Épisodes

  • 931 - Questions and Negatives with Still, Yet, Already, & Anymore

    931 - Questions and Negatives with Still, Yet, Already, & Anymore
    Nov 17 2025
    Thanks for joining me today! If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between “Have you eaten yet?” and “Are you still eating?”... or if you’re not sure when to use anymore - then this episode is for you. These four little words - still, yet, already, and anymore - seem simple, but when it comes to questions and negative sentences, things can get a little tricky. So today, we’ll take a deep dive into how they work, with plenty of real, everyday examples.

    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup

    Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
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    9 min
  • 930 - I’m Tryin’ To → Ahm Tryin’ Uh - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English

    930 - I’m Tryin’ To → Ahm Tryin’ Uh - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English
    Nov 16 2025
    Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.
    And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Michael on YouTube.
    In fact, the idea for today’s lesson came from a listener’s question on YouTube. It’s all about reductions. In language learning, reduction means shortening or softening sounds when we speak quickly - it’s what makes English sound smooth and natural. One really common example is when we say the phrase “I’m trying to.” It usually sounds like, “I’m tryin’ uh.” “I’m tryin’ uh.”

    There are three things happening here. First, I’m is pronounced as Ahm. Then, we drop the g of trying, so it sounds like try-in, and third we drop the T in the word TO and pronounce it as uh. Ahm try-in-uh. Here are some examples in context:
    • “I’m tryin’ uh finish this report.”
    • “I’m tryin’ uh get up earlier.”
    • And these days, “I’m tryin’ uh learn Japanese.”

    It’s quick, relaxed, and totally natural - especially in everyday conversation and songs. You’ll hear this kind of reduction all the time in American English, like what we studied last Sunday: Lemme, gimme, and gemme. So next time you say I’m trying to, relax your mouth and let it flow: “I’m tryin’ uh.” That’s the rhythm of real American English.

    Hey, thanks for listening! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Sunday Speak. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

    Watch the video version of this Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
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    2 min
  • 929 - Does That Make Sense? - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

    929 - Does That Make Sense? - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English
    Nov 15 2025
    Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently.
    And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Michael on YouTube.

    Today, let’s look at a really common phrase you’ll hear in everyday English - “Does that make sense?”
    We use does that make sense? to check if the other person understands what we just explained.
    It’s a more natural and friendly way to say “Do you understand?” - which can sometimes sound a little too direct.

    For example, if you’re giving directions, you could say:
    “Go straight two blocks, turn right at the light, and the café’s on the left. Does that make sense?”
    Or, if you’re helping a coworker with a report, you might say:
    “So, we’ll send this out by Friday, and then follow up next week. Does that make sense?”

    It’s polite, warm, and shows you care that the other person understood you. So next time you’re explaining something, try ending with a friendly “Does that make sense?” - just to make sure!

    And hey, does that make sense to join me again next time for another podcast English lesson? Lemme know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Saturday’s English tips in a minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

    Watch the video version of this Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
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    2 min
  • 928 - Rattle Off - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English

    928 - Rattle Off - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English
    Nov 14 2025
    Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English.
    I’m here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. And if you want to watch this lesson just look for Happy English Michael on YouTube.

    Today’s phrasal verb is rattle off. When you rattle something off, it means you say or list things quickly and easily - usually without stopping to think much. It’s like when someone just fires off information from memory.
    • Like, my friend Lisa is amazing with dates. You can ask her about any historical event, and she’ll rattle off the exact year it happened.
    • And my coworker Tom can rattle off ten phrasal verbs in thirty seconds - no problem at all.
    Here’s a pronunciation tip: rattle off - ra-dl-off. The T sound of rattle is a flap T sound, and the L sound of links with off, so it sounds like ra-dloff.
    So how about you? Is there something you can rattle off - maybe song lyrics, movie quotes, or English phrasal verbs?

    Lemme know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verb Friday. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

    Watch the video version of this Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/happyenglishny
    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
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    2 min
  • 927 - How to Use ‘Make’ and ‘Do’ in English - What’s the Difference?” - 2025:11:12, 0.41 PM

    927 - How to Use ‘Make’ and ‘Do’ in English - What’s the Difference?” - 2025:11:12, 0.41 PM
    Nov 12 2025
    I get it - make and do can be super confusing. You’ve probably learned that both verbs mean "to take action" in some way. But for example, how do you know when to say make a mistake or do your homework? That’s what we’re going to clear up.

    Today we’re going to talk about two small but mighty verbs in English: make and do. These verbs show up everywhere - but the tricky part is knowing when to use which one. So today, we’ll go over the core difference between make and do, and I’ll give you lots of real-life examples along the way. Let’s get started!

    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
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    11 min
  • 926 - How to Agree and Disagree Politely in English

    926 - How to Agree and Disagree Politely in English
    Nov 10 2025
    I guess you're here because you think podcasts are a good way to learn English. Yeah, absolutely — I was thinking the same thing. You might even think they are the best way to learn. Well, I see your point, but I’m not sure everyone would think so. Maybe we can agree to disagree. That’s the language we’ll look at today.

    In this podcast English lesson, we’re going to talk about something that happens all the time in conversations — agreeing and disagreeing. But not just saying “yes” or “no.” We’re going to look at how to do this politely — whether you’re in a meeting, having a group chat, or just talking with a friend.

    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
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    9 min
  • 925 - Sunday Speak - Lemme, Gimme, Gemme - Reductions in American English

    925 - Sunday Speak - Lemme, Gimme, Gemme - Reductions in American English
    Nov 9 2025
    In everyday spoken American English, we often use reduction. Here, reduction means we shorten or soften sounds when we speak. It’s when certain words or syllables lose their full sound to make speech smoother and faster. Today, let’s look at three really common reductions: lemme, gimme, and gemme.

    Like, instead of saying let me, we reduce it to lemme. The T sound at the end of let, is dropped. Lemme. You can say things like, “Lemme see that.” “Lemme know when you’re ready.” or “Lemme know what time the meeting starts.” Lemme.

    And instead of saying give me, we reduce it to gimme comes from give me.The V sound at the end of give, is dropped. Gimme. You can say things like, “Gimme a second.” “Gimme that pen.” Or “Can you gimme a hand moving this desk?. Gimme

    Finally for today, instead of saying get me, we reduce it to gemme. The T sound at the end of get is dropped. Gemme. You can say things like, “Gemme a coffee, please.” “Can you gemme a towel?” Or, “You’re going for donuts? Can you gemme one?”

    These reductions happen naturally in everyday casual conversation. And reductions aren’t a lazy way of speaking. They’re just how people really talk smoothly. So next time you hear lemme, gimme, or gemme, you’ll know the meaning. And when you use them yourself, your English will sound smoother and more natural.

    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
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    3 min
  • 924 - Saturday Short - Sounds Like a Plan

    924 - Saturday Short - Sounds Like a Plan
    Nov 8 2025
    Today, let’s look at a really natural and friendly phrase you’ll hear all the time in everyday English - “Sounds like a plan.” We use sounds like a plan when we agree to someone’s suggestion or idea. It’s a casual, upbeat way to say “That’s a good idea” or “Let’s do that.”
    • For example, your friend says: “Let’s meet at 6 for dinner.” You can reply: “Sounds like a plan!”
    • Or maybe your coworker says: “How about we finish this project on Monday?” You can say: “Yeah, sounds like a plan.”


    It’s short, friendly, and works perfectly in everyday conversation - at work, with friends, even with your family.

    So remember, the next time someone suggests something you agree with, skip the formal “That is a good idea.” and just say “Sounds like a plan!” It’s a natural way to reply!

    Build Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
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    2 min