Dump 15 words and sound smarter

Someone I recently interviewed fretted over her choice of words. Not to worry, I assured her. Even in writing, quotes are better when they sound like spoken conversation — casual, grammatically imperfect. It doesn’t mean readers will think you’re not smart.

Yet who can’t relate? Too often I wish I could rewind and revise my speech, oral and written. We’d all prefer to seem brilliant. Or at least smarter.

Dump 15 words from habitual use, and you might, says Business Insider. Losing these words can make a surprising difference in others’ impressions, with a bonus of improved English. Mrs. Language Person would be proud, if I hadn’t killed her (I keep trying. The snit.)

1. That

Too often unnecessary. Read aloud a sentence with “that” in the middle, then read it again without “that.” Odds are (that) you didn’t need it. And please remember, people are “who” or “whom;” not “that.” You have a friend who, not a boss that.

2. Went

Try another verb; it sounds better and informs more. I drove to work. I (went and) flew to Spain (in my dreams).

3. Honestly

Don’t use it to add emphasis; that’s (honestly) not what it means. The literal implication is your other words are false.

4. Literally

Speaking of literal, keep it that way. Literal means happening exactly as described. It doesn’t mean extremely or surprisingly. The irony is that today it’s more often used to mean its antonym, “figuratively” (e.g., “it literally blew my mind” — ouch!). That’s the opposite of “literal’s” meaning.

5. Absolutely (necessary)

Don’t be redundant; you don’t need both. Something is either necessary, as in essential, or it (absolutely) isn’t.

6, 7. Very and really

Accurate adjectives don’t need qualifiers or assurance of veracity, so if you use either to make a point, dump it and change the adjective or be more specific. Very sad is forlorn or despondent; really happy (as opposed to falsely happy?) is ecstatic. How cold is very cold to you — 50 degrees or 5?

8, 9. Amazing and incredible

Use sparingly. If what you’re describing didn’t “cause great surprise” or “sudden” wonder, it isn’t amazing. Unless it literally (yes, correct here) defies credibility, it is not incredible. If nearly everything is incredible or amazing, then nothing is.

10, 11. Always and never

They are rarely accurate; they allow no exceptions. So unless that’s what you mean, they expose your statement to criticism and doubt.

12. Just

Unless you mean equitable or fair, (just) don’t use this unnecessary filler. If you insist on a qualifier, (just) find another word.

13. Maybe

If you (really) are uninformed or uncertain and want to convey that, fine. Otherwise, “maybe” makes you sound unsure or unreliable. Either research more before saying anything, or (maybe) reword to convey your meaning or opinion.

14. Stuff

This casual placeholder is overused. Find a word to describe the stuff; inform your audience.

15. Irregardless

Best avoided, and arguably not a word. It literally (yes, exactly) means regardless, so why include the “ir”? If you’re wondering, “regardless” means despite the prevailing circumstances, synonymous with nevertheless.

Honestly, irregardless of this incredible list of stuff, maybe people that want to sound really smart just should always stick to words that they’re absolutely sure mean what they literally think they do.

P.S. I removed two from this list from my first draft. Really.

Sholeh Patrick, J.D., is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.