Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

Add power and persuasion to your books, articles, and one-sheets

  • Home
  • Editing
  • WordShops™
  • Word Trippers
  • Products
  • Praise
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • About

Is your writing pompous?

January 6, 2020 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

You can sound knowledgeable without sounding pompous... Here's how

 

You can sound knowledgeable without sounding pompous...here’s how.

There’s a fine line in communication – whether it’s in a non-fiction book or email at work – between sounding knowledgeable and sounding pompous.

Have you crossed that line? There are some common phrases to avoid if you don’t want to come across as arrogant or condescending.

It’s important that you temper your language when writing. You don’t have the benefit of voice intonation, hand gestures, emotions…all the things that impact a face-to-face encounter with your audience. 

If you give off the wrong signals in person, you have an immediate opportunity to correct your misstep.

That can’t be said of your writing. Once you’ve pressed “Send”, mailed the letter, circulated the memo or published the book, your opportunity to explain your intent has passed.

You don’t want to set a tone that can be misconstrued if you’re not there to explain what you meant.

There are several phrases you can avoid – they pad your writing with extra words but don’t add any meaning to your message.

Here are 12 phrases to avoid that will save you from sounding pompous:

  1. Not to mention… Okay, then don’t mention it.
  2. It goes without saying… Right, then don’t say it.
  3. If I may say so… Well, since you’re the author, of course, you can say so.
  4. I believe that… Now the reader wonders if your message is based in facts.
  5. In my humble opinion… An automatic signal that you’re not feeling humble.
  6. To tell the truth… Implies you’ve lied to your reader in the past. 
  7. To be honest with you… Again, a suggestion that you’ve been dishonest.
  8. For the record… If you’re not under oath you don’t need this qualifier.
  9. Let me be perfectly clear… Usually followed by complete bafflegab.
  10. This may sound stupid but… Check yourself, the rest of that sentence probably sounds stupid.
  11. With all due respect… The prelude to an insult, no respect implied or taken.
  12. In other words… The worst culprit. Just use the right words the first time.

Take these pompous-sounding “fillers” out of your writing to avoid confusion and gain clarity in your writing. This is particularly helpful in business communication, approach your reader assuming they’re pressed for time. They need information, not prose or poetry.

Are there other “filler phrases” that make writing sound pompous? Share them in the comments section below or send them along and I’ll add them to the list.

If you’d like help honing your writing skills, feel free to contact me.

Did you find this article helpful? Here are three others you’ll enjoy:

Why Use Active Verbs Instead of Passive?

Mixing Singular with Plural: Keep the Old Rules with Some New Tricks

Better Word Choices for Better Writing

This article was originally published on September 22nd, 2016, and has been updated. 

Filed Under: Business Writing Tagged With: #LearnEnglish, #words, #writing #ESL, arrogant writing, better writing, cliches, ESL, idioms, in other words, nonfiction book editor, pompous words, pompous writing, professional book editing, write with clarity, writing

Don’t Let the Wrong Words Step on Your Success

November 8, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

Words make it possible to say what you mean in writing. But they can step on your success, too.

In your communications, what happens if you use the wrong word in the wrong way—such as ending that important message “with my complements” instead “with my compliments”?

Definitely, you risk raising doubt in the minds of those you want to impress.

Don’t Get Egg on Your Face

You risk embarrassment and a lot more. You can:

  • Cause confusion, even delays, by sending unclear messages
  • Waste precious time revising and rewriting to clarify your meaning
  • Smudge your reputation among co-workers, colleagues, and customers who wonder, “Does she know the difference between ‘compliments’ and ‘complements’—really?”

When pesky pairings (is it “adopt” or “adapt”?) trip you up, you need to know!

Word Trippers Example

Adopt, adapt – “Adopt” means to take as one’s own (e.g., someone else’s child), to choose (e.g., a lifestyle), or to formally accept (e.g., a position or principle). “Adapt” is to adjust to various conditions. “When you adopt a young girl, make it easy for her to adapt to your living environment.”

Turn to Your Ultimate Source for Choosing the Perfect Word When It Really Matters!

Yes, you can find lots of free resources online. But why spend your precious time when you can have a word choice guide at your fingertips—instantly?

