We all want to be taken seriously in life, but many of us are misdirected, believing that our confidence, appearance, and actions are all that matter. In reality, the words that we choose on a day-to-day basis are far more important, so if you care about how seriously other people take you, make sure you avoid the following phrases.
“No Offense, But…”
Here in the UK, this phrase is very common, and as the Washington Post points out, it usually precedes a statement that is likely to offend. It signals that you’re aware your words might hurt but aren’t willing to take responsibility for their impact; why should anyone take you seriously after that? So, dropping this from your speech might be wise, as it can make your feedback more direct and respectful without the defensive cushion.
“It Is What It Is”
While many people love it, a lot of Brits claim that saying “It is what it is” can make you appear passive or indifferent, suggesting that you have no intention of seeking a solution or changing the situation. It communicates a sense of resignation rather than the proactive attitude expected in a serious, professional context. However, used in the right context, it’s not that big of a deal.
“I’m Just Saying”
Similar to “No offense, but…” this phrase can come across as a way to dismiss accountability for your opinions. It implies that your words shouldn’t be taken seriously, even if they might carry weight. For more effective communication, own your statements without this dismissive add-on.
“I’ll Try”
You might not realize that when you say, “I’ll try,” it suggests a lack of commitment and confidence to whatever you are “trying” to do. In fact, some people will see it as a lazy excuse for potential failure before even starting. Instead, consider replacing it with “I will” to demonstrate determination and a clear intent to follow through on your commitments.
“Just”
Believe it or not, this small word can undermine your message by minimizing the importance of your statements, preventing people from taking you seriously. For example, phrases like “I just think” or “I’m just checking” downplay your presence and contributions. It’s basically becoming a filler word, so you can safely eliminate it from your vocabulary (in most cases), and people will likely respect you more for it.
“No Problem”
When you respond to someone by saying “no problem,” this can inadvertently suggest that there could have been an issue otherwise, which could come across poorly. Just say “You’re welcome” or “happy to help” instead, both of which are more positive and maintain a professional tone, indicating that assisting was your intention from the outset.
“To Be Honest”
Another phrase you should probably stop using if you want people to take you seriously is beginning any sentence with “to be honest.” Even if you think it’s a stretch, this simple filler sentence implies to some people that you haven’t been fully transparent previously, ironically raising doubts about your overall integrity.
“Sorry, But…”
Just like the last couple of phrases, starting a sentence with “Sorry, but…” immediately diminishes your authority and can make you seem unsure of your stance. When you need to express an opinion or deliver information, do so without a preemptive apology unless a genuine apology is warranted.
“Whatever”
Most people can agree that the word “Whatever” can come across as dismissive and indicates a lack of engagement or interest, at least in certain contexts. Using it in discussions can suggest that you don’t care about the outcome or the conversation, making others question your investment in the matter at hand.
“I Don’t Know”
Nobody knows everything, but bluntly saying “I don’t know” without offering to find the answer can reflect poorly on your willingness to contribute to a conversation or situation. If you’re unsure about something, it’s much more professional to say, “Let me find out” or “I’ll look into it,” showing that you’re proactive rather than passive.
“I Guess”
Another very common albeit surprisingly damaging phrase is simply saying “I guess,” which can suggest uncertainty and a lack of confidence in your statements. When you “guess” instead of confidently stating your knowledge or opinion, nobody is going to take what you have to say seriously because you’re quite literally telling them that you’re guessing.
“At the End of the Day”
Here in the UK, we love rounding off discussions by saying, “At the end of the day…” but it’s quickly becoming a cliché. It can make you sound unoriginal or like you’re summarizing without truly engaging with the topic, detracting from the main message. It’s absolutely fine to use in informal contexts, but don’t expect people to take you seriously when using it at work.
“Like I Said Before”
It’s never a good idea to say this phrase, as it can come off as condescending, implying that others weren’t paying attention or need reminding unnecessarily. It’s more effective to restate your point with a fresh perspective or provide additional context rather than highlighting a previous statement.
“I’m No Expert, But…”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this phrase immediately diminishes your credibility by prefacing your input with a disclaimer. Instead of downplaying your knowledge, express your thoughts confidently. If relevant, acknowledge your limitations differently, focusing on the value of your insights rather than downplaying them.
“You Know What I Mean?”
If you haven’t heard some kid saying, “You know what I mean?” in a lazy drool, you must have been living under a rock. It’s an incredibly common phrase in the UK these days, although it originated in the U.S. Amusingly, even some adults are using it these days, and it’s really not a good look, no matter how you put it.
“In My Opinion”
While it’s important to acknowledge your perspective, constantly prefacing your statements with “in my opinion” can make your views seem less firm. If you’re sharing thoughts that are evidently your own, this qualifier is often unnecessary and can be omitted for stronger communication, especially in the workplace.
“I Can’t”
As our teachers used to say in school, “There’s no such word as ‘can’t’.” Obviously, there is, but the reason they said this is that this phrase quickly shuts down possibilities and makes you appear unwilling to find solutions. Obviously, no one will take you seriously if you’re not even willing to try.
“Let’s Agree to Disagree”
Even though it’s sometimes necessary, this phrase can suggest an unwillingness to engage further or find common ground. It can come across as a way to end a discussion abruptly without fully addressing the issues at hand, which will make the person you say it to see you a lot less seriously next time you’re discussing something important.
“Literally”
Most people are aware that overusing “literally” can dilute its meaning and make your statements sound exaggerated or less credible. These days, it’s usually used as a filler word, completely incorrectly, just to emphasize points. It’s pretty ironic because this modern usage is a direct contradiction of the definition of “literally.”
“I’ll Get Back to You”
Sometimes, this phrase can be appropriate, but overusing it without follow-through will damage people’s trust in you over time. If you commit to getting back to someone, you should ensure that you do exactly that, following up as promised. Alternatively, offer a specific time frame or immediate assistance to maintain accountability.
“It’s Not My Fault”
Finally, we all should have been taught as children that saying “It’s not my fault” deflects blame and appears unnecessarily defensive. Outrageously, though, a lot of adults still use this phrase on the regular. Trust us–no one is going to take you seriously if you keep throwing this phrase around, so drop it from your personal dictionary.