• Indestructible PR® Online
  • Services
    • Speaker Request
    • 1:1 Consulting
    • Workshops | Crisis Communications
    • Patreon
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact
Purchase my Book
  • Indestructible PR® Online
  • Services
    • Speaker Request
    • 1:1 Consulting
    • Workshops | Crisis Communications
    • Patreon
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact
Purchase my Book

These are the 5 Words & Phrases to Remove from Your Emails Immediately

by molly | Feb 21, 2020 | Blog | 2 comments

Google email on laptop

February 21, 2020

Reading time: 4 minutes

These are the common words and phrases you want to check out before you hit send on your email.

Think about it for a moment – where do you do most of your communicating for your work and in life? 

  • In presentations? 
  • In one-on-one meetings? 
  • In the hallways? 

Chances are you that use email and text to communicate with your clients, colleagues, family, and friends; just about everyone communicates through the written word. 

If the average office working spends 2.5 hours a day reading and responding to an average of 200 emails, you need to write effective emails that get to the point – quickly.  

Have you noticed that while some people seem more confident in their business communications, while others make you want to scream at your computer screen, “Please get to the point already!?” 

Below are a few of those squishy, filler words people add to emails that make them sound weak. These are the namby-pamby words you want to remove from your emails immediately to turn weak writing into powerful writing.

I’m also adding 5 phrases you should consider chucking. These phrases are part of the problem as well.

Why the list?

My own writing inspired this post.

Ever since I started talking about filler words in my workshops (also in Episode 2 of the Confident Communications Podcast, How to Get a Handle on Filler Words in Your Vocabulary).

I knew I needed to walk the walk and talk the talk with my own use of filler words.

“So” and “right” be gone!

However, I noticed there was a holdover in my writing. I wasn’t writing the ‘ums’ and ‘uhs’ that littered many people’s speech. My problem was the ‘just’ and ‘I was wondering.’

Um, I'm not so sure about that
Filler words clutter speaking and writing.

Weak.

The polishing and paring emails down to get to the point quicker. 

Thus, this episode. As you compose emails and documents (and in the conversation too), remove these words and phrases from your vocabulary. They make you look weak.

These are the unnecessary words that can make your emails (or your texts and social media posts) appear weak. 

By eliminating these five words alone will help you become a confident writer, and ultimately, a communicator. 

Here are five words I have removed from my email to make them more concise and direct. 


1. Sorry

Example: Sorry to bother you.

Why you need to purge the word: Don’t apologize for anything; chances are you didn’t do anything wrong in the first place.

Now, of course, if it an apology letter, then by all means. I’ve noticed that not enough people are accountable for their actions, so write it if you mean it.

However, if you are writing the word as a hesitation to a question, then it’s weak. 

A word I have removed from my vocabulary entirely. Unless I am speaking to a Canadian. Sor-wee.

2. Just

Example: “I just wanted to check to see if you have received the proposal.”

Similar words are only and simply.

Why you need to purge the word: “‘Just’ downplays the importance of what you’re asking; implying the person doesn’t need to prioritize or doesn’t require the recipient’s attention.

3. Try

Example: “I’ll try to get the document to you by the end of the week”

Why you need to purge the word: You’re telling the person you are not organized enough to know when you will deliver or execute. Insert a specific time or date and stick with it. 

4. Think

Example: “I think you should …

Why you need to purge the word: You give the reader permission to dismiss what you’re about to write (or say for that matter). Removing the word ‘think’ adds confidence and conviction. 

5. ASAP

Example: “I need the article ASAP.”

Why you need to purge the word: If you need a task completed within a certain timeframe, then say it. ASAP is snappy and rude. If urgency is needed, then say so.

Giving a specific deadline is much more helpful than “as soon as possible” which can also cause stress for the person on the receiving end of your email.

How many of those words creep into your email? 

You too? That’s why I purged them. 

Now, onto the phrases.

Here are 5 phrases to remove from your emails immediately. 

The phrases that haze the meaning of your emails. 


1. Any variation of I am reaching out, I am forwarding, I am wondering. I am writing to you because, I am just touching base.

Get specific. Choose an imperative voice.

2. I hope you are well. That may be, but you already lost me.

The only time in my opinion that you can slip in the personal is the week after the holiday and New Year. Two weeks at most. Anything beyond this is pushing it. 

3. “Please do not hesitate to contact me.”

The cliche of cliches of email. So unoriginal and, perhaps, disingenuous? If you want them to contact you, tell them to do so. 

4. Similarly, – I thought I would reach out.

Too soft. You’re baby-stepping into your want. Be direct and clear will get you the reply you want.

5. How does your calendar look next week?

No one will want to be on it if you can’t get to the point quickly. 

Remember, stay powerful in your writing, but keep an eye on your grammatical construction.

The weakest emails are the ones filled with grammar and spelling mistakes. 

There you have it, the power list to remove weak writing from your emails.

Want to hear the list? Review your email while you listen to Episode 69 of the Confident Communications Podcast, The 5 Words and Phrases to Remove from Your Emails Immediately.

You’ll quickly hear the words you need to purge before you click send.

2 Comments

  1. Peg Vanover on February 25, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    Spot on. Was just about to use ASAP. ??

    • molly on March 12, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Fabulous feedback. Thank you.

Recent Posts

  • 242: Effective Crisis Communication: Analyzing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Apology Statement
  • 240: Between Spin and Wag the Dog: Uncovering the Dark Arts of PR and Perception Management
  • 239: Beating the Bullies: 5 Expert Tips For How Organizations Can Thwart Online Attacks
  • 238: The Art of Manufactured Outrage: How Celebrities and Brands Court Controversy for Buzz and Profit
  • 237: The Fallout: MillerKnoll and Clearlink’s Pitiful Employee Town Halls

Recent Comments

  • molly on 203: Beloved CTV Anchor Lisa LaFlamme’s Botched Firing by Bell Media
  • Gail on 203: Beloved CTV Anchor Lisa LaFlamme’s Botched Firing by Bell Media
  • Robert Burton on 177: Is it Okay to Post on Social Media During the Ukraine-Russia Conflict?
  • Robert Burton on 164: Alec Baldwin’s Sit-Down with ABC News: A Public Relations Post-Analysis with Jody Fisher
  • molly on 106: The Art of the Great Media Interview with Warren Weeks

Archives

  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • October 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015

Categories

  • Blog
  • Blogging
  • Bonus Podcast
  • Breaking News
  • Broadcasts
  • Communicate With Confidence
  • Connecting Generations
  • crisis management
  • Digital Death Spiral
  • How To
  • online reputation management
  • Podcast
  • politics
  • postables
  • social media for c-levels
  • social media pro tips
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2022 Molly McPherson. All Rights Reserved.

About

Contact

FAQ

Newsletter Subscribe

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!