation. So today, let’s get into it… and take a look at five of the most useful ways we use get in natural, everyday English.

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Hey there! It’s Michael here, and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better.

Today, let’s look at two really common and super natural phrases you’ll hear in everyday English: “You know what?” and “Guess what?” We use both of these when we want to grab someone’s attention - usually before we share some news, an idea, or an opinion. They make your speech sound lively and conversational and they’re kind of like how we say, “Hey, listen to this!”

Like:  “You know what? I think I’m finally getting used to this cool weather.” Or: “You know what? I’ve decided to start going to the gym again.”

And guess what? is even more playful. We use it when we’re excited to share news or something surprising.
 Like:  “Guess what? I passed my driving test!”  Or:  “Guess what? My favorite band is coming to Japan!”

When you use you know what or guess what, your tone matters. Both phrases sound best with energy and a rising intonation - it builds a little excitement before you say your news. So remember...you know what and guess what, are great for starting a story, sharing good news, or giving an opinion in a fun, natural way. And you know what? I think you’re gonna sound even more fluent when you start using these in your conversations!

Oh, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

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I suggest you listen carefully to this podcast. And if you’re with a friend right now, I suggest he listen carefully as well. Or she listen carefully. I mean, if I were you, I’d definitely stick around for this one.

Today we’re diving into a part of English grammar that doesn’t follow the usual rules - but native speakers use it all the time without thinking twice. Especially in American English. It’s called the subjunctive mood - and while that might sound technical or tricky, it’s actually pretty simple once you know how it works. So today, I’ll walk you through four common ways we use the subjunctive - all with real-life, everyday examples.

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Hey, let me ask you a question - have you ever made a decision… and then later thought, “Oh man, I shouldn’t have done that”? Or maybe you’ve thought, “If only I had done it differently.” Yeah. That, my friend, is regret - and we all feel it sometimes. Regret is one of those universal emotions - something everyone experiences. And in English, we’ve got a few really natural and emotional ways to talk about it. So today, I’ll show you how to use phrases like “I should have,” “I wish I had,” and “If only I had” - plus some everyday expressions people use when they mess up. 

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Hey there! It’s Michael here  -  and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better.

Today, let’s look at a super common phrase you’ll hear in everyday English: “You know what I mean?” We use you know what I mean? to seek agreement or to check if the other person understands us. It’s kind of like soft tag questions, like isn’t it? that keeps the conversation friendly and connected.

Like, in the office, you might say: “There’s something strange about the new marketing manager, you know what I mean?” OR  “That meeting felt way too long, you know what I mean?”
And on a rainy Monday, “Man, this weather makes me so sleepy, you know what I mean?”
Again, when you say you know what I mean, you’re not really asking for information. You’re just trying to connect what you’re thinking with the other person. It makes your English sound more relaxed, natural, and conversational. And here’s a quick pronunciation tip  -  in real life, we often say it like this: “Y’know what I mean?” Go ahead, try saying that out loud.

So remember, you know what I mean? is a great way to show understanding, invite agreement, and sound more like a native speaker. You know what I mean?

Oh, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening  -  and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

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Welcome - and by the way - thanks for stopping by today! I’ve been thinking… by is one of those little words that shows up everywhere in English.  It’s just two letters, but it does a lot of work. 

Today we’re gonna take a close look at by - and I think you’ll be surprised at how many different ways we use it. You’ve probably seen BY in phrases like “by the time I got there,” or “a book by Hemingway,” or even “I’ll finish it by Friday.”  Yeah - by is short, but powerful.  Time, location, who did something, how something happens… yep, by does it all.  So, let’s break it down - nice and easy.

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With Halloween right around the corner, I thought it’d be fun to do a little Halloween-themed English. So for the next three weeks, we’re going to dive into some spooky vocabulary, creepy idioms, and even take a look at how Halloween is celebrated in the U.S. Let’s kick it off today with something super useful - Halloween vocabulary!  Now, you might be thinking, “Michael, I’m not a fan of horror movies.” That’s totally fine!  But you know what? These words aren’t just for Halloween. Native speakers use them in everyday conversation  -  often in a humorous or exaggerated way. So let’s jump in before something…jumps out.

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Did you know? Eating healthy foods can make you healthy, but I heard that drinking certain wines with cheeses can make you happy. Foods? Wines? Cheeses?

