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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 balance to a conversation. Have you been confused by these different uses of fair? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at how you can use fair naturally in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
In this episode of Think in English With Me, you're going to hear the difference between “learner English” and natural, native-speaker English—without any long explanations at the beginning. We start with three real-life relationship conversations (catching up with a friend, dealing with a manager at work, and drifting from a sibling) shown two ways: the simple learner version and the fuller native-speaker version—so you can clearly recognize the gap.Then we pull out the exact words and phrases that make native speech sound effortless:holding back (when you deliberately don't say something yet)stretched thin (too busy, pulled in too many directions)drifted apart (growing distant gradually, without a specific fight)Next, you'll learn the sentence patterns native speakers rely on—how they answer with details, build opinions with reasons, and tell a personal experience that pulls the listener into the moment. You'll also hear what it sounds like when you combine the right vocabulary and the right structure, so you can start speaking in a way that feels more natural and confident.Finally, it's your turn: you'll get new conversation questions (about family, friendship, and making friends as an adult) along with sample native-style answers to help you practice thinking in English—not translating.If you've ever felt like you “know English” but don't sound the way you want to sound, this episode is for you.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
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 balance to a conversation. Have you been confused by these different uses of fair? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at how you can use fair naturally in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
In today's episode, you'll join Teacher Tiffani for a real, relaxed conversation with one of her Academy students. Each week, she sits down with them to talk about an aspect of the monthly topic—sharing personal experiences, practicing natural English, and learning how to express ideas clearly and confidently in real-life situations.As you listen, you'll be inspired and also hear useful vocabulary, common expressions, and smooth, everyday phrases you can start using right away. You'll also pick up speaking tips that will help you sound more natural and feel more comfortable responding in conversations. By the end of this episode, you'll feel more confident speaking English—and more prepared to have meaningful conversations on any topic.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
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, either way, no way, and way too...? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at six everyday situations you can use way in conversational English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
Studying English alone can feel frustrating: you understand a lot, but the words still won't come out when you need them. In this episode, you'll learn a simple (but powerful) system to turn “input” into real speaking ability by studying through identity—because identity is the one topic you always have access to, even when no one is there to practice with you.You'll discover how to run any new word, expression, or idiom through five identity components so it becomes personal, memorable, and easy to recall in real conversations:Life Experiences (storytelling that sounds natural)Self-Talk (language that reshapes confidence and fluency)What Matters Most (opinions that create advanced, nuanced English)Daily Habits (everyday English you can repeat effortlessly)Your People (describing real relationships with real emotion)Plus, you'll hear practical examples using phrases like “relentless,” “hold my ground,” and “wear my heart on my sleeve”—so you can copy the method and start applying it immediately.If you've been learning alone and wondering why you still freeze, this is the missing system.Listen now, and start building English that actually feels like yours.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
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? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at how you can use no wonder naturally in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
In today's episode, you'll join Teacher Tiffani for a real, relaxed conversation with one of her Academy students. Each week, she sits down with them to talk about an aspect of the monthly topic—sharing personal experiences, practicing natural English, and learning how to express ideas clearly and confidently in real-life situations.As you listen, you'll be inspired and also hear useful vocabulary, common expressions, and smooth, everyday phrases you can start using right away. You'll also pick up speaking tips that will help you sound more natural and feel more comfortable responding in conversations. By the end of this episode, you'll feel more confident speaking English—and more prepared to have meaningful conversations on any topic.Enroll now: https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/365system
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 are to us. Have you ever been confused by all these different uses of mean? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at the different ways you can use mean in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
Enroll: speakenglishwithtiffani.com/365systemIn this episode, you'll learn 9 practical ways to make English vocabulary stick permanently—so new words stop disappearing the next day and start showing up naturally when you speak.We'll cover simple, real-life strategies like building “word neighborhoods” (common word partners), guessing meaning before you read the definition, and stealing full sentences instead of memorizing single words. You'll also learn how to lock vocabulary into your memory by connecting it to something that happened to you today, finding a second encounter with the word, pairing it with an opposite, and practicing with low-pressure methods like writing a message you never send.By the end, you'll have a clear plan to turn vocabulary from “I recognize it” into “I can actually use it”—including a quick exercise to use one word in five different situations so it becomes flexible and automatic.Press play and let's make your vocabulary permanent.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
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, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at five useful phrasal verbs with out that you can use in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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—because today, we're going to look at how you can use make sense naturally in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
Enroll now: https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/365systemIn today's episode, you'll join Teacher Tiffani for a real, relaxed conversation with one of her Academy students. Each week, she sits down with them to talk about an aspect of the monthly topic—sharing personal experiences, practicing natural English, and learning how to express ideas clearly and confidently in real-life situations.As you listen, you'll be inspired and also hear useful vocabulary, common expressions, and smooth, everyday phrases you can start using right away. You'll also pick up speaking tips that will help you sound more natural and feel more comfortable responding in conversations. By the end of this episode, you'll feel more confident speaking English—and more prepared to have meaningful conversations on any topic.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
What does it take to win when everything is on the line?In this episode of The Real Life English with Gabby podcast, we're heading to the World Cup to learn 16 real-life English idioms and phrasal verbs related to pressure, mental toughness, and winning.In this episode, you'll learn how English speakers talk about staying calm under pressure, fighting until the end, and performing when it matters most.You'll learn useful expressions like:sink or swimraise the stakes lock inrise to the occasion And more! And remember: these expressions aren't only useful when you're talking about sports. You can use them when talking about work, school, presentations, exams, interviews, business, and personal challenges, too.And as a special bonus, download the FREE STUDY GUIDE!Want to actually remember and use the vocabulary from this episode?Download the free Study Guide that goes with this episode. It gives you extra practice and helps you get more exposure to the vocabulary so you can start using these expressions naturally in your own English.
