Happy English Podcast

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 you been wondering how to use really naturally in conversation? If so, you’re in luck-because today, we...

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 certain. Have you been wondering how to use apparently naturally? If so, you’re in luck—because today, w...

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 something like even a little, in any way, or to any degree. Have you been wondering how to use at all 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 talking about progress, sometimes results, and sometimes comparing what has happened until now. Have you...

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 feeling behind it, it becomes much easier to use. We use might as well when there isn’t a strong reason n...

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 daily English conversations? Have you been wondering about the different ways we use up to? If so, you’r...

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 something is completely correct. And not exactly is a very natural way to soften a correction. Have you won...

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 matter which one.” Sometimes it introduces the idea that the result won’t change. And sometimes, with th...

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 can talk about plans and expectations, rules, things people say are true, and even things that were pla...

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. Sometimes it means something is important. Sometimes it means something is not important. And sometimes we...

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 are going to show you how to use the following three phrases in your daily English conversations: “How...

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, to ask for agreement, to say okay, and to talk about something happening immediately. Have you wonder...

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 quite a bit depending on the verb. Have you been confused by expressions like put off, call off, drop of...

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 bad situation. And sometimes we use at least to tell someone, hey! You could have done something! Hav...

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 something like fairly, quite, or rather, and we use it all the time to soften or adjust how strong an ad...

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 lot of useful ways that go far beyond simply talking about an object. We use this word in phrases like...

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 we use it to move a conversation forward or bring it to an end. And sometimes we use it to mean that so...

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 sometimes we use expressions like fair enough and to be fair to react to what someone says or add balanc...

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 sometimes we use expressions like fair enough and to be fair to react to what someone says or add balanc...

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 very little to do with a road or direction. Have you been confused by expressions like by the way, eit...

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 something that seemed surprising, confusing, or unexpected before. Have you wondered... how to use no wonder?...

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 for clarification, explain our intentions, talk about purpose, and even tell someone how important they a...

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 you been confused by expressions like find out, figure out, run out of, work out, and turn out? If so,...

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 reasonable. Have you ever been confused by the different ways we use make sense? If so, you’re in luck—beca...

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 to get to the main idea of a conversation. Have you been confused by all these different uses of poin...