You know, English is a strange language sometimes. Like, words that are usually uncountable suddenly show up with an “s” on the end. Like…foods, cheeses, and wines? Wait a minute — aren’t those uncountable nouns? Well… yes! But also… no. Let me show you how it works — and why it actually makes a lot of sense once you understand the pattern.

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Hey there! It’s Michael here and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better.

Today, let’s look at a really common and powerful phrase: “Let me tell you something.” We use let me tell you something when we want to share our feelings, give an opinion, or emphasize what we’re about to say. It helps grab the listener’s attention and makes your speech sound more natural — and more emotional.

Let’s say your friend just ask you about a new restaurant in town. You could say:
 “Oh, let me tell you something - their pasta is incredible!”
Or maybe you saw a movie, and a friend says she heard it’s boring. You can say:
 “Let me tell you something, that movie is one of the best I’ve seen this year.”
We also use it when we feel strongly about something:  “Let me tell you something — learning English takes time, but it’s totally worth it.”

So remember, let me tell you something is a great way to add emotion, confidence, or strong opinion to what you say. It’s natural, it’s friendly, and it really makes your English sound alive.
And let me tell you something - if you keep practicing with these Saturday Shorts, your English is only going to get better and better! Oh, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

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Hey, can you believe it? This is Episode 900 of the Happy English Podcast. Nine. Hundred. Episodes. I can hardly believe it myself. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way!

I just want to take a moment today to say how grateful I am to YOU. Whether this is your first time listening, your 50th time, or you’ve been here since Episode 1, thank you. The fact that you listen, learn, and grow with me is what keeps me showing up here week after week. So today, I want to share a little bit of my story, what I’ve learned from doing 900 episodes, and some advice for you on your English journey.

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Here’s a question. Have you ever heard someone say ain’t in a song or a movie? Like, <“Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone,”> or “I ain’t got no time for that”? Maybe you wondered… is ain’t actually English? Well, it sure ain’t in the textbooks, but it is in real life! And I ain’t kidding. 

Today we’re diving into a word that confuses a lot of English learners - ain’t. It’s not considered “standard” grammar, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. In fact, native speakers use ain’t all the time in casual, spoken English, and especially in music, movies, and everyday conversation. So, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “What does ain’t even mean?” - today’s episode is for you.

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You know, I started this podcast in 2014 so I can help people speak English better. And now, there are so many podcast episodes, It’s almost near a thousand. So, check this one out. 

Today, we’re talking about so. Just two letters - S-O. But this little word works overtime in English. We use so to show a result, to give a reason, to add emphasis, and yeah, we even use it when we’re not sure what to say next. So let’s break it down. I’ll show you four ways we use so, with lots of examples to help you sound more natural when you speak English. 

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Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better.

Today, let’s look at three really natural phrases: kind of, sort of, and a bit. We use these to soften what we’re saying. They make a statement sound less strong, less direct — and that makes your English sound more natural in everyday conversation.
For example, let’s say you’re tired after work. Instead of just saying, “I’m tired,” you can soften it by saying: “I’m kind of tired today.”  Or: “I’m a bit tired after work.” Here’s another one. Imagine you saw a movie, but you didn’t really love a it, but you don’t want to sound too negative. You could say:  “That movie was sort of boring.”  It’s not as harsh as, “That movie was boring.”

So remember — kind of, sort of, and a bit are like little cushions for your sentences. They soften your opinion and make it sound friendlier and more natural. So, are you kind of ready to try these out in your own conversations? I bet you are! Oh, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

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Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English, Phrasal Verb Friday. I’m here every Friday, with a quick, one-point English lesson to help you learn one new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. Today’s phrasal verb is jazz up.

When you jazz something up, it means you make it more interesting, exciting, or attractive. It’s like giving something a little extra style or energy. Like, my friend Lisa was hosting a party last weekend. She jazzed up her living room with some cool lights and a new playlist. At work, Tony jazzed up his presentation by adding some funny memes. And me? Well, I jazzed up my dinner the other night by adding some hot chili sauce.

So how about you? Do you like to jazz up your cooking, your house, or maybe even your social media posts? Leave a comment below, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verb Friday. Thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

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They didn’t even say thank you.  Not “they didn’t say thank you.” They didn’t even say thank you. So… what’s the deal with even in negative sentences?

In Episode 880, we looked at how to use even in general - like for comparisons and emphasis. But today, we’re going to zoom in on something more specific… and honestly, something really common - using even in negative sentences.

