You’re no idiot, but are you using words making you sound like you might be not so clever? If you’re saying these things regularly, you might be doing yourself a disservice.
1. “Like” is your bestie in every sentence.
Okay, let’s talk about “like”. It’s everywhere, right? You’re telling a story, and suddenly, it’s “I was like… and then they were like…” Before you know it, your whole convo is swimming in “likes”. It’s not doing you any favours, trust me. It can make you sound a bit unsure or like you’re still stuck in high school. Try this: next time you’re chatting, catch yourself before dropping a “like”. Take a tiny pause instead. It’ll make you sound more confident and grown-up without even trying.
2. “Literally” is your go-to for drama.
“I’m literally dying right now!” Are you, though? Unless you’re actually knocking on heaven’s door, chances are you’re just exaggerating. Overusing “literally” for things that aren’t, well, literal, can make you sound a bit over the top. It’s like crying wolf — use it too much, and people might not take you seriously when something actually massive happens. Why not spice it up? Try “seriously”, “absolutely”, or “totally” instead. Your stories will still pack a punch, minus the eye rolls.
3. “Um” and “uh” are your thinking sounds.
We’ve all been there — brain freeze mid-sentence, and out come the “ums” and “uhs”. It’s like your mouth’s way of saying “loading, please wait”. But here’s the thing: too many of these, and you might come across as a bit unsure or unprepared. Next time you feel an “um” coming on, try this cool trick: just pause. A moment of silence can actually make you seem super thoughtful. Or, if you need more time, throw in a “You know what?” or “Let me think about that”. It keeps things flowing without the “um” speed bumps.
4. “Basically” is your explainer crutch
Source: Unsplash Using “basically” to break things down? It might seem helpful, but it can actually make you sound like you’re dumbing things down too much. Plus, if you use it all the time, it loses its oomph. Instead of “basically” this and “basically” that, why not jump straight into your explanation? Or, if you really want to set it up, try “In a nutshell” or “The gist is”. It’s a small tweak that can make you sound way more on the ball.
5. “You know” is your conversation filler.
Source: Unsplash “You know” is like the salt of the language world — a little goes a long way, but too much ruins the dish. Peppering your chats with “you know” can make it seem like you’re fishing for agreement or aren’t sure if you’re making sense. It can get pretty distracting for the person you’re talking to, too. Try this: next time you’re about to say “you know”, take a beat. Do they really know? If not, just keep rolling with your point. Your convos will feel clearer and more direct.
6. “Thing” is your catch-all for everything.
Source: Unsplash Ever find yourself talking about “that thing” or “the thingy”? It’s super tempting to use “thing” as a shortcut when you can’t think of the right word. But it can make you sound a bit vague or like you don’t know what you’re on about. Challenge yourself to be more specific. Instead of “Can you pass me that thing?” try to name it. Even if you’re not spot on, something like “Can you pass me that gadget?” sounds way more precise. It shows you’re putting in the effort to communicate clearly.
7. “Really” is your go-to intensifier.
Source: Unsplash “That’s really cool” or “I’m really tired” — sound familiar? “Really” is like the vanilla ice cream of intensifiers. It gets the job done, but it’s not exactly exciting. Overusing it can make your speech feel a bit bland. Why not jazz things up? Try swapping “really” for more colourful words. Instead of “really happy”, you could be “ecstatic” or “over the moon”. Not only will you sound more articulate, but you’ll also paint a more vivid picture with your words. It’s a win-win!
8. “Just” is your minimiser.
Source: Unsplash “I’m just saying” or “I just wanted to check” — “just” might seem harmless, but it can actually undermine what you’re saying. It’s like you’re apologising for your thoughts before you even share them. It can make you sound less confident or like you’re downplaying your ideas. Try this: cut “just” out and see how much stronger your sentences become. “I wanted to check” sounds more direct and confident. Remember, your thoughts and opinions are worth expressing without shrinking them down!
9. “Stuff” is your catch-all for details.
