Basic Greetings in English An English conversation a conversation usually starts with a question. There are two kinds of questions we use - how and what. Here are some examples of each: How are you?              What’s new? How’s it going?           What’s up? How’s life?             What’s going on? How’s everything?       What’s shaking? The how questions ask about our feeling or condition, so t...

Hi Everyone. May is half over now and it looks like the weather here in NY will finally be getting warmer. It’s time to start thinking about the summer. That reminds me! A little while ago, someone asked me about the difference between start & begin. I think the rules are pretty clear, so have a look at today’s lessongraphic for the answer: Now it’s your turn. How about trying to write an original sente...

Welcome to another one-point Happy English Lesson! Today, I'm going to teach you how to use ever and never with the present perfect. Have a look at the graphic here for the details. If you enjoyed this lesson, get email updates (it's free). Enter email address:   If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them. Thanks f...

Hi English Language fans! It was a bit chilly this morning in NYC. Well, today I have a special English lesson for you that I think is really going to help you learn the difference between the prepositions at & in when talking about location. I know so many people have trouble with these two words, but if you can remember a few basic rules and patterns, you’ll have it down pat! We often use both at & in t...

Hi there all of you English Grammar Fans. Today, I’d like to teach you the difference between am not and do not. A lot of my students have said that they feel confused with this point. Maybe you are too? I hope today’s lesson can help you remember this English Grammar easily! We use am not + noun I am not Jack, I’m Michael. Not, I do not Jack Jack is not the president. He is the VP. Bob is not a student. H...

Good morning from Happy English in NYC! I love the convenience of living in the Big Apple, and this city has many conveniences like the transportation, and huge number of restaurants. How about your town? Today, I want to teach you the difference between convenience and convenient. A lot of students have trouble with these words. How about you? Are you using them correctly? Have a look at the lessongraphic below...

IDIOM #1: a cup of joe  How to use it:  You can buy, drink, make, etc a cup of joe. Explanation: Joe is a slang word for coffee and so a cup of joe means a cup of coffee. Example: I like to start my day with a cup of joe. IDIOM #2: a dime a dozen How to use it:  [something] is a dime a dozen Explanation: A dozen means twelve, and a dime is a ten-cent coin, so a dime a dozen literally means tw...

Should and must are both modal verbs in English, but basically have a different meaning. Must has a much stronger meaning because it expresses duty or a rule. Should is often used to mean "I think it is a good idea," so it has a less strong meaning. Here is a lessongraphic showing the basic differences: If you enjoyed this lesson, get email updates (it's free). Enter email address:   If you know...

Hi Everyone. Here is a one-point vocabulary lesson about beside & besides. Beside is a preposition of location. It means next to. The clock is beside the candleholder on the shelf. I was sitting beside Jack at the restaurant. Please put that table beside the sofa. Besides is used as conversational phrase to mean “in addition” or “as well” or “moreover.” I had a late lunch, so I wasn’t hungry whe...

Greetings from sunny and warm New York City. It’s such a nice day today. If you walk along Madison Avenue, you can see a lot of people with smiles walking around and enjoying the sunshine. Well, for today’s free English grammar lesson, we are going to look at the preposition with. A lot of people have written to tell me that they have problems with this preposition, so I hope that today I can make it a bit clearer fo...