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It was very cool this morning. Like around 11 degrees celsius. When I took Max for a walk I was actually surprised it was so cool. Like, there’s a nip in the air kinda cool. Boy, I’m hoping this coming winter isn’t too cold. Let’s see how it goes.

These three little words - too, very, and so - all come before adjectives, and they all talk about how much of something there is. Like, how hot, how tall, how tired… but the feeling and intention behind each word is a little different. So today, we’re going to break it all down with real examples, and I’ll show you exactly how to use them naturally. 

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I’m so hungry. No time for lunch today. No wonder my stomach is grumbling. That’s why i decided to order a double cheeseburger and some fries...at the diner. 

Because is a great word - and it’s totally correct. But when it comes to speaking naturally, we often don’t use because directly. Instead, we give the reason in a more casual, fluent way. So today, I’ll show you how native English speakers give reasons in conversation - without actually saying because. 

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Now, when you want to ask why in English, sure, you can just say “why.” But in everyday conversation, native speakers often use a more casual phrase: “How come?” “How come” means the same as “why,” but it sounds softer, friendlier, and very conversational. And, it’s easy to use. You can use it by itself!  Like, your friend says, “I’m skipping lunch today.” You can ask, “How come?” Or your coworker says, “I can’t make it to the meeting.” You can ask, “Oh really? How come?”

You can also put how come in front of any sentence to make a casual question. Like, if your friend never comes to the karaoke party, you can ask, How come you don’t like karaoke? Or if a coworker comes to the office late, you can ask, How come you came late this morning. 

How come. It’s short, casual, and super natural. So next time, instead of just “why,” try saying “How come?”

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We often use a negative question like “Isn’t this…?” or “Aren’t you…?” in conversation. Technically, these are not questions for asking something. They are a casual and friendly way to confirm something or make a suggestion.
For example, if you and your friend are at the peir on a sunny day, you might say:   “Isn’t this a perfect day for fishing?”  You’re not really asking for information — you’re confirming what you already think. OR "Aren't these donuts delicious!”
Or if you’re making a suggestion, you can use the same pattern. Like:  “It’s almost 5pm. Isn’t it better to take the subway?”  Here, you’re giving your suggestion in the form of a question. Here’s another one. “The exam is a week away. Shouldn’t you start studying?”
So remember, negative questions like “Isn’t it…?” and “Aren’t you…?” are great for confirming ideas or suggesting something in a very natural, conversational way. “Isn’t that interesting!” So, aren’t you gonna try to use this kind of English in your conversations?

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Today’s phrasal verb is slack off.  When you slack off, it means you become lazy about your work, your studies, or your responsibilities. You don’t try as hard as you should.

Like, my friend Eddie started going to the gym in in July, but by the middle of this month, he really started to slack off. And in the office, Jenny was slacking off all week, so now she has to stay late to finish her project.  And me? Honestly speaking, I’ve been slacking off on studying Japanese reading and writing. But now that I have Sayaka-sensei’s new book, Japanese Kanji from scratch, I’m a lot more motivated. 

By the way, notice the pronunciation: slack off…slack-koff (2x). We connect the K at the end of slack with off: slack-koff.

So how about you? Do you ever slack off — maybe at work, school, or even with your hobbies? Leave a comment below, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Friday Phrasal Verb. Thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

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Hey, let me ask you a question - You’ve studied English grammar, haven’t you?  And you’ve probably heard tag questions or negative questions before, right? Well, isn’t this going to be an interesting lesson for you!

It's a nice day, isn't it? That's a Tag Question, and today, I’ll show you how these work - and how you can use them to sound more like a native speaker. 

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Unless you have something else to do right now, You should listen to this whole podcast episode. And as long as you’re listening, why not take notes...In case you want to use the phrases from this lesson in your daily English. 

These three little phrases - unless, as long as, and in case - all help us talk about situations that might happen. But they each have a different nuance, and getting them right can make your English sound much more natural. Let's dive in!

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You know what? I’ve got a question for you. Or… should I say, I have a question for you? Hmm. Which one sounds better? Or… are they both OK?  

For many English learners, “have got” can be a little confusing. I mean, we’ve got “I have a dog,” and “I’ve got a dog”… and both are correct? What’s going on here? Well today, we’re going to break it all down — grammar, style, and real-world usage — so you’ll know exactly how and when to use “have” and “have got.” 

