We all want to sound smart, confident, and capable when we speak. After all, the way we communicate shapes how others see us—whether it’s in a business meeting, a sales pitch, or a casual conversation.
But here’s the thing: some of the words we use every day might be working against us. They make us seem uncertain, unprepared, or even less credible than we actually are.
And the worst part? We don’t even notice we’re using them.
The good news is that small tweaks in your vocabulary can make a huge difference in how people perceive you. By cutting out just a few weak or overused words, you’ll instantly sound more polished, persuasive, and intelligent.
So if you want to level up the way you speak—and the way people listen—start by eliminating these eight words from your vocabulary.
1) Just stop saying “just”
It seems harmless, but “just” is one of the biggest confidence-killers in your vocabulary.
Think about the difference between these two sentences:
“I just wanted to check in on that report.”
“I wanted to check in on that report.”
The first one sounds hesitant, almost like an apology. The second one? It’s direct and self-assured.
When you use “just,” you unintentionally downplay your own authority. It makes your requests seem less important and your statements less confident. And in business—or any professional setting—confidence is everything.
So next time you’re about to say “just,” pause for a second. Remove it from the sentence and see how much stronger you sound.
2) Really, you don’t need “really”
I used to say “really” all the time.
“I’m really excited about this project.”
“That meeting was really productive.”
“This report is really important.”
At some point, I realized that “really” wasn’t adding anything—it was just filler. Instead of making my statements stronger, it actually made them weaker. If something is exciting, productive, or important, I should just say it with confidence.
Now, I make a conscious effort to cut “really” out of my vocabulary. And you know what? My words have more impact. People take what I say more seriously because I sound more certain.
Try it yourself. The next time you’re about to say “really,” drop it. You’ll sound sharper and more persuasive instantly.
3) Literally doesn’t always mean “literally”
People say “literally” all the time, but more often than not, they don’t actually mean it.
“I literally died of embarrassment.”
“It was literally the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
“I’m literally exhausted.”
The word “literally” means something happened exactly as stated—yet it’s constantly used for exaggeration. This overuse has become so common that dictionaries have even added a secondary definition for it, recognizing its use as an intensifier.
But here’s the problem: when you misuse “literally,” it weakens your credibility. If you say something is “literally unbelievable,” people may start to wonder if anything you say is truly accurate.
Instead, be precise with your words. If something is surprising, call it surprising. If you’re tired, say you’re tired. The clearer your language, the smarter you’ll sound.
4) “Basically”, it’s not necessary
“Basically” is one of those words that people throw into sentences without thinking.
“Basically, we need to finish this by Friday.”
“Basically, the idea is to streamline the process.”
“Basically, I’m saying we should go in a different direction.”
The problem? It usually doesn’t add anything of value. In fact, it can make you sound unsure—like you’re trying to simplify something that doesn’t actually need simplifying.
If what you’re saying is already clear, “basically” just weakens your point. And if it’s not clear, using “basically” won’t magically fix that.
Drop it, and your message will be more direct, more confident, and more effective.
5) I try to avoid “try”
For a long time, I didn’t realize how often I was saying “try.”
“I’ll try to get that done by the end of the day.”
“I’ll try to make it to the meeting.”
“I’m trying to grow my business.”
It sounds harmless, but here’s the issue—saying “try” makes you sound uncertain. It leaves room for doubt like you’re not fully committing to what you’re saying.
Now, I make a point to replace “try” with something stronger. Instead of “I’ll try to finish this today,” I say, “I will finish this today.” Instead of “I’m trying to grow my business,” I say, “I’m growing my business.”
It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference. When you remove “try” from your vocabulary, you sound more capable—and people take you more seriously.
6) Sorry, but stop saying “sorry”
Apologizing when you’ve done something wrong is important. But saying “sorry” all the time—when there’s nothing to apologize for—can make you seem less confident and even less competent.
I’ve seen people start emails with, “Sorry to bother you, but…” or say, “Sorry, can I ask a question?” when they have every right to speak up.
Here’s the surprising thing: over-apologizing doesn’t make you sound polite—it makes you sound unsure of yourself. And in business, confidence matters.
Instead of “Sorry for the delay,” try “Thanks for your patience.” Instead of “Sorry, can I add something?” just say, “I’d like to add something.”
You’ll come across as more self-assured—and people will respect what you have to say.
7) Actually, you don’t need “actually”
“Actually” is one of those words that sneaks into sentences without you even realizing it.
“Actually, I think we should go in a different direction.”
“That’s actually a good idea.”
“I actually have some experience with that.”
At first glance, it seems harmless. But if you look closer, “actually” can subtly undermine what you’re saying. It can make it sound like you’re surprised by your own thoughts or like you’re correcting someone—even when that’s not your intention.
Try removing it from your sentences. “I think we should go in a different direction.” “That’s a good idea.” “I have experience with that.”
The result? Your words will sound stronger, more confident, and more natural.
8) “Very” weakens your message
“Very” is often used to emphasize something, but in reality, it does the opposite.
“This is very important.”
“I’m very excited about this opportunity.”
“She’s very talented.”
Instead of making your statement stronger, “very” makes it vague and unimpressive. There’s almost always a better word you can use. Try “crucial” instead of “very important,” “thrilled” instead of “very excited,” and “gifted” instead of “very talented.”
Stronger words make a stronger impact. Drop “very” and say exactly what you mean.
The words you choose shape how others see you
The way you speak—and the words you use—matter more than you think. They affect how people perceive your confidence, intelligence, and even credibility.
Cutting out weak or unnecessary words isn’t about sounding robotic or overly polished. It’s about making your communication clearer, stronger, and more intentional.
Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.”
Choose your words wisely, and you might be surprised at how much more powerful your voice becomes.
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