Susie Wilson
Words give us the power to express ourselves and communicate with others. Our word choice reflects how we want to be perceived by the people we talk to whether they are loved ones, classmates, or strangers we meet. And while we believe being yourself is always important, there’s no harm in improving your communication skills and practising correct grammar.
So, if you want to sound confident and move people with your thoughts, you need to avoid using these words and find better, more accurate alternatives:
“Just”
This word can mean two extremes: either you’re way too shy or too authoritative when addressing your concerns. Of course, it’s best to sound like neither so refrain from using the term. For example, the shy type would say “I just wanted to follow up” and it gives off the impression that you’re afraid to get feedback when you shouldn’t be.
Meanwhile, the authoritative type would say “Just follow up” and that makes you sound demanding and not easy to work with. As much as you want to be confident, you don’t want to come across as arrogant and unfriendly. Drop “just” and replace it with refined terms like “kindly” or “please”.
Maybe”
It’s not a good word if you want to sound convincing. Try not saying “maybe” and you’ll notice how your statements become straightforward and clear. Another example is when you’re asked a yes-no question. Replying “maybe” sounds neutral and won’t get things done. If you’re on the affirmative side, don’t hesitate to say “yes” or other assuring terms like “definitely”, “certainly”, and “absolutely”. It’s also okay to say “No, thank you” or “Sorry, I won’t be able to” if you want to decline. Making a clear decision is also a sign of respect to the person asking.
Like”
We’re all guilty of this filler word! It’s acceptable to use if you’re a teen or teen at heart rambling to your friends. But if you’re in the workplace and your boss wants you to explain important matters, avoid the use of “like” and make concise statements instead. You’ll sound more credible, plus, you’re giving the impression that you value everyone’s time by cutting to the chase.
“Um” or “Uh”
Now, these are filler words often uttered when you’ve lost your train of thought. Using the words “um” or “uh” can affect our way of communicating and make listeners feel less engaged in the conversation.
Susie Wilson, International Etiquette Expert