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Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English Sunday Speak. Every Sunday, I’ll be here with a quick one-point tip to help you speak English more naturally.

One thing you need to know how to do in English is to communicate that you understood what someone said. Like if someone gives you directions on the street. You could say, Oh ok, I understand. And sure, that’s correct English — but it can sound a little formal or stiff in everyday conversation. In everyday, English conversation, we use the compact form of I understand, gotcha. Gotcha is the short and quick version of “I got what you said.” “I gah-twa-cha-said” “gotcha!

Like, your friend says, “Let’s meet at 7 instead of 6.” You can just reply, “Gotcha.”
Or your coworker says, “Don’t forget to send that email before lunch.” You can answer, “Gotcha.”
Or if someone gives you directions — “Turn left at the bank and then right at the station.” — you can simply say, “turn left, and then right. Gotcha.”

It’s short, it’s casual, and it sounds super natural. So next time instead of “I understand,” try saying “Gotcha.”

So what do you think of these Sunday Speak podcasts? Leave a comment below!

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Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better.
 
Today, let’s look at a commonly used conversational phrase is “by the way.”
We use by the way when we want to add something to the conversation, kind of like when we need to change the topic, or bringing up an extra point. It’s casual, friendly, and super common in everyday English.

Like of you’re at a party, catching up with a friend. You can say something like, “It’s great seeing you tonight. Oh, and by the way, how’s your brother doing?” OR if you’re talking to a coworker about something and you want to bring up another point. The conversation can go like this. “Yea, I finally finished that coding project this morning. Oh, by the way, did you get a chance to check your email?”

Using by the way is like saying, “Oh, there’s one more thing…” but in a natural, conversational way.
Oh, and by the way? What do you think of these Saturday short podcasts? Leave a comment below

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Fall is right around the corner. Soon there will be a nip in the air as you look at the harvest moon, while sipping your pumpkin spice latte. When the season changes, so does the way we talk. So today, before Indian Summer comes, let’s dive into some seasonal vocabulary and phrases that’ll help you talk about fall just like a native speaker.

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Let me say right now, this ain’t gonna be your average English lesson. And even considering that I’ve been teaching English for over 30 years, I ain’t got no problem sharing this information with you. What I’m trying to say is, would you mind if I break some grammar rules today?

In this lesson, I want to show you how native speakers break grammar rules — and why that’s actually a part of sounding more natural when you speak.

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I came up with this podcast yesterday. I even wrote some of it in the car. And even though I touched on this topic in a podcast like 10 years ago, this lesson is ever better. 

Have you ever heard someone say something like, “It’s even colder today than yesterday,” or “He even brought his cat to the party,” and thought… what’s going on with that little word even? It’s just four letters, but even does a lot of work in English. Native speakers use it all the time — in comparisons, for contrast, for emphasis — and in a few fixed phrases, too. So today, let’s break it down.

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Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better.
 
Today’s point is one that even native speakers sometimes get mixed up: 👉 everyday which is one word vs. every day which is two words. Here’s the deal:

Everyday (which is one word) is an adjective. It means “common” or “ordinary.” Like, Having a cup of green tea is part of my everyday routine.  Or These sneakers are my everyday shoes. Your everyday something is common or usual for you. 

On the other hand, every day (which is two words) means “each day.” For example: I drink coffee every day. Or Meg goes for a jog every day before work. So, when something happens each day, it is an every day (that’s two words) activity. 

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I saw one of my old students the other day. I was like, how’s it going, and he goes, I finally found a new job. And I go, that’s awesome. And he was like, I finally got a job using English. And I was like, that’s really fabulous!

Have you ever gotten stuck trying to figure out when to use say and when to use tell? These words seem really similar, but they’re used in different ways. So today, let’s break it down, nice and easy, with some everyday examples. And then, I’m gonna show you two other, more natural ways to talk about what someone said, that are not found in most textbooks.

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Hey! I see you’re right on time for this lesson. Take your time, get comfortable. I’m not gonna kill too much time here because as you know, time flies!

So today, I’m going to cover six of the most common time expressions: kill time, run out of time, take your time, right on time, about time, and time flies. Then, I’ll also tell you about some proverbs with “time” and the funny little paradox that goes along with them. You’re gonna want to listen all the way through to learn about that.

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Would you mind checking out this English lesson? Maybe you could try using some of the phrase here in your conversations this week? Do you think you could even tell a friend about this podcast? That would be great!

