If you want to sound more intelligent, avoid these 7 cringey phrases

From the Personal Branding Blog

Have you ever caught yourself using a phrase that, in hindsight, made you cringe?

I know I have.

The way we speak plays a huge role in how others perceive us. The right words can make us sound sharp and confident, while the wrong ones can do the exact opposite—making us seem unsure, out of touch, or even less credible than we actually are.

The tricky part? Some of the most common phrases people use to sound intelligent actually have the opposite effect.

If you want to come across as sharp, polished, and articulate, it’s time to drop these seven cringey phrases from your vocabulary.

1) “I read this somewhere”

Nothing weakens your credibility faster than being vague about your sources.

Saying “I read this somewhere” makes it sound like you’re unsure of the information you’re sharing—or worse, that you didn’t actually read it at all. If you want to sound more intelligent, be specific.

Instead, try something like “I recently read an article in [source] that mentioned…” or “There was a study by [researcher or institution] that found…” This not only makes you sound more informed but also shows that you pay attention to where your information comes from.

Being precise with your sources adds weight to your words and makes people take you more seriously.

2) “To be honest”

I used to say “to be honest” all the time—until someone pointed out how bad it sounded.

One day, I was in a meeting, sharing my thoughts on a project when I said, “To be honest, I think we should take a different approach.” A colleague jokingly responded, “Wait… so were you not being honest before?” And that’s when it hit me.

When you preface a statement with “to be honest,” it can unintentionally make people question your honesty in general. It suggests that maybe everything else you’ve said wasn’t entirely truthful.

Instead, just say what you mean with confidence. If something is important, you can emphasize it in other ways—without making people wonder if your usual words are less than genuine.

3) “I’m no expert, but…”

Why undermine yourself before you even make your point?

I used to say this all the time, thinking it made me sound humble. But in reality, it just made people tune out before I even finished my sentence. If you start with “I’m no expert, but…” you’re basically telling people that whatever comes next isn’t worth taking seriously.

Here’s the truth: You don’t have to be an expert to have a valid opinion. If you’ve done your research, have experience, or simply have a thoughtful perspective—own it.

Instead of downplaying yourself, just say what you want to say. Confidence makes people listen. Self-doubt makes them question if they should.

4) “Does that make sense?”

I used to end my thoughts with “Does that make sense?” without even thinking about it. But once I noticed it, I realized how weak it made me sound.

When you ask this, you’re unintentionally suggesting that you don’t trust your own ability to communicate clearly. It puts the burden on the listener to reassure you instead of just letting your words stand on their own.

If you’re worried about clarity, a simple tweak makes all the difference. Try “Let me know if you’d like me to clarify” or “What are your thoughts?” These keep the conversation open without making you seem unsure of yourself.

5) “I just think”

Did you know that adding unnecessary qualifiers to your speech can make you seem less confident?

Saying “I just think…” or “I just feel like…” weakens your statement before you even get to the point. It makes whatever you’re about to say sound less certain, as if you’re hesitating or trying to soften your opinion.

Psychologists have found that people who speak with more direct language are often perceived as more competent and persuasive. So instead of saying, “I just think this could be a good idea,” say, “This is a good idea because…”

Cutting out that extra word makes you sound more certain—and certainty is what makes people take notice.

6) “Sorry, but…”

You don’t need to apologize for having an opinion.

So many people start sentences with “Sorry, but…” as if they’re afraid of taking up space. But most of the time, there’s nothing to be sorry for. You’re allowed to disagree. You’re allowed to share your thoughts. You’re allowed to speak with confidence.

Of course, there are moments when an apology is necessary—but not when you’re simply expressing an idea. Instead of saying, “Sorry, but I don’t agree,” try “I see it differently” or “Here’s another perspective.”

Your voice matters. Don’t shrink it with unnecessary apologies.

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7) “Like, um.. you know”

Filler words sneak into everyone’s speech, but too many can make you sound uncertain or unprepared.

Pauses are powerful. Instead of filling the silence with “like” or “um,” take a breath and collect your thoughts. A moment of silence is far more impactful than a string of unnecessary words.

The smartest people in the room aren’t the ones who talk the most—they’re the ones who speak with purpose.

The bottom line

The way you speak shapes how others see you. Small changes in your language can make a big difference in how intelligent, confident, and credible you appear.

But this isn’t about sounding smarter just for the sake of it. It’s about communicating with clarity, owning your ideas, and trusting that your words have value.

Next time you catch yourself using one of these phrases, pause. Ask yourself—am I saying this out of habit, or do I truly need it? More often than not, cutting it out will make your statement stronger.

The most intelligent people aren’t the ones who try to sound smart. They’re the ones who speak with intention, honesty, and purpose.

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