7 Terms to Replace with Confident Words in Your Emails

Both business and consumer emails sent and received worldwide in a single day now exceed 306 billion, and continuing to grow. With this medium remaining the most extensive form of communication, using confident words to conduct yourself via email in the workplace is of high importance.
From learning how to write work emails, effectively manage your emails and crafting the perfect post-interview email when applying for new jobs, there a many tips and tricks to help you connect efficiently and professionally. One of the most commons fears regarding written communication is the absence of other social queues (such as body language and audible tone) that help us convey our message. Especially in a work-setting, we worry that our emails might come across the wrong way: whether that is overly cold and demanding or leaning too much towards the casual and unprofessional.
For this reason, investing in your on-screen language is a vital skill that can help you navigate through your daily tasks, and boost your future career options. To achieve our ideal email persona we all want to ensure that we are perceived as both confident and competent. While your first instinct may be to write as you would naturally speak, we've identified seven simple words that could be making you sound less confident in your emails and therefore limited your success at getting the outcome you want.
Let's explore how to write work emails by replacing these terms with confident words:
1. "Just"
Opening an email with the word 'just' downplays the importance of everything else that is included in the email by implying that your request does not need to be prioritised. 'Just' is a small word that implies that something is minor, unimportant or non-urgent. Remember, that your recipient (like you) is reading many emails a day, on top of the other tasks they need to get done. When they read 'just' in your email, it's likely that they’ll immediately put it to the bottom of their to-do list, and you’ll be left waiting on information that you need.
- For example: "I just want to check if you have any feedback on the proposal I sent over."
- Instead say: "Do you have feedback on the proposal? I need it by the end of the day."
- Similar words to avoid: only, simply
2. "Probably"
'Probably' implies that you are uncertain about something. Of course, no one knows all the answers all the time and you should aspire to be in a work environment that encourages asking for help when you need it. However, when it comes to sticking to important deadlines, if you don't think it's going to happen, then give a more realistic alternative. Your colleagues and superiors will respect you more for being honest rather than vague, so that they can adjust their expectations and priorities accordingly.
- For example: "I can probably send the website copy to you by noon."
- Instead say: "I won’t be able to send the website copy to you by noon as I’m working on the press release. I will send it to you at the end of the day."
- Similar words to avoid: perhaps, hopefully, ideally, maybe, possible, should
3. "Try"
Using the word 'try' immediately says to people that you are not confident in your abilities. Again, not being perfect isn't a crime, but if you're unsure about whether you are able to complete a task then be upfront about it and ask for help or guidance. It's never a bad thing to ask questions or for advice and can even show that you have an analytical and curious mind, which are soft skills that can set you in good stead for promotions.
- For example: "I’ll try to update the budget"
- Instead say: "I will update the budget, but I have a few questions. Do you have five minutes to meet before I start?"
- Similar words to avoid: attempt
4. "Think"
When you use the word 'think', it allows people to dismiss what you’re about to say. There should be room for everyone's opinions at work, but in a professional setting, basing them on empirical evidence and experience is more likely to indicate their legitimacy to others and persuade them to take your idea on board. Use confident words to stand by the strength of your opinions and recommendations and don't allow others to doubt what you say so easily. Especially if you are after leadership responsibilities now or in the future, showing confidence when making suggestions is key.
- For example: "I think we should check the research."
- Instead say: "Let’s check the research"
- Similar words and phrases to avoid: in my opinion, personally, I’m not but, I feel like
5. "Whatever"
'Whatever' sounds very dismissive and implies that you're not concerned about being accurate. Both of which will make your colleagues and clients question your professionalism. Although we all have a million things on our mind each day, including multiple clients and tasks to juggle, it's important to maintain familiarity with everyone's needs and show equal commitment to all. In addition, when discussing actions and solutions, you should do you best to communicate specificity so that there is transparency for your team.
- For example: "I saw the client’s email about whatever. I’ll offer them a discount or whatever.'
- Instead say: "I saw the client’s email about the costings. I’ll offer them a discount on the amount we’ve proposed."
- Similar words and phrases to avoid: something, whatnot
6. "Maybe"
'Maybe' makes you sound quite ambivalent and apprehensive about what you're about to say. Words like this are the exact opposite of confident words. It shows a lack of commitment either of action or conviction. Like 'probably' and 'try', using 'maybe' inhibits others' ability to adjust their plans in line with the affect of your work. Overall this makes everyone less efficient. No one will be certain if you are actually going to follow through or not and so cannot set expectations, preparation and follow-up procedures.
- For example: "Maybe I should set up a meeting with Sarah."
- Instead say: "I will set up a meeting Sarah."
- Similar words and phrases to avoid: I guess, perhaps
7. "Sorry"
In the workplace, most of the time, 'sorry' is a completely unnecessary word and diminishes the value of your voice. While it shows good character to own any mistakes and take professional accountability, it's best to present solutions rather than spend time apologising without action. For situations where you can't fill the request of a colleague or client through no fault of your own, don't apologise for having other priorities, instead always make statements or ask for what you need.
- For example: "I’m sorry, but I have a meeting at 10am. Could 11.30am work?"
- Instead say: "I have a meeting at 10am. Can you do 11.30am?"
- Similar words to avoid: apologies
Find Your Next Job on Monster and Use Confident Words to Apply
Want to put your new-found confident words to the test in a new challenge? Sign up for a free Monster profile, and land your ideal job with a persuasive CV and cover letter. Remember to set up custom alerts to receive new job ads in your email inbox. You can save applications until you’re ready to hit send, and even be found online through our recruiters database.