In everyday conversation, we often like to soften our requests — we make them indirect. It feels more polite, more friendly, and honestly, it just sounds more natural.
So today, I want to show you some of these indirect phrases that we use all the time. 

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Hey there, it’s Michael here from the Happy English Podcast — and welcome to another Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English naturally. Did you know that when you are interested in doing something you can say “I’m down for that.” And — you can also invite someone to do something with a slightly different phrase “Are you up for that?” Listen to this podcast to learn more!

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You wanna sound more natural in English? I’m on it. You want me to teach that kind of lesson? Yeah, will do. You need my help to speak better? Gotcha. Today, that’s what we’re all about here!

In real conversation, we use more relaxed, casual phrases — and they’re often shorter and more natural-sounding.  So today, I want to show you some of those everyday expressions that native speakers use instead of formal grammar. You’ll sound more fluent — and you’ll feel more confident, too.
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Don’t worry, I’m not gonna rain on your parade today, even thought it’s pouring outside here. Nope, come rain or shine, I’m always excited to bring you these podcast English lessons.

Today, I thought we’d take a look at some natural rain vocabulary, along with some really common idioms and phrases that native speakers use when the skies open up. 

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Thanks for making time to listen to this podcast English lesson. I’m so happy that you’ve made up your mind to improve your English. And yeah, everyone’s really busy these days, but somehow, you make it work. That’s awesome!

Today, we’re gonna break down five super useful and natural phrases: Make it work, Make time, 
Make up your mind, Make a mess, and Make do And I’ll give you a few examples for each — all woven into real-life situations so you can see how native speakers actually use them. 

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Welcome to another Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English naturally. Today, let’s clear up something tricky: stop doing vs. stop to do. 

These two sound similar, but they mean totally different things. Here's how we use them. 

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I saw Halloween decorations at the store yesterday. What a reality check. I guess summer is almost over and we need to get back into the swing of things!

Today, I want to talk about two big things that happen at the end of the American summer: Getting ready to go back to school and Labor Day weekend — the last big hurrah before fall kicks in. And along the way, I’ll toss in a few idioms that you’ll hear Americans using during this season. 

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I’m glad you’re still studying English. I’m gonna guess that you have already heard my last podcast about linking sounds. What did you say? Not yet? You’re not going to do that anymore, are you?

Today, I want to talk about four small — but powerful — words that can totally change the feeling of your sentence. I’m talking about Already, Still, Yet, and Anymore

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Wha-cha do-win right now? It’s time to tur-nup the volume and lih-seh-up to this lesson about link-in' sounds in English. 

Today, we’re continuing our series on how to speak more naturally in English, and this time we’re talking about something that really helps you sound more fluent — and that’s linking sounds. 

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Today, let’s talk about nostalgia. You know, you hear an old song on the radio and it brings you back to your high school days. Or you find some old photos in your phone from 15 years ago and suddenly, you are transported back to that time. Well, in English, when you experience something that gives you nostalgic or sentimental feelings you can say it’s a blast from the past.

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Lemme tell you something. An outdoor concert is a great way to have a blast and get into the grove. That’s where a lot of people enjoy the vibe and have a great time. Ah, live music in the summer. Nothing beats it!

Today, we’re diving into one of the best parts of American summer culture — music and festivals. There’s just something about summer in the U.S. that makes people want to be outside, especially with good food, good friends… and good music.  

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I used to drink a lot of coffee all day, but these days, I tend to just have a cup or two in the morning, so I’m drinking less coffee. Sure, it was hard to get used to, but now that I’m used to it, it’s all good!

Today, we’re check out something that looks simple… but I’ve seen it trip up a lot of English learners. I’m talking about used to, be used to, and get used to. Yeah, they all kinda look the same — but they mean totally different things 

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Today, I want to talk about something that might seem small, but it actually plays a big role in everyday English — and that’s small talk. Small talk is one of those things that isn’t really taught in textbooks… but it’s something people do all the time in English-speaking countries. And if you’ve ever found yourself in an awkward elevator ride or sitting next to someone on a train and didn’t know what to say… this episode is for you. 

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Crickets Sound Effect by felix_quinol from Pixabay

Welcome to another Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English naturally. Today, let’s talk about three super common words in spoken English:
 
👉 Wanna, Gonna, and Gotta 

Now, you won’t find these in a textbook, but native speakers use them all the time in conversation. Today, we'll see how they work.

