Eliminate Those Overused Expressions!

by Gilda Bonanno LLC www.gildabonanno.com

Is your communication full of cliches and tired old expressions? Frequently using phrases like "you know" and "see what I mean" can be just as distracting to your listeners as frequent "ums" and "ahs."

According to Jeremy Butterfield's book Damp Squid: The English Language Laid Bare, here are the 10 most overused expressions:

1. "At the end of the day"
2. "Fairly unique"
3. "I personally think"
4. "At this moment in time"
5. "With all due respect"
6. "Absolutely"
7. "It's a nightmare"
8. "Shouldn't of" (the correct phrase would be "shouldn't have")
9. "24/7"
10. "It's not rocket science" (I use this phrase a lot and am working on cutting it out)

Compile your own top 10 list of overused phrases and then replace them in your communication with more powerful and evocative words.