5 Phrases Smart People Never Use in Conversations
Smart People Are Specific in Conversations
One of the biggest errors made when talking to another person is saying something that is confusing, non-specific or just a waste of everyone's time.Smart people know that the key to clear communication is to:
- think before you speak
- avoid the little catch phrases that often slip into conversations
I Could Care Less
Some people say "I could care less." thinking that they are showing their indifference to what's being said or done . . . that they don't care.Why you should not use: When you say "I could care less." it doesn't mean that you don't care. It means you have some level of caring.
What to use instead: I don't care.
All I Know Is
Starting a sentence with "All I know is . . ." can really misrepresent what you know or feel.Why you should not use: When you use "All I know is . . ." to start a sentence, you run the risk that the listener will take your words literally, and assume that you don't know anything else.
What to use instead: Here are the facts as I see them.
Needless to Say
Starting your sentence with "Needless to say . . ." is really a waste of words and time.Why you should not use: When you start a sentence with "Needless to Say . . ." you are wasting everyone's time - yours and your listeners - by pointing out something that is obvious. If it is needless to say, then it should not be said.
What to use instead: Just say what you have to say, deleting the lead-in of "Needless to say . . ."
It Is What It Is
The phrase "It is what it is." is often said to signal that a person accepts or deals with a situation, whether or not they agree with it.Why you should not use: When you say "It is what it is." you run the risk of appearing to be a lazy person who just wants to leave things as they are or who is not willing to give an opinion or to fix something.
What to use instead: "That is the situation." or "That is what I was told."
It Was For The Best
When unfortunate or upsetting situations occur, some people think the easiest reply is "It was the for best."Why you should not use: To say "It was for the best." may not be true and it may just be offered in the conversation as the easy thing to say.
What to use instead: That's really unfortunate.