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Have you ever been to the county fair? Those events have the whole nine yars, including the food. Yeah, that fair food is a total gut-buster, but it sure does taste good! 

Today, I want to give you a little behind-the-scenes tour of what an American fair is like, and at the same time, we’ll learn a few really natural, fun expressions that go along with the fair experience.

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Somebody asked me the other day how many phrasal verbs there are in English. That’s a tough question. So I said, beats me. And then she said, but you’re an English teacher. I dunno. I have no clue. How many phrasal verbs are there? Who knows!

Native English speakers have a lot of ways to say at they don’t know. Today, I want to share some fun and natural ways to say “I don’t know” — the way native speakers really talk.

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I'm so excited to bring you my chat with Lindsay McMahon, the founder and cohost of the All Ears English Podcast. In this podcast English Lesson, you'll hear a natural English conversation between two native English speakers. We're talking about life in Japan, cultural differences and similarities, how things have changed in 25 years and how things have stayed the same. 

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Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome to the very first Happy English Saturday Short.
Every Saturday, I’ll be here with a quick, one-point English lesson to help you build your vocabulary, fix common grammar issues, and to help you sound more natural when you speak. These lessons are short — just a minute or two — but packed with practical English you can start using right away.

So let’s kick things off with a useful phrasal verb:  👉 Turn down. There are a number of meanings for turn down but for today, we use turn down to mean refuse or say no to something. Like, “I had to turn down the job offer because it was too far away.” When Eddie asked Jenny to go to the party, she turned him down.  Last night at the restaurant, they offered me a second slice of chocolate cake, and… yeah, I didn’t turn it down!” 😅 No surprise there, right?

So how about you? What’s something you turned down recently? Leave a comment below, on the blog, or come tell me on Instagram @happyenglishny — and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening — and until next time,  keep learning and keep it cool.

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Sentence stress. It’s not the kind of stress, that keeps you up at night. And in fact, it’s not anything bad at all. It’s an essential part of English!

And when I say sentence stress, I’m not talking about being stressed out about learning grammar. I’m talking about how we say certain words louder, longer, or more clearly — and how that changes the feeling, and sometimes even the meaning, of what we’re saying.

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Are you ready to pack a picnic and have some fun in the sun? Before calling it a day, check out today’s English lesson podcast all about beach life, part of our summer series on American Culture. 

We’re gonna talk about beach life, which could be the beach at the ocean or a lake, and to some degree even the neighborhood swimming poll. Along the way, I’ll show you five idioms and phrases that match the sunscreen, beach umbrellas, and beach snacks theme: fun in the sun, catch some rays, pack a picnic, chill out, and call it a day.

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Just because you’re speaking fast, doesn’t mean you’re speaking fluently. Fluency is not about speed. Fluency is about rhythm.  It’s about sounding natural — with the right pauses, the right tone, and the right feeling. 

Today, I want to help you speak more naturally by focusing on something that native speakers do all the time — even if they don’t realize it. And that is: Thought Groups.

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Wow! It’s really heating up out there today. In fact, I was totally burning up when I was walking the dogs. Thankfully I can cool down with the A/C. 

Today, I've got some phrasal verbs for you that we use to talk about hot weather. Phrasal verbs are such an integral part of English. I mean, native speakers not only use them all the time, but prefer to use them in conversation. And you should to. Using this kind of language will make your spoken English sound much more natural. 

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Someone recently asked me if teaching English was a side hustle. Really? I hustle, that's for sure, but this is my only job. And I got my foot in the door in 1994 in Japan. Wow time flies!

Today, we have another episode in our summer series about American culture. It’s Week 7, and today we’re talking about something that’s kind of a rite of passage in the U.S.—summer jobs.

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Just in case you were wondering, this is another podcast English lesson. And in case you like what I’m gonna teach here, I’ll give you some tips to help you remember it. 

Today, I want to help you out with a handful of phrases that all use the words “in” and “case.” In this lesson, we’re going over expressions like “in case,” “in case of,” “just in case,” “in any case,” “in that case,” and  “whatever the case.” These are super common in daily English, and they each have their own little twist when it comes to grammar and meaning.

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I’m glad you popped in today. Now this lesson may not make your eyes pop out, but before you pop out or pop the question, you’re gonna want to learn these phrases and idioms with pop. 