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 point? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at how you can use point naturally in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
In today's episode, you'll join Teacher Tiffani for a real, relaxed conversation with one of her Academy students. Each week, she sits down with them to talk about an aspect of the monthly topic—sharing personal experiences, practicing natural English, and learning how to express ideas clearly and confidently in real-life situations.As you listen, you'll be inspired and also hear useful vocabulary, common expressions, and smooth, everyday phrases you can start using right away. You'll also pick up speaking tips that will help you sound more natural and feel more comfortable responding in conversations. By the end of this episode, you'll feel more confident speaking English—and more prepared to have meaningful conversations on any topic.Enroll now: https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/365system
Today I want to discuss the history of one of the most famous cities in South America: Rio de Janeiro. Rio is a city that had become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is known for its colourful carnival celebrations, the Christ the Redeemer statue and white beaches, and of course its association with football and samba music. Its history is also fascinating! Today I want to discuss how the city got its names, became the centre of battles between European powers, grew into one of the largest slave ports in the world, and at one time was the only city in the America's to be the capital of a European Empire. We'll explore how the city built its fortunes based on gold and coffee, and the how the city has developed in the modern period. And we'll also practice your English listening comprehension and learn some new vocabulary at the same time! Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/10/400-history-of-rio-de-janeiro-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) $10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448 My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join the conversation!Welcome to the Midwest, where the winters are cold, the cheese curds are fried, and saying goodbye can take forever. Join us as we talk food, culture, traditions, and more! Show Notes Support the showTo get the most out of this podcast, be sure to download the show notes for each episode. There you will find more information about the vocabulary used in the conversation and additional cultural and language notes regarding this topic. realcoolenglish.com/podcastMusic: Wake Up to the Renaissance by AudioCoffee from Pixabay
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 meaning changes depending on the situation. Sometimes it means that something bothers you. Sometimes it refers to your thoughts or memory. And sometimes we use it to make a polite request. Have you been confused by the different ways we use mind? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to look at how you can use mind naturally in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 some important differences. Sometimes something simply comes into view. Sometimes we choose to pay attention to something for a period of time. And sometimes we use look without talking about our eyes at all.Have you been confused by see, watch, and look? If so, you're in luck—because today, we're going to check out the different ways you can use see, watch, and look naturally, in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
Scientists have just discovered enormous deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, or the rare earth minerals that are in smartphones and electric cars beneath your country. Is this good news? Not necessarily. You might think that becoming “resource rich” is a great way for a country to become prosperous, but this not always the case. Some of the world's most resource-rich countries have struggled with corruption, dictatorship, economic instability, civil war, and widespread poverty. Instead of becoming wealthy, they have become trapped in a cycle of dependence and political turmoil.Economists have a name for this paradox: the Resource Curse. At the same time, countries with few natural resources, places like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, have become some of the richest and most developed economies in the world. Today, we're going to explore the resource curse. We'll discuss why having valuable natural resources can sometimes become a disadvantage and look at some of the world's best-known examples. And we'll do this while practicing your English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary! Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/03/399-what-is-the-resource-curse-why-some-of-the-worlds-richest-countries-stay-poor-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) $10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448 My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"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 in everyday English. But did you know that the phrase, "It depends" has a number of different meanings and uses? Most of the time, "it depends" means, "there isn't one simple answer." In other words, the answer changes depending on the situation.Today, we're going to look at how you can really use "it depends" in everyday conversation.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 mix up. You've probably learned that bring means "move something toward the speaker" and take means "move something away from the speaker." That's a helpful place to start, but in real conversations we usually aren't thinking about grammar rules. Instead, we picture the situation. So today, we're going to look at how you can naturally use bring and take in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
