Have you ever been in a meeting or conversation where the speaker's message got lost because of the use of overly complicated vocabulary or incorrect grammar?
These messages can be difficult to listen to and it can be even harder to get the point. I sometimes refer to this as “speaking randomly” and it often leads to misunderstandings. Accurate vocabulary and correct grammar are the unsung heroes of clear, effective communication and can transform a good idea into a great one by making it clear, concise, and persuasive.
Vocabulary is the body of words available to build your message. The right words, used in the right order, can make your message strong and impactful. The right words may sometimes seem unexciting or bland, but if they accurately and explicitly describe what you are talking about, they are the right ones for the job.
Using vague words that don’t have a specific meaning weakens and muddies your message.There are hundreds of vague words but a few of my least favorite are “thing, stuff, bunches, it, them, those, these, few, lots, awful, nice, big, small, very, really, everything, anything…” And there are “lots” more!
Depending on your audience, using jargon, acronyms or overly complex words in your speech can alienate your listeners. For them, it's like trying to enjoy a good meal but having to sort through and discard unnecessary ingredients, and they may feel you are speaking down to them. Using vague or complex language forces listeners to waste energy deciphering your message. Clear, specific, and simple words let them focus on the substance of your ideas, not the struggle to understand them.
Grammar is the system and structure of a language, the framework that holds the words together. Imagine reading a book without punctuation—it would be a chaotic experience, right? Poor grammar works the same way. When your sentences are fragmented or disjointed your message can become hard to follow.
One of the most simple but important rules of English grammar is “SVO” or Subject, Verb, Object. It describes basic sentence structure in the active voice.
“Sam ate oranges.” is an example of SVO sentence structure. As English speakers, our brains are wired to listen for this sentence structure. If the sentence starts with some other word, like “so,” “and” or “but” OR if two sentences are hooked together with “and” that don’t relate to the same idea, our brains have to work harder to get the message.
When there are a lot of words in between the verb and the object (So, Sam ate freshly picked, from his aunt’s tree, delivered to his door yesterday, oranges), our brains have to work to sort out the words that are relevant.
Using accurate vocabulary and correct grammar help you to:
Be Clear: Choosing the right words and structuring sentences correctly ensures that your message is understood the way you intend.
Be Professional: Good grammar and a strong vocabulary reflect a polished, professional image.
Be Persuasive: carefully-chosen words put together in well-constructed sentences can create a compelling and persuasive message.
In my coaching, I work with leaders and professionals to improve how they express their ideas. By refining vocabulary and grammar, I help them communicate more clearly and persuasively in every conversation, meeting, or presentation.
Ready to sharpen your vocabulary and grammar for clearer, more persuasive communication? Let’s set up a discovery call to see how we can improve your messaging.
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