Source: Unsplash Using “stuff” to sum up a bunch of things might seem handy, but it can make you sound a bit lazy with your words. It’s like throwing everything into a junk drawer instead of organising it properly. Next time you’re tempted to say “I’ve got stuff to do”, try being more specific. Even something like “I’ve got errands to run” or “I’ve got work to finish” gives a clearer picture. It shows you’ve got a handle on your tasks and aren’t just dealing with a vague pile of “stuff”. Plus, it makes your life sound way more interesting!
10. “Kind of” and “sort of” are your wishy-washy buddies.
Source: Unsplash These phrases might seem like a good way to soften what you’re saying, but they can actually make you sound unsure or non-committal. If you’re always saying things like “I’m kind of tired” or “It’s sort of important”, you might come across as someone who can’t make up their mind. Try this: if something’s true, own it! Say “I’m tired” or “It’s important”. If you’re not sure, it’s okay to say that, too. Being direct doesn’t mean being rude — it just means you know your own mind.
11. “Whatever” is your go-to dismissal.
Source: Unsplash “Whatever” might seem like a cool, casual way to brush things off, but it can actually make you sound pretty dismissive or even rude. It’s like the verbal equivalent of an eye roll. Even if you don’t mean it that way, it can come across as if you don’t care or can’t be bothered to engage properly. Instead of “whatever”, why not try something more specific? If you agree, say “Okay, that works”. If you disagree, explain why. It shows you’re actually listening and engaging, which is way more impressive.
12. “Actually” is your fact-checker.
Source: Unsplash Starting sentences with “Actually…” might feel like you’re setting the record straight, but it can come across as a bit know-it-all-ish. It’s like you’re always correcting people, even when that’s not your intention. Try this: instead of leading with “Actually”, just state your point. If you’re adding info, say “Also” or “Plus”. If you disagree, a simple “I see it differently” works wonders. You’ll still get your point across, but without sounding like you’re always contradicting people.
13. “Literally” is your figurative friend (again).
Source: Unsplash Yep, we’re circling back to “literally” because it’s such a common trap! Using it for things that aren’t literal (like “I’m literally glued to my phone”) can make you sound a bit dramatic or like you don’t know what “literally” means. Here’s a fun challenge: try banning “literally” from your vocab for a week. You’ll probably find you don’t need it as much as you think. And when you do use it, make sure it’s for something that’s actually, literally true. Your words will pack more punch that way!
14. “Honestly” is your truth serum.
Source: Unsplash Starting sentences with “Honestly…” might seem like you’re being super truthful, but it can backfire. It might make people wonder if you’re not being honest the rest of the time! Plus, it can come across as a bit defensive, like you’re trying to convince someone you’re not fibbing. Instead of saying “Honestly, I loved the movie”, just go with “I loved the movie”. The honesty is implied, and you’ll sound more straightforward and confident.
15. “No offence, but…” is your conversation disclaimer.
Source: Unsplash This phrase is like a red flag in conversations. It usually signals that you’re about to say something potentially offensive or critical. The thing is, saying “no offence” doesn’t actually soften the blow. It’s like putting a plaster on before you punch someone — it doesn’t really help! If you find yourself about to use this phrase, pause and think. Is what you’re about to say necessary? Kind? If not, maybe keep it to yourself. If it is, try to phrase it constructively without the disclaimer.
16. “I can’t even” is your expression of overwhelm.
Source: Unsplash This phrase might feel like a cool, casual way to express being overwhelmed, but overusing it can make you sound a bit inarticulate. It’s like you’re giving up on explaining your feelings. Instead of “I can’t even”, why not try to pin down what you’re feeling? “I’m blown away” or “That’s incredible” are more specific and give people a better idea of your reaction. Plus, it shows you’ve got the vocab to express yourself clearly, which is always impressive.
17. “You guys” is your go-to group address.
Source: Unsplash “Hey, you guys!” might seem like a friendly way to address a group, but it’s not always the most inclusive choice. It can make some people feel left out or misgendered. Try mixing it up with more neutral terms like “everyone”, “folks”, or “team”. If you’re in a professional setting, “colleagues” works well too. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in making sure everyone feels included and respected in the conversation. Plus, it shows you’re thoughtful about your language choices, which is always a good look!