You know, the word “pop” is such a fun little word in English. It’s short, quick, kind of energetic… and actually, that’s exactly how we use it — to describe things that happen quickly or suddenly. Today we’re going to check out some of the most common and useful “pop” expressions that native English speakers use all the time. 

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Cork Pop Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

I really hope this podcast English lesson catches on. It took me a while to write it, because sports aren’t really my thing, but I stepped up to the plate and did it. And the inspiration for this lesson came out of left field. 

It’s Week 6 of our American culture summer series, and today we’re talking about summer sports—you know, the kinds of things that make you sweat, smile, and maybe fall on your face a little. We’re talking baseball, skateboarding, surfing, and beach volleyball. Let’s dive right in—no pun intended.

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Have you worked on your English yet today? Have you studied a lot? Have you ever wanted to improve your pronunciation? Work > worked, study > studied, Want > wanted. Let’s dive in!
Today we’re gonna clear up that mystery. I’m talking about the pronunciation of -ed in past tense verbs. Believe it or not, there are three different ways to pronounce -ed, and once you know the rules, it actually makes a lot of sense. And do do this, we need to divide the verbs into three groups. 

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Oh man, it’s a scorcher out there. I just came back from walking Max, and I’m melting. I mean, it’s so hot, you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. How’s the weather where you are? Oh, hot there too? Why don’t we beat the heat together with this podcast English lesson.

English has some fun ways to talk about this kind of weather. That’s what we’re going to check out today. Cool Words for Hot Weather. 

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I want you to know that I didn’t just throw this lesson together. And please, if you’re driving, feel free to turn it up! And if you’re at home, kick back, and enjoy as we dive into backyard fun.

Every week, all summer long, we’ve been looking at how Americans live, relax, and celebrate the season. This is part of my This Week in American Life series—and today, we’re talking about something simple but super common: Backyard Fun. I’m talking about lawn games, grilling, iced tea, lemonade… and just hanging out with friends and family right outside your back door.

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I almost hit the wall when I backed up my car. I was in the middle of talking to Jack when he suddenly cut me off to tell me that I should slow down. Anyway, why don’t you pull up so we can go through this lesson!

If you’ve ever driven in the U.S., or you’re just curious about how we talk about driving in everyday English, then today’s episode is for you. We’re going to talk about phrasal verbs that we use when driving—and trust me, there are a lot of them.

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I’m sure you won’t forget this lesson. Even though my usual recording software won’t work with my new microphone, I won’t give up brining this to. I know you like to study here, so I won’t disappoint you!

Today, we’re going to talk about a small word that packs a lot of meaning—“won’t.” That’s W-O-N-apostrophe-T. It’s short for “will not,” but depending on the context, it can mean a lot more than just “not in the future.” 

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The temperature was already 30 degrees at 7:00 this morning. Let me tell you, it’s time to beat the heat. A nice dish of chocolate ice cream is one of my favorite ways to cool off, and on a day like this, that really hits the spot!

It’s Week 4 of our summer series, and this time, we’re talking about how Americans beat the heat. Well, two things come to mind right away: ice cream and movie theaters.

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I have some things to tell you today, even though I had some trouble putting this lesson together. I mean I had like some 50 different ideas, but I narrowed it down to this one. This is gonna be some lesson!

Today, we’re diving into a small word that does a lot of work in English—“some.” You probably already use it, but did you know that some has more than one meaning? Did you know that we have 7 ways to use some? 

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Airplane, Seatbelt Sign Beep by Kinoton -- https://freesound.org/s/670297/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

The other day, I was thinking about what kind of lesson I can teach here and at first I had an idea, and then I had another idea and then another one. The first one actually brought me to the other one. 

Today, we’re going to talk about three little words that can cause big confusion:
another, other, and the other. They might seem similar, but they’re used in different ways—and understanding how to use them correctly can really help you sound more natural in English. 

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This summer, I’ve been sharing short and fun lessons about American life—what people do, eat, and celebrate. This week, we’re talking about Fireworks & Food, because it’s time for one of the biggest holidays of the summer: July 4th, officially known as Independence Day, and casually called, the fourth of July.

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I’m gonna guess that each of you listening to this podcast is interested in improving your English. I think about that ever time I write up one of these lessons. And I’m sure that today, every one of you is gonna like this lesson about each and every. 

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I believe you like learning English, don’t you. In this case, I believe has the same meaning as I think. I’m pretty sure you like English. Believe me, if that’s true, I believe you’re gonna love this English lesson.

