1002 - How To Check Understanding

1002 - How To Check Understanding

Author: Michael DiGiacomo Happy English March 2, 2026 Duration: 9:36
Have you ever been in a conversation in English and suddenly thought… “Wait. I didn’t catch that.” Maybe someone was speaking too fast. Maybe they used a word you don’t know. Maybe you understood the words - but not the meaning. And in that moment, you freeze.  You don’t want to say the wrong thing. You don’t want to look confused. You don’t want to interrupt.

Well here’s the good news. Checking understanding and getting clarification is a natural part of a conversation in any language - even English. And today, I’m going to show you how you can do that.

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Ever feel like you're missing a piece of the puzzle when you hear native English speakers chat? That's where Happy English Podcast comes in, hosted by Michael DiGiacomo. This isn't about dry textbook rules; it's about the living, breathing language you actually encounter. Each episode feels like a friendly conversation, breaking down the nuances that can trip you up. You'll find yourself understanding the subtle differences between confusing words, getting a handle on those tricky phrasal verbs that seem to change meaning constantly, and even picking up the rhythm and pronunciation of everyday American English. The focus is always on practical use, whether it's mastering common idioms that add color to your speech or clarifying grammar points in a way that sticks. Designed for learners at any stage, the podcast turns complicated topics into manageable, even enjoyable, lessons. The goal is to build your confidence so you can express yourself more naturally and understand more of the world around you. Tune in and discover how approachable learning a language can be, one clear and helpful episode at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy English Podcast
Podcast Episodes
1042 - How to Use the Present Progressive Naturally in English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:25
I’m recording this podcast right now. These days, I’m also working on a new pronunciation course. And tomorrow, I’m meeting a friend for coffee. Did you notice something? In all three sentences, I used the present progre…
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Duration: 8:06
I wish I had more time. I wish I could travel more. I wish it wasn’t raining today. You’ve probably heard sentences like these before. Do you wish using the word wish wasn't so confusing. Should you say, “I wish I have m…
1040 - Got to → Gotta  Speak Naturally in a Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20
Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every week with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.Today, l…
1039 - Head Means GO - English Tips in a Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16
Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every week with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. Today, let’s look at…
1038 - Is It I Have or I’m Having? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:37
I have a dog. I’m having fun. Two very simple sentences, right? But here’s the question… why can we say “I’m having fun,” but we can’t say, “I’m having a dog”? Yeah… that sounds strange. So what’s going on here? Why does…
1037 - How to Use BOTH Naturally in English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:26
Both. Such a simple word, right? But when you actually try to use it in conversation… things can get a little tricky. Should you say, “Both of us went”? Or “We both went”? Or maybe… “Both we went”? Yeah… that one doesn’t…
1036 - Either vs. Neither - What’s the Difference? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:43
I don’t smoke. Me neither. I don’t drink. I don’t either. Hmm… so which one is it? Either? Or neither? Or maybe a better question is - when should you use either, and when should you use neither? Should you say, “I don’t…
1035 - WANNA WANTS-TUH Speak Naturally in a Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56
Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every week with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.Today, l…
1034 - What's GRAB? - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13
Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every week with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. Today, let’s look at…
1033 - Special Uses of AT and IN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:31
At. In. These are small words, but as you saw in episode 1032, they can be a little tricky. We use both of them to talk about location, and sometimes the meaning feels the same. But there are also some very specific situ…