No drawn-out searches or wild goose chases. You expedite your time and avoid unknowing mistakes with a subscription to Word Trippers Tips.

Bring a reliable resource into your in-box every week

By knowing the right word to use in the right place, your professionalism moves up a notch. And by receiving a new Word Tripper each week, you can isolate the latest and learn it well.

With Word Trippers Tips, you’ll get a Word Tripper of the Week (text plus graphic plus audio) in your in-box every week for a full year. Plus the minute you register for Word Trippers Tips, you’ll receive an ebook compilation of 390+ Word Trippers.

Plus once a quarter, you’ll receive practical bonuses—tools to improve your punctuation, grammar, and word use—plus a webinar and crossword puzzle.

Make sure you know it’s the right word!

American English language resource

Filed Under: Compelling Special Tagged With: #words, Barbara McNichol, embarrassing, ESL, grammar, nonfiction book editing, professional business book editor, punctuation, word choice guideiness book editor, Word Trippers, Word Trippers Tips, word use

How Can You Quickly Find the Right Word When It Matters Most?

August 9, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

By Barbara McNichol

Imagine having a resource at your fingertips that allows you to quickly find the right word when it matters most. Then imagine refreshing your knowledge every week so you can confidently use confusing English words correctly.

As a professional, you know people pay attention to your ability to communicate accurately. Others rely on you for that! But having the right word at your fingertips hasn’t always been easy—until now.

Here’s a solution that enhances your excellence every day (not everyday). American English language resource

Your Word Trippers Tips subscription offers:

  • An ebook featuring 390+ pesky pairings of words that can trip you up (except vs. accept, advise vs. advice, further vs. farther, to name a few)
  • A Word Tripper of the Week arriving in your in-box for 52 weeks (see sample on this page) and includes audio
  • Bonus PDFs on grammar and punctuation tips every quarter
  • Surprise bonuses on better writing along the way!

Sample of Word Tripper of the Week

ongoing word resource

Word Tripper of the Week

Build Credibility, Confidence, Competence in the Nuances of English

Finding the right word to use that matters most—

  • Allows you to be seen as a credible professional
  • Ensures you’re using the right word properly—a confidence builder
  • Boosts your reputation for competence and excellence in your world

Your Word Tripper of the Week hones your knowledge and keeps the learning alive. And its usefulness has been time-tested for more than a decade.

How Did Word Trippers Tips Come About?

As an expert editor of nonfiction books and articles, I’ve been on a crusade to curb the misuse of words through Word Trippers. I keep creating Word Tripper of the Week because I know we’ll never run out of words that trip us up.

To get a better grasp of the English language with ease, invest in Word Trippers Tips—only $99/year.

Questions? Click here for FAQs.

“You can easily find the words, all listed in alphabetical order, without digging through heavy tomes or clicking around the Web for hours. Choosing the right word for the right circumstance can make all the difference in presenting yourself as a credible writer. Barbara has made it easy with this easy to use reference tool.” – Janie Sullivan

Filed Under: Compelling Special Tagged With: #business book editing, American English learning, ESL, find the right word, language learning, nonfiction book editing, ongoing word resource, Word Trippers Tips

Contact an Editing Pro

Add Power to Your Pen and Authorship to Your Name

Email Barbara »

Call 520-615-7910

Book editing info »

Word Trippers Tips

American English language resource

Find the perfect word every time—a new Word Tripper every week!

Get Word Trippers Tips »

Blog Categories

  • Article Writing
  • BME in the News
  • Book Reading
  • Book Writing
  • Business Writing
  • Compelling Special
  • Editors and Authors
  • Grammar Tips
  • Speed Reading
  • Uncategorized
  • Word Tripper
  • Writing Tips
  • Writing Workshops

From Our Blog

No More Boring Expressions!

Source: www.grammarcheck.net … Read more »

View all blog posts »

Quick Links

  • Editing Services
  • WordShops™
  • Testimonials
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Word Trippers

Barbara McNichol Editorial
5090 N. Camino de la Cumbre
Tucson, AZ 85750

Phone: 520-615-7910

Email us »

Copyright © 2022 · Barbara McNichol Editorial · Website by Connexins