Why does Canada speak both English and French? Why is Canada's head of state the King of the United Kingdom? Why didn't Canada become part of the United States when the rest of Britain's North American colonies rebelled? Canada is one of the largest countries on Earth. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, and all the way north to the Arctic. It has one of the world's wealthiest economies, consistently ranks among the best places to live, and is often seen as one of the most multicultural societies in the world. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people choose to make Canada their new home. The history of Canada is fascinating. Indigenous peoples lived there for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. It was claimed and settled by both France and Britain. It developed differently from its neighbour the United States and gradually evolved into an independent country while still having a close relationship with the British Crown. So, in today's episode, we're going to explore how Canada was formed, why English and French coexist, how Canada developed its unique relationship with Britain, and the biggest challenges shaping Canada's future. And we will do all of this while practicing your English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary. Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/07/27/398-why-does-canada-speak-french-and-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) $10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448 My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 difference. Hearing usually happens naturally. A sound reaches your ears, even when you're not trying. Listening is active. You choose to pay attention to the sound. Have you been confused by hear and listen? If so, you're in luck - because today, we're going to look at the different ways you can use hear and listen in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 verbs, back gives us the idea of returning - returning to a place, returning a phone call, returning money, returning something to someone, or returning a message. And these aren't unusual expressions that you'll only find in a textbook. They're expressions that we all use every day. So today, we're going to look at five phrasal verbs with back that you'll actually use.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
In 2024, Keir Starmer became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after leading the Labour Party to one of the biggest election victories in modern British history. Just two years later, he has announced his resignation… and Britain is once again preparing for a new leader. Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the UK has gone through an unusually high number of prime ministers. Each has promised to solve the country's problems, but then ended up leaving their role earlier than expected. In fact, this is now the third time I've made an episode asking the question, "Who Will Be the Next Prime Minister of the UK?" Episode 161 explored the race to replace Boris Johnson back in 2022, and Episode 302 looked at what might happen if the Conservatives lost power before the 2024 election. We're asking exactly the same question again in this episode, but this time, it's the Labour Party looking for a new leader. So, what happened? Why has Keir Starmer resigned after such a convincing election victory? Who is Andy Burnham, the politician many people expect to replace him? What kind of prime minister might he become? And why has British politics become so unstable over the past decade? Let's find out, and at the same time learn some new English vocabulary and practice your English listening comprehension. Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/07/20/397-who-will-be-the-next-prime-minister-of-the-uk-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) $10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448 My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 to give someone permission. Sometimes it means start or continue. Sometimes we use it to tell someone to go before us. And depending on your tone of voice, "Go ahead" can even sound like a challenge. So today, we're going to look at what "go ahead" really means and how you can use it in everyday conversation.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 don't believe you, you can do it, enter, visit me, or even... that's ridiculous. It's one of those expressions you'll hear all the time in movies, TV shows, and everyday American conversation. So today, we're going to look at the different ways you can use “come on” in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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. Did you fail to catch something? Did you no longer have something? Did you forget something in your mind? Or did you leave it somewhere? Once you understand the difference, you'll avoid some very common English mistakes. So today, we're going to look at how native speakers really use miss, lose, forget, and leave.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
In August 2016, I moved to a small town on the Japanese island of Shikoku. I had almost no Japanese ability and I didn't have an expectation that I'd stay very long in Japan. Maybe I'd stay in Japan for one year. 10 years later, though, I'm still in Japan. I'm now married. I have a daughter. I run a business from Japan. And I can live my entire life in Japanese if I need to. Looking back, there are things that I'm incredibly proud of in my Japanese learning journey and a few things that I wish I had done differently. So in today's episode of Thinking in English, I thought it would be interesting to discuss my past 10 years of language learning experiences: how I went from zero knowledge of Japanese to being able to live in Japanese daily if I [00:01:00] need to. Hopefully by listening to this episode, you guys will receive some motivation and some advice about your own language learning journeys. Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/07/13/396-10-years-language-learning-lessons-id-give-my-younger-self-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) $10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448 My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Have you ever gone for a walk in a city and wondered what some of the things you see are called in English? This is a thought that occurred to Marta, one of our regular listeners, and today we're going to explore some English vocabulary and collocations for the city. Whether you live in a big city, are travelling abroad, or simply want to expand your vocabulary, these words and phrases are extremely useful for intermediate and advanced learners. We'll explain the meanings, common collocations, and natural examples that native speakers use every day. Show notes and more podcasts to improve your English at: http://www.inglespodcast.com/ Las notas del episodio y más podcasts para mejorar tu ingles están en: http://www.inglespodcast.com/
