Episode Details

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 Podcast on YouTube.

Today, let’s look at a really useful expression for telling stories - “the next thing I knew.” We use the next thing I knew when something happens quickly or unexpectedly, especially in a story. It’s another way to say “and then suddenly…” or “after that…”

• Like, “I sat down on the sofa to rest, and the next thing I knew, I fell asleep.”
• Or: “I was looking at instagram on my phone, and the next thing I knew, it was after midnight.”

We use this expression to show a jump in time - like your story skips ahead to the next big moment.
So remember, if you want to make your storytelling more natural and dramatic, try using “the next thing I knew.” It brings your story to life.

Lemme know in the comments how it goes, 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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Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly.

🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts

📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop:
https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup

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