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.

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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.

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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
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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Today’s phrasal verb is whip up.  When you whip something up, it means you make or create something quickly - usually food, but it can also be ideas, energy, or excitement.

• Like, yesterday morning I was in a rush, so I whipped up some scrambled eggs before heading out the door.
• And the other day, my neighbor whipped up a batch of cookies and brought them over. Best surprise ever!
• Or my friend Amy is so creative - she can whip up a great PowerPoint presentation in no time.

So how about you? What’s something you can whip up quickly - maybe a meal, a project, or even a good idea?  Leave a comment, and remember to follow or subscribe!

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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.

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

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!

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

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 a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak.

Today’s phrasal verb is zone out.  When you zone out, it means your mind starts to wander and you stop paying attention - especially when you’re tired, bored, or distracted. Basically, your body’s there, but your brain takes a little break.

• Like the other day, I was in a long meeting, and about halfway through, I totally zoned out.
• Or my friend Olivia said she was watching a movie, but she zoned out and missed the ending.
• And when I ride the train home at night, sometimes I just zone out and stare out the window. It’s kind of relaxing, actually.

Here’s a pronunciation tip: zone out - zohn-out. The N connects smoothly with out, like zoh-nout.
So how about you? When do you usually zone out - at work, in class, or maybe when someone’s talking too long? Leave a comment, and don’t forget 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.

Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg
Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/
My AI English Tutor is HERE 

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 Sunday Speak. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point tip to help you speak English more naturally. 

Now, In spoken American English, we often connect words together, and when we do, the sounds change. That’s called connected speech. You’ll hear it all the time in words and phrases like ya, didja, and whaddaya.

• So instead of saying “Do you”, Americans usually say “d’ya” or just “ya.”
  •  “Do you like sushi?” → “D’ya like sushi?” or “Ya like sushi?”
• Instead of “Did you”, we say “didja.”
  •  “Did you see that movie?” → “Didja see that movie?”
• And instead of “What do you,” we say “whaddaya.”
  •  “What do you think?” → “Whaddaya think?”
  •  “What do you mean?” → “Whaddaya mean?”

This kind of connected speech makes English sound smoother and faster — the way people really talk. So next time you listen to native speakers, try to catch those little sound changes. Ya hear ’em? That’s connected speech!

Thanks for listening. And remember to like, 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.

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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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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 a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak.

Today’s phrasal verb is buckle down. When you buckle down, it means you start working seriously and with focus — especially after being a bit lazy or distracted. You stop wasting time and get things done. And we tend to say, buckle down and DO somerthing.

• Like my buddy Kevin. He was having fun all summer, but now that classes started, he really needs to buckle down and study.
• Or my coworker Amy — she had a big project deadline coming up, so she buckled down this week and finished everything on time.
• And me? I’ll be honest — I’ve been putting off updating my website, but this weekend I’m gonna buckle down and finally get it done.

So how about you? Is there something you need to buckle down and do — maybe work, study, or a personal goal? Leave a comment, and don’t forget 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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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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