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 English, guess has several other meanings. In fact, when native speakers say, "I guess," they're usually not making a guess at all. They're softening an opinion, showing they're not completely certain, or saying something in a more relaxed way. So today, we're going to look at how Americans really use guess.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 American English, I'm good has several different meanings. We use I'm good to politely refuse something, to say we don't need help, to tell someone everything is okay, and even to end a conversation. It's probably one of the most common expressions you'll hear in the United States. So today, we're going to look at how you can really use I'm good.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 thing. Most of the time, when we say "kind of" we're not talking about a type of something. We're using kind of to make what we're saying softer, less direct, or less certain. It's one of those little expressions that can make your English sound much more natural. So today, let's look at how you can really use kind of.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
When I think of the USA, I picture New York's skyscrapers, Hollywood movies, and Silicon Valley technology companies. I think of the world's largest economy, and the most powerful country, with a population of more the 340 million people. But what was the USA like when it was first founded? This year, the US is celebrating the 250th anniversary since it declared independence from the British Empire. I thought it would be interesting to spend this episode considering what the US was like two hundred and fifty years ago. Back when it was thirteen separate colonies, that were not united at all, and before there was a concept of being an “American” or being a citizen of the USA. I'm going to talk about the original colonies, the declaration of independence, the revolutionary war, and how the USA developed. At the same time, we will be practicing our English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary! Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/07/06/395-what-was-the-usa-like-in-1776-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) $10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448 My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today's episode of Speak English With Tiffani, you'll learn a simple 7-day English plan that finally gets you speaking—without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of jumping from topic to topic, you'll choose one topic and practice it in 7 different ways so your vocabulary, expressions, and confidence build naturally throughout the week.You'll learn how to use this 7-day plan to:Choose one topic and go deep so your English becomes usable (not just memorized)Build vocabulary with real situations so you know when and how to use new wordsLearn natural expressions with cultural context so they actually stickExpand descriptive language so you stop repeating the same “safe” wordsSpeak in complete, clear details using the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why)Tell a story that holds attention (setting, character, climax, lesson learned)Review what matters so you keep improving week after weekGet Daily English Lessons:https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/365systemIf you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
Join the conversation!From soccer and hockey to Scrabble and Uno, this episode covers all things sports and games. Donielle and Khrystyna share childhood memories, debate spectator sports, swap game-night stories, and discover that winning isn't nearly as important as having fun... unless you're a sore loser! Show Notes Support the showTo get the most out of this podcast, be sure to download the show notes for each episode. There you will find more information about the vocabulary used in the conversation and additional cultural and language notes regarding this topic. realcoolenglish.com/podcastMusic: Wake Up to the Renaissance by AudioCoffee from Pixabay
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 to talk about whether a time, a plan, an idea, or a solution is acceptable, convenient, or possible. So if someone says, “Friday works for me,” they don't mean Friday has a job. They mean Friday is good for their schedule. And that's what we're going to look at today.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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, “It's hot.” We have lots of natural expressions for hot days, humid days, uncomfortable days, and those summer days when you walk outside and immediately think, “Nope. I'm going back inside.” So today, we're going to look at how Americans really talk about hot weather in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 time in the United States, you'll hear it everywhere. At restaurants, coffee shops, doctor's offices, airports, hotels - just about anywhere. So what does "all set" actually mean? Well, it depends on the situation. Sometimes it means, "I don't need anything else." Sometimes it means, "Everything is ready." And sometimes it's just a polite way to end a conversation. So today, we're going to look at how native speakers really use "all set."The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 up because they're all connected to money. But here's the thing. They don't focus on the same part of the situation. Sometimes we're talking about the thing we got. Sometimes we're talking about the money we used. Sometimes we're talking about the price. And sometimes we're talking about the person using the money. So today, we're going to look at how people really use cost, spend, pay, and buy in everyday English.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 to understand why. Both words talk about becoming aware of something. But there's an important difference between them. When you notice something, you use your senses. When you realize something, you use your mind. Once you understand that difference, these two words become much easier to use naturally. And that is what we're going to look at today!The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads
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 a lot of different ways. Sometimes it means certain. Sometimes sure means yes. Sometimes it means of course. And sometimes it's just a friendly way to agree with someone. So what's really going on with sure? That's what we're going to look at today.The Happy English PodcastHelping people speak English better since 2014Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads