1024 - The Thing Is - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

1024 - The Thing Is - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

Author: Michael DiGiacomo Happy English April 4, 2026 Duration: 1:44
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 a really common conversational phrase - “the thing is…”
We use the thing is when we want to explain a situation or give a reason, especially when there’s a problem, a limitation, or something we need to clarify. It’s very similar to here’s the thing, but a little softer and more casual.

For example, someone might ask:  “Why didn’t you come to the party?”  You could say: “The thing is, I wasn’t feeling well.”

Or maybe you’re explaining a situation:  “The thing is, I already made other plans.”

We often use this phrase when we want to be honest, but also polite. It helps soften what we’re about to say.

Remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

The Happy English Podcast
Helping people speak English better since 2014
Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads

📘 Build your 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

🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses
https://www.myhappyenglish.com

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
966 - When It Comes To - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45
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 t…
965 - Gear Up For - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43
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 spe…
963 - Shadowing - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:25
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 i…
961 - Kick Off - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58
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 spe…
960 - Talking About Opinions - I Think, I Guess, I Suppose, I’d Say [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:02
Have you ever found yourself using “I think” a little too much when giving your opinion? Like, “I think that’s a good idea,” “I think we should try it,” “I think he’s right.” It’s a good expression - clear and direct - b…
959 - The Tiny Y - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05
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 i…
958 - To This Day - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49
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 t…
957 - Luck Out - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45
Today’s phrasal verb is luck out. When you luck out, it means you have really good luck - usually by chance. Something goes much better than you expected, and you didn’t have to do anything special. It just happened.For…