Natural English: What to Stop Saying

When you first start learning English, textbooks often give you formulaic answers that feel safe, predictable, and polite. However, relying on these rigid scripts can make your daily conversations sound stiff or even outdated. Today, we are going to look at several common phrases you should consider retiring from your speaking routine, alongside vibrant, natural alternatives that native speakers use every day.

Stop Saying: "I'm fine, thank you. And you?"

Almost every English learner memorizes this exact sentence in their very first lesson. While there is nothing grammatically incorrect about it, real conversations rarely follow this script. When an English speaker asks, "How are you?" or "How's it going?", responding with a robotic recitation feels distant.

Instead, match the warmth of the greeting with these dynamic options:

• "I'm doing well, thanks! How about you?" — Friendly, polite, and great for both casual and semi-formal settings.
• "Can't complain! How are things with you?" — A relaxed, natural idiom that signals everything is going smoothly.
• "Pretty good! How's your week going?" — An open-ended response that keeps the conversation moving forward.
• "A bit busy, but hanging in there!" — Honest, relatable, and authentic when your schedule is hectic.

Stop Overusing: "Very"

Using the intensifier very is not a mistake, but relying on it repeatedly flattens your vocabulary. Saying very tired, very hungry, and very cold misses an opportunity to express nuance and emotion. Enhancing your speech with stronger adjectives instantly makes you sound more articulate.

Here are classic pairings you can swap immediately:

• Instead of very tired, use exhausted: "After working twelve hours, she was absolutely exhausted."
• Instead of very cold, use freezing: "Grab your heavy coat before leaving; it's freezing outside."
• Instead of very hungry, use starving or famished: "Let's order dinner right away—I am starving!"
• Instead of very clean, use spotless: "They spent all morning cleaning, and now the kitchen is spotless."
• Instead of very angry, use furious: "He was furious when he realized his flight had been cancelled without notice."

Stop Saying: "I understand"

In textbooks, students learn to say "I understand" whenever a teacher explains a rule. In spontaneous conversation, however, constantly repeating "I understand" can sound overly serious, formal, or even slightly dismissive. Native speakers use a range of conversational markers to show they are actively listening.

Try using these alternatives instead:

• "I see what you mean." — Shows that you grasp their viewpoint or perspective.
• "Got it!" — Short, informal, and ideal when receiving instructions or quick directions.
• "That makes total sense." — Reassures the speaker that their explanation is clear and logical.
• "Fair enough." — Useful when someone offers a reasonable compromise or explanation you agree to accept.

Stop Saying: Direct Commands Like "Give Me..."

Directly translating requests from your native language into English can sometimes sound blunt or demanding. Phrases like "Give me that menu" or "Tell me the price" may be intended innocently, but English relies heavily on softeners to sound courteous.

Turn blunt commands into polite requests using modal verbs:

• Instead of "Give me a coffee," say: "Could I please get an oat latte?"
• Instead of "Repeat that," say: "Would you mind repeating that last sentence?"
• Instead of "Wait for me," say: "Could you give me just one moment, please?"
• Instead of "Explain this," say: "Could you walk me through this concept real quick?"

Common mistakes

• Translating word-for-word from your native tongue: What sounds polite in your language might come across as abrupt or unnatural in English. Focus on learning phrases as complete blocks.
• Using extreme slang in professional environments: While you want to move away from stiff textbook phrases, avoid swinging too far toward casual slang. Saying "What's up, boss?" in a formal job interview can hurt your first impression.
• Stacking intensifiers: Avoid saying things like "very exhausted" or "very freezing." Strong adjectives already contain the meaning of "very," so pair them with absolutely or completely instead.

Practice it today

Solidify what you have learned by trying these three quick challenges right now:

1. The Adjective Upgrade: Write three sentences describing your day using strong adjectives instead of "very" (e.g., replace very happy with thrilled).
2. The Polite Request: Imagine you are at a hotel reception desk. Write down how you would politely ask the receptionist for extra towels without using the word "give."
3. Active Listening: The next time a colleague, friend, or study partner explains something to you in English, respond with "That makes sense!" or "Got it!" instead of "I understand."