Astute writers and speakers know that using filler words can weaken our points and delivery. There is almost always a better, more concise, and often more precise way to relay your message. Three major culprits are “very” (and all of his relatives), “just,” and “kind of/sort of.” Leaning on these puffer words is lazy and superfluous, and we can eliminate them altogether. Here’s how to stop using these words.
Word #1: VERY
Positive qualifiers like very, so, really, completely, and totally are often crutches we lean on when we want to emphasize something but aren’t going to think outside our vocabulary comfort zone. The number of times we use these words daily would shock us. Mark Twain believed adjectives to be the bain of writing and suggested swapping damn for each very. If damn isn’t appropriate, then very isn’t, either!
Swapping the word phrase out for better, more creative adjectives denotes a command of language and a vivid depiction. Let’s look at some examples.
Be aware that it’s very hot there in December.
Be aware that it’s scorching there in December.
I feel really sick today, so I won’t make the meeting.
I’m feeling wretched today, so I won’t make the meeting.
Your new friend is so fun.
Your new friend is delightful.
The view from the mountaintop is so pretty.
The view of the mountaintop is breathtaking.
Here are more than 50 additional examples with two or four alternate words for each.
| INSTEAD OF | TRY USING | OR |
| Very afraid/scared | Terrified | Petrified |
| Very angry | Furious | Irate |
| Very annoying | Irksome | Exasperating |
| Very bad | Atrocious | Horrendous |
| Dreadful | Terrible | |
| Very beautiful | Exquisite | Gorgeous |
| Very big/huge | Massive | Immense |
| Very boring | Mundane | Dull |
| Very bright | Dazzling | Scintillating |
| Very calm | Serene | Tranquil |
| Very clean | Immaculate | Spotless |
| Very cold | Frigid | Freezing |
| Very cute | Adorable | Charming |
| Very confused | Baffled | Befuddled |
| Very difficult/hard | Arduous | Laborious |
| Very dirty | Filthy | Grimy |
| Very eager | Ardent | Ambitious |
| Very easy | Effortless | Straightforward |
| Very excited | Thrilled | Enthusiastic |
| Very expensive | Exorbitant | Costly |
| Very friendly | Amiable | Convivial |
| Very fun | Joyous, Joyful | Vivacious |
| Very funny | Hysterical | Hilarious |
| Very good | Impeccable | Exceptional |
| Fantastic | Astounding | |
| Very happy | Cheerful | Overjoyed |
| Very hot | Scorching | Boiling |
| Very hungry | Ravenous | Voracious |
| Very interesting | Fascinating | Intriguing |
| Very long | Interminable | Unceasing |
| Very mean | Hostile | Vicious |
| Very neat | Tidy | Orderly |
| Very nice | Delightful | Amicable |
| Very old | Ancient | Antiquated |
| Very polite | Courteous | Benevolent |
| Very poor | Destitute | Impoverished |
| Very quiet | Noiseless | Placid |
| Very rich | Well-heeled | Opulent |
| Very risky | Perilous | Treacherous |
| Very sad | Bereft | Sorrowful |
| Very short | Brief | Succinct |
| Very shy | Taciturn | Bashful |
| Very small/little | Tiny | Miniscule |
| Very smart/wise | Brilliant | Accomplished |
| Very strong | Powerful | Potent |
| Very stubborn | Obstinate | Recalcitrant |
| Very tall | Towering | Colossal |
| Very tasty | Delicious | Delectable |
| Very thin | Slender | Gaunt |
| Very tired | Exhausted | Drained |
| Very unique | Unique | |
| Very upset | Distraught | Perturbed |
| Very wet | Soaked | Drenched |
Most of the time, these simple language shifts sound natural and unforced. Make these switches and notice how much smarter and more confident you sound.
Word #2: JUST
I just don’t get this one. Just kidding. AH! “Just” is EVERYWHERE. It’s another pesky filler word that dilutes our meaning and makes us feel like we’re expressing politeness when it’s really diminishing our voice and our beliefs. It turns active voice into passive voice in the blink of an eye. Here are some examples of “just.”
On a humorous note, I picture all these being said with some version of “No worries if not!” after each. This tells me how unsure we sound when we use “just.”
Just following up on the email I sent last week!
I’m following up on the email I sent last week. Did you have a chance to read it?
Just wanted to check where you are with the assignment.
Can you give me a progress update on the assignment?
I just didn’t know if you wanted to talk about what happened.
I was texting/calling to see if you wanted to talk about what happened.
I was just calling to make sure we were on for tonight.
Are we still on for tonight?
I’m just asking you to give me a shot.
I’m asking you to give me a shot.
I know I am just an intern, but could I come to the company party?
Can interns attend the company party? I’d love to join.
Notice how every one of the rewrites now has a strong statement or a question. There isn’t as much wishy-washy fluff. Sound confident in what you’re asking, and you’re more likely to get your desired response. Sugarcoating, dulling, or muting our convictions does nothing for communication.
Word #3: SORT OF (& KIND OF)
Have you noticed how many people say this in the news and on podcasts? You will now! It’s staggering. The “kind of/sort of” hedge is an ever-growing trend I’m hearing mainly in spoken word — even on high-profile news outlets. We like to cling to these words when our brain is still processing what we are saying in real-time. But these phrases also connote vagueness and ambiguity. They’re iffy and imprecise. Here are some examples of lines I’ve heard in the news recently.
“There’s a sort of grim feeling in the neighborhood where the attack occurred.”
“It’s kind of like he forgot he was speaking to the entire court.”
“I recently saw a sort of perfect example of how a community can rally around its people.”
“The candidates gave this kind of strange back-and-forth on air.”
In most of these cases, “kind of” and “sort of” are unnecessary. Not to say that things are or are not all the time, but consider if you need them in most formal (or even informal) writing and speaking. There’s likely a better and more direct way to get your point across.
Do any other filler words irk you? Email ideas to [email protected], and I will consider a follow-up article.
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Go brush up on Grammar Guru’s previous topics HERE!
