Podcasts · Education

Happy English Podcast (Natural American English)

Michael Digiacomo Happy English

300 episodes

The Happy English Podcast helps English learners learn natural American English with clear lessons, practical phrases, everyday conversation tips, and listening practice. Hosted by American English teacher Michael DiGiacomo, the show features short and practical lessons to help you build vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and speak English confidently in real conversations. Episodes range from quick tips to longer explanations and cover useful topics like phrasal verbs, idioms, pronunciation, grammar, and natural conversation patterns used by native speakers. If you want to learn English, improve your American English pronunciation, practice English listening, and speak English more confidently in everyday conversation, the Happy English Podcast will help you step by step. Since 2014, the podcast has published over 1,000 episodes and reached more than 8 million downloads worldwide. Get free weekly English lessons plus instant access to my FREE Vocabulary Workshop.: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/free-english-lessons Watch video versions of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. 1114 - How to Use “At First” Naturally

    · 6:52 · Episode 1114

    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…

  2. 1113 - How to Use “Ever” in Conversation

    · 8:37 · Episode 1113

    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…

  3. 1112 - How to Use “Somehow” Naturally

    · 7:24 · Episode 1112

    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…

  4. 1111 – How to Use “Probably” Naturally

    · 8:08 · Episode 1111

    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…

  5. 1110 - How to Use “Otherwise” Naturally

    · 7:54 · Episode 1110

    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…

  6. 1109 - How to Use “Really” in Conversation

    · 9:32 · Episode 1109

    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…

  7. 1108 – How to Use “Apparently” Naturally

    · 8:11 · Episode 1108

    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…

  8. 1107 - How to Use “At All” Naturally

    · 7:14 · Episode 1107

    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…

  9. 1106 - How to Use “So Far” Naturally

    · 7:53 · Episode 1106

    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…

  10. 1105 - How to Use “Might As Well” Naturally

    · 8:33 · Episode 1105

    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…

  11. 1104 - How to Use “Up To” Naturally

    · 9:33 · Episode 1104

    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…

  12. 1103 - How to Use “Exactly” in Conversation

    · 8:15 · Episode 1103

    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…

  13. 1102 – How to Use “Whatever” Naturally

    · 8:55 · Episode 1102

    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…

  14. 1101 – How to Use “Supposed To” Naturally

    · 9:59 · Episode 1101

    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…

  15. 1100 – How to Use “Matter” Naturally

    · 9:53 · Episode 1100

    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.…

  16. 1099 - To Be Warm In English With Lindsay from All Ears English

    · 21 min · Episode 1099

    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…

  17. 1098 – How to Use “Right” in Conversation

    · 8:02 · Episode 1098

    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…

  18. 1097 – Everyday Phrasal Verbs with “Off”

    · 8:40 · Episode 1097

    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…

  19. 1096 – How to Use “At Least” Naturally

    · 7:56 · Episode 1096

    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…

  20. 1095 – How to Use “Pretty” in Everyday English

    · 8:40 · Episode 1095

    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…

  21. 1094 – How to Use “Thing” Naturally

    · 8:56 · Episode 1094

    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…

  22. 1093 – How to Use “Anyway” Naturally

    · 7:41 · Episode 1093

    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…

  23. 1092 – How to Use “Deal” in Everyday Conversation

    · 9:10 · Episode 1092

    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…

  24. 1091 – How to Use “Fair” and “Fair Enough”

    · 9:05 · Episode 1091

    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…

  25. 1090 – Six Everyday Ways to Use “Way”

    · 11 min · Episode 1090

    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…

  26. 1089 – How to Use “No Wonder” Naturally

    · 9:28 · Episode 1089

    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…

  27. 1088 – What Does “Mean” Really Mean?

    · 9:42 · Episode 1088

    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,…

  28. 1087 – Everyday Phrasal Verbs with “Out"

    · 10 min · Episode 1087

    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…

  29. 1086 - How to Use “That Makes Sense” Naturally

    · 11 min · Episode 1086

    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,…

  30. 1085 – What’s the Point? How to Use “Point” in Conversation

    · 9:03 · Episode 1085

    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…

  31. 1084 – How to Use “Mind” Naturally

    · 10 min · Episode 1084

    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…

  32. 1083 – See, Watch, or Look? How to Use Them in Real Life

    · 11 min · Episode 1083

    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…

  33. 1082 - How Americans Really Use "It Depends"

    · 9:58 · Episode 1082

    "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…

  34. 1081 - Bring vs. Take: Which One Should You Use?

    · 7:08 · Episode 1081

    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…

  35. 1080 - Hear or Listen? What’s the Difference?

    · 12 min · Episode 1080

    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…

  36. 1079 - Phrasal Verbs with "Back" You'll Actually Use

    · 9:15 · Episode 1079

    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…

  37. 1078 - What Does "Go Ahead" Really Mean?

    · 10 min · Episode 1078

    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…

  38. 1077 - How Americans Really Use "Come On"

    · 11 min · Episode 1077

    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…

  39. 1076 - Stop Mixing Up Miss, Lose, Forget, and Leave

    · 9:37 · Episode 1076

    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.…

  40. 1075 - How Americans Really Use "Guess"

    · 9:00 · Episode 1075

    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…

  41. 1074 - How Americans Really Use "I'm Good"

    · 11 min · Episode 1074

    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…

  42. 1073 - How You Can Really Use Kind Of

    · 8:51 · Episode 1073

    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…

  43. 1072 - How to Use “That Works” Naturally

    · 9:39 · Episode 1072

    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…

  44. 1071 - How Americans Talk About Hot Weather

    · 12 min · Episode 1071

    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,…

  45. 1070 - How Native Speakers Really Use "I'm All Set"

    · 8:00 · Episode 1070

    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…

  46. 1069 - Stop Mixing Up Cost, Spend, Pay, and Buy

    · 8:13 · Episode 1069

    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…

  47. 1068 - Notice vs Realize - This Difference Matters

    · 7:34 · Episode 1068

    I noticed a strange noise. I realized I forgot my keys. She noticed he was quiet. She realized he was upset. Notice and realize are two similar words in English, so they're are easy to mix up. And honestly, it's easy…

  48. 1067 - How To Really Use Sure

    · 7:20 · Episode 1067

    Sure. Sure thing. Are you sure? I’m sure. Sure enough. Sure is one of those words that seems really simple, right? You probably learned that sure means certain. And that's true. But in everyday English, we use sure in…

  49. 1066 - Does Fine Really Mean Fine

    · 9:21 · Episode 1066

    I’m fine. That’s fine. Fine with me. Fine. Fine seems like such a simple word, right? You probably learned it very early in English class. “How are you?” “I’m fine, thank you. And you? I'm fine thank you.” Easy. But…

  50. 1065 - Seem, Look, or Sound? How to Use Them Naturally

    · 7:12 · Episode 1069

    You look tired. That sounds fun. He seems upset. Dinner looks amazing. Your voice sounds different. Seem, look, and sound. These words seem simple, right? But English learners often mix them up. Can you say, “You seem…

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