We all want to express ourselves clearly and effectively. But sometimes, even the most confident communicators can slip up and use phrases that unintentionally downplay their intelligence or credibility. Here, we’ll explore 24 expressions to be mindful of and alternative phrasings that can elevate your communication game.
1. “Literally” Used Exaggeratively: Sticking to the Literal Meaning
We’ve all heard someone say, “I was literally dying laughing!” While it emphasizes how funny something was, the word “literally” means “strictly true or according to the exact meaning of the word.” In this case, you weren’t actually dying.
- Alternatives: Consider stronger adverbs that accurately reflect the intensity. “I was cracking up!” or “That wasHilarious!” These options effectively convey amusement without compromising the literal meaning.
2. “You Know What I Mean?” – Building Confidence in Your Communication
Scattering “you know what I mean?” throughout your speech can make you sound unsure of yourself. It places the burden of understanding on the listener and disrupts the flow of your communication.
- Alternatives: Focus on delivering your message clearly and concisely. If you do feel the need for clarification, rephrase your sentence or use phrases like, “To clarify,” or “In other words.”
3. “Irregardless” – Using the Right Word
There’s no such word as “irregardless.” Perhaps you’re confusing it with “regardless,” which means “in spite of” or “without regard to.”
- Alternatives: Simply use “regardless” when you want to express that something doesn’t matter or isn’ t relevant to the situation.
4. “Try and” When You Mean “Try To” – Formal Communication Matters
“Try and” is a common grammatical error. The correct phrase is “try to.”
- Alternatives: Always use “try to” when indicating an attempt to do something.
5. Clichés: Finding Fresh Expressions
Clichés are overused phrases that have lost their impact. Saying things like “it is what it is” or “raining cats and dogs” doesn’t add much to your message.
- Alternatives: Strive for originality! Use vivid descriptions and specific language to paint a picture with your words and engage your listeners.
6. “Ain’t” – Maintaining Professionalism
While “ain’t” may be common in casual conversation, avoid it in professional settings or formal writing. It can come across as uneducated or unprofessional.
- Alternatives: There’s almost always a more appropriate option. Use “am not,” “aren’t,” “haven’t,” or “hasn’t” depending on the context.
7. Valley Speak: Expressing Yourself Clearly
Valley speak, characterized by fillers like “like” and “totally,” can be grating and undermine the seriousness of your message.
- Alternatives: Pay attention to your filler words. Pause strategically for emphasis and strive for clear, concise communication.
8. Jargon and Buzzwords: Clarity Over Complexity
Jargon is technical language specific to a particular field. Buzzwords are trendy phrases used excessively. Both can make your message confusing for those unfamiliar with the terms.
- Alternatives: Explain technical terms you must use. Opt for clear, concise language that your audience can understand.
9. Rambling and Tangents: Sticking to the Point
Going off on tangents or rambling can make it difficult for your audience to follow your train of thought.
- Alternatives: Organize your thoughts beforehand. Structure your message with a clear beginning, middle, and end, staying focused on the main point.
10. Euphemisms: Being Direct and Honest
Euphemisms are indirect ways of expressing something unpleasant. While they can soften a blow, overuse can make you sound vague or inauthentic.
- Alternatives: When appropriate, be direct and honest. If you need to deliver bad news, do so clearly and empathetically.
11. Overused Apologies: Taking Responsibility While Owning Your Communication
Constantly apologizing for minor things can downplay your confidence.
- Alternatives: Apologize sincerely when necessary, but avoid apologizing for things you can’t control or for simply expressing your opinion.
12. “Umm” and “Uhh” – Controlling Unnecessary Fillers
Filler words like “umm” and “uhh” can distract from your message and make you sound unprepared.
- Alternatives: Take a beat to gather your thoughts before speaking. Practice mindfulness and focus on clear communication.
13. “At the End of the Day” – Expressing Yourself Concisely
This phrase is often a crutch that weakens your argument. It can also signal that you haven’t fully considered all aspects of the issue.
- Alternatives: State your main point directly and avoid filler phrases. If you need to summarize, use stronger options like “In conclusion” or “Ultimately.”
14. “Me and…” – Following Grammatical Rules
“Me and…” is incorrect grammar. The proper way to say it is “I and…” in the subjective case or “My friend and I…” in the objective case.
- Alternatives: Pay attention to subject-verb agreement. Use “I” when you are the subject of the sentence and “me” when you are the object.
15. “Should Of” – Using Proper Verb Tense
“Should of” is a common misspelling of “should have” or “should’ve” (contraction).
- Alternatives: Use the correct verb tense to indicate obligation or possibility in the past.
16. “Anyways” – Formal Versus Informal Communication
“Anyways” is generally considered informal. While acceptable in casual conversation, it’s best to avoid it in formal settings.
- Alternatives: In formal writing or speech, use “anyway” or rephrase your sentence to avoid the adverb altogether.
17. “That’s Just My Two Cents” – Confidence in Your Ideas
Downplaying your ideas with phrases like “That’s just my two cents” can make you sound unsure of yourself.
- Alternatives: Present your ideas with confidence. You can preface them with “I believe” or “In my opinion” to acknowledge it’s your perspective, but avoid diminishing its value.
18. “It Is What It Is” – Offering Solutions or Support
While this cliché acknowledges a situation, it doesn’t offer solutions or support.
- Alternatives: If appropriate, suggest solutions or offer help. You can acknowledge the situation and show empathy by saying, “That’s a tough situation. Is there anything I can do?”
19. “You Know” – Unnecessary Filler Words
“You know” is another unnecessary filler word that disrupts the flow of your speech.
- Alternatives: Pause strategically for emphasis, or rephrase your sentence to eliminate the need for the filler.
20. “Very” – Using Stronger Adjectives
Overusing “very” weakens your adjectives. Consider more impactful alternatives.
- Alternatives: Instead of “very interesting,” try “fascinating” or “engrossing.” A thesaurus can be a helpful tool for finding stronger synonyms.
21. “No Problem” – Acknowledging Gratitude
While “no problem” is a common response to “thank you,” it can downplay the gratitude being expressed.
- Alternatives: Consider responses like “You’re welcome,” “Glad I could help,” or “My pleasure.” These acknowledge the appreciation and show you value being helpful.
22. “I Could Care Less” – Meaning What You Say
“I could care less” actually implies the opposite of what most people intend. It means you do care, at least to some degree.
- Alternatives: If you truly don’t care, a simple “I don’t care” is sufficient. If something bothers you slightly, say “I’m not a fan of that” or “I find that frustrating.”
23. “Let’s Take This Offline” – Outdated Expressions
“Let’s take this offline” is a relic of the pre-internet era. It can sound vague or secretive in a digital world.
- Alternatives: Be more specific about how you want to continue the conversation. Suggest a phone call, email, or in-person meeting depending on the situation.
24. “To Be Honest” – Building Trust Through Transparency
“To be honest” can sometimes imply that you haven’t been entirely honest beforehand.
- Alternatives: Strive for transparency throughout your communication. If you need to clarify something, use phrases like “Let me rephrase that” or “To be more specific.”
Remember, language is a powerful tool. By being mindful of the words you choose and avoiding expressions that can undermine your message, you can communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively in any situation.