Today, let's look at the difference between believe, believe in, and trust.  These little words come up all the time in conversations, and even though they seem pretty similar, they each have their own flavor, their own feeling. 

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Why don’t you take a short getaway from what you were just doing, and check out today’s podcast English lesson. I’m pretty sure that doing so will make you a happy camper.

Today, we’re talking about Summer Getaways—road trips, camping, and national parks. Let’s dive in!

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I think you’re gonna like this lesson. I assume you’ve heard a lot of this vocabulary before, but I reckon maybe you haven't used all of it. In that case, I guess you may need to grab a notebook!

You know, English has a ton of words for expressing thoughts, opinions, guesses, feelings, and assumptions. So today, we’re going to break those down — in a fun, simple way — so you can use them naturally in your own English conversations.

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Hey, thanks for spending time with me today. I’m sure you’ll feel that by listening to this podcast, you’ll be spending your time wisely. Today I’m gonna help you build your vocabulary, and I hope that doesn’t make you too spent.

Today, we’re going to talk about using spend. A small word with a lot of power.  Now, you might think it’s just about money, but “spend” has a few really useful and interesting meanings. And if you're like a lot of English learners, you might sometimes get tripped up with how to use it. So, let’s break it down together.
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I hope you’re getting fired up for this English lesson because today, we’re gonna talk about how Americans kick off the summer. 

This week, we’re kicking off a brand new summer series that I’m calling “This Week in American Life.” Each week this season, I’ll be sharing some fun facts and cultural tidbits about how Americans live, eat, and chill during the summer months. And of course, I’ll throw in some English learning points, like idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs too. 

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I was much too tired to go to the gym today. To be honest, I guess I’m too bored with that gym. The equipment is too old and there are too many people working out there. Wait a minute...maybe I’m just much too grumpy.

Today, we’re gonna talk about a few tiny little words that pack a punch in English — too, much too, and too much. They may sound simple, but these words can really help you express how you feel about a situation — especially when things just aren’t right.

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Besides English, do you study any other languages? I mean, except for your native language. Think about those questions, because  without any further delay, I think it’s time to dive right into today’s English lesson.

At first glance, the words besides, except, and without all kinda seem like they’re doing the same thing — talking about adding or leaving something out — but actually, each one has its own job. So let’s break it down.

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Just think. A year ago you were at a totally different place along your English learning journey. And if you think that reaching your language goals is impossible, well, think again. When it comes to goals in life, you have to think big. 

Today, I want to talk about a word that we use all the time… but we don’t always stop to think about how we use it. Yep — you guessed it. That word is, "think."

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Do you remember the last song you listened to? When was that, last night? And how long did it last? I’ll bet this is the last thing you thought I’d ask you. Well, at last, we’re gonna get this English lesson off the ground.
For today’s podcast English lesson, we’re going to talk about a really small word that’s used in a lot of big ways—“last.” This word pops up all the time in English, and it’s not just for talking about the “final thing.” There’s actually a handful of common ways to use “last,” and today, we’re going to explore five of them.
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Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

Why don’t you have yourself a cup of joe, grab your notebook and settle in. Today we’re gonna talk about your old car that has had it, and even that old container of leftovers in the fridge. Yeah, that’s had it too. 

Today we’re going to talk about a very small word that’s used in a lot of very cool ways in English — and that word is “have.” 

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Have you ever let it slip or let it rip? Maybe you need to tell someone to let it go or just let it all hang out. And of course, you can just let it be. 

Today, we’re going to talk about eight phrases and phrasal verbs with “let” that’ll help you sound more natural, more confident, and more fluent. 

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I know that you often listen to this podcast. Maybe it’s because you like to hear authentic American English and you find that this helps you speak English a little better. Well today, it’s all about dropping the T

Today, we’re diving into one of those little pronunciation secrets that can really help you sound more natural when you speak English. You might’ve noticed that in a lot of words, the T sound just… disappears. Or sometimes, it sounds more like a D. Let's dive in!

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I was working away this morning trying to write this podcast English lesson. And it was hard to concentrate because my dog, Max was barking away while looking out the window. Meanwhile, my other dog Rosie was sleeping away, snoring on the sofa. You see, working from home is not as easy as it sounds. 

Today we’re going to talk about a group of phrasal verbs that all have something in common — they use the word “away.” 

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Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/