If You Say These 11 Phrases On A Regular Basis, You Likely Seem Uneducated No Matter How Smart You Are
Luis Molinero | ShutterstockWhile people who make their voices heard and speak more are often deemed “leaders” in all social situations, the words and phrases a person chooses can be indicative of their competency and intelligence on a deeper level. How people perceive you is often based on how you present yourself and the way you speak, but word choice and certain phrases can feel vague and misleading.
So, if you say certain phrases on a regular basis, you likely seem uneducated no matter how smart you are. From making people feel excluded in conversations to relying on vague corporate phrases that don’t actually mean anything, you might be making yourself look less intelligent by being careless with your words.
If you say these 11 phrases on a regular basis, you likely seem uneducated no matter how smart you are
1. ‘It’s like...’
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Filler words are often an inevitable part of our daily conversations, but when overused, they can make someone seem uneducated. As a study from Advances in Physiology Education found, these filler words can also make someone seem less credible in professional spaces.
In some cases, filler words like “um” can be a sign of cognitive decline, but in most cases, it’s a signal that someone needs more space to gather their thoughts and speak intentionally. So, if you’re using “like” and “um” more often, you may be hurting your cognitive ability, but also negatively impacting your credibility and perceptions in conversations.
2. ‘I’m not an expert, but...’
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Even in situations where you do know more than the average person and have a level of intelligence to share information, if you’re “self-handicapping” by using a phrase like this, you’re sabotaging people’s perceptions of you. We’re attracted to and trusting in people who are confident in themselves, and if you’re always second-guessing your intelligence, other people will too.
Instead of trying to protect yourself from saying something wrong, speak confidently. Swap “I’m not an expert” with something like “I’m open to feedback,” so when you’re speaking, people aren’t immediately pushed into a mentality of doubt.
3. ‘I don’t know’
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The context of a phrase like “I don’t know” is important. Intelligent people aren’t afraid to admit they don’t know something, make mistakes, or reap all the benefits of asking for help. But the difference between them and an uneducated counterpart is that they follow up to seek out the answer or help someone solve a problem.
If you’re only saying “I don’t know” without taking any extra steps to solve a problem or point someone in the right direction, chances are you’re being perceived as more uneducated than you really are.
4. ‘It is what it is’
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Intelligent people often have a deeper sense of problem-solving and critical thinking skills, but when they opt for passive phrases like “it is what it is,” they’re not exercising their competency in the ways they could. An uneducated, ignorant person simply accepts issues for what they are and remains impassive in their lives. An intelligent person does the opposite.
They are curious about things they don’t understand and are deep, complex thinkers when it comes to solving issues. They don’t simply accept things to protect their own comfort and convenience by using a phrase like “it is what it is,” they take action and make changes.
5. ‘That makes no sense’
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While very smart people can often be pessimistic and easily misunderstood, most are relatively open to empathy and understanding. They want to solve problems and help people, even if it’s not always convenient.
However, if you’re choosing cruel phrases like “that makes no sense” to avoid “wasting” energy or to protect your own sense of superiority, there’s a chance you’re making yourself look more uneducated. The least smart people rely on overconfidence to craft their misleading social image. The most intelligent people actually make an effort to help, support, and make others feel heard.
6. ‘I’m just being honest’
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A truly intentional, intelligent person doesn’t make jokes at other people’s expense or avoid taking accountability with a phrase like “I’m just being honest.” If they hurt someone, whether it was intentional or not, they’re not afraid to say “I’m sorry.”
The way you make other people feel often plays directly into how intelligent and competent they perceive you to be. If you’re making them feel worse about themselves without acknowledging it, chances are you’re coming across as more uneducated than you really are.
7. ‘That never happens’
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Many people who are truly educated and intelligent have an innate sense of openness. They don’t use extremes like “always” or “never,” because they understand that not everything exists on a binary of right and wrong. Nothing is ever “black” and “white,” especially for intelligent people who are deep thinkers and challengers by nature.
So, if you find yourself defensively using phrases like “that never happens,” there’s a chance you’re sabotaging how intelligent you seem to others by trying to protect your own ego or sense of self-worth.
8. ‘I don’t have time for this’
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While setting boundaries with others is essential to managing and protecting personal energy, if someone regularly uses a phrase like “I don’t have time for this” because they’re distracted or uninterested, they may be sabotaging their social perception.
According to a study from Current Biology, truly intelligent people are less swayed and susceptible to being distracted, which is part of the reason why they’re often observant, active listeners. They make people feel seen and heard, even if it’s just for a few short moments, like asking a question.
So, if you find yourself interrupting people or using a phrase like this to manage your own comfort in the heat of the moment, you likely seem less smart to others, regardless of how intelligent you are.
9. ‘Sorry, but...’
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According to clinical psychologist Greg Chasson, over-apologizing when it’s entirely unnecessary can often place an emotional burden on others to reassure. So, even if phrases like “Sorry, but...” or “I’m sorry I said anything” are coming from a place of internal insecurity, they’re often simultaneously making everyone else feel uncomfortable and less trusting in your competence.
We perceive confident, self-assured people to be more intelligent, so if you’re sabotaging the work you’ve done to be educated with insecurity, you’re putting yourself steps behind others consistently “faking” it.
10. ‘You know what I mean?’
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Instead of speaking with a sense of confidence and being assured in your responses, if you’re using a question like “You know what I mean?” you’re sabotaging someone else’s trust. They feel pressured to confirm that you’re right, and often feel like you’re less confident in your own answer by asking someone else for reassurance or approval.
So, if you’re looking for confirmation that someone understands you, swap out this question for a phrase like, “Let me know if you have any questions.” They have room to speak, without having to affirm your answer in the presence of doubt.
11. ‘Whatever’
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Intelligent people might be misunderstood for many things, but they’re rarely passive. In fact, they’re usually the opposite, diving deeper into things they don’t understand and offering help when they can.
So, if you get caught up in stress and frustration at work or home, and start using phrases like “whatever” that make other people feel like an inconvenience, of course they’re going to underestimate your intelligence.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
