20 professional words to use to elevate your writing
Whether you’re writing an email, proposal, report, or presentation, you want to put your best foot, or in this case, your best words forward. Part of writing more professionally is simply upgrading your word choices.
Certain words in the English language sound more casual, and others give a more powerful impression. When you use power words in your writing, you can set yourself apart with more professional communication.
Here are 20 words or phrases to make your writing sound more professional.
Provide
Instead of saying give, you can use the word provide.
For example…
Don’t say: I will give you a copy of the data from last quarter’s report
Instead, say, I will provide you with the data from the previous quarter’s report.
Receive
Instead of saying get, you can use the word receive.
For example…
Don’t say: Did you get the package I sent via the pony last week?
Instead say: Did you receive the package I sent via the pony last week?
Attend
Instead of saying come, you can use the word attend.
For example…
Don’t say: I can’t attend Tuesday’s professional development session.
Instead say: I’m unable to attend Tuesday’s professional development session.
Assist
Instead of saying help, you can use the word assist.
For example…
Don’t say: Do you need me to help you with the upcoming project?
Instead say: Do you need me to assist you with the upcoming project?
Discuss
Instead of saying talk, you can use the word discuss.
For example…
Don’t say: Let’s schedule a time to discuss the issue.
Instead say: Let’s schedule a time to discuss the issue.
Certainly
Instead of saying yes, you can use the word certainly.
For example…
Don’t say: Yes, I agree with that idea.
Instead say: Certainly, I agree with that idea.
Modify
Instead of saying change, you can use the word modify.
For example…
Don’t say: We need to change the time of next week’s meeting.
Instead say: We need to modify the time of next week’s meeting.
In Conclusion
Instead of saying finally, you can use the phrase in conclusion.
For example…
Don’t say: Finally, remember that I will be out of the office next week.
Instead say: In conclusion, remember that I will be out of the office next week.
However
Instead of saying but, you can use the word, however.
For example…
Don’t say: That’s a great idea, but upper management must sign off.
Instead, say: That’s a great idea, in my opinion. However, upper management must sign off.
Moreover or furthermore
Instead of saying also, you can use the words moreover or furthermore.
For example…
Don’t say: Also, I found the report to include a compelling argument for plan B.
Instead say: Moreover, I found the report to include a compelling argument for plan B.
Or say: Furthermore, I found the report to include a compelling argument for Plan B.
Ramifications
Instead of saying consequences, you can use the word ramifications.
For example…
Don’t say: If this falls through, the consequences can be severe for all stakeholders.
Instead say: The ramifications can be severe for all stakeholders if this falls through.
Consensus
For example…
Instead of saying opinion, you can use the word consensus.
Don’t say: We are seeking the opinion of all involved in the new project.
Instead, say: We seek consensus from all involved in the new project.
For instance
Instead of saying like, you can use the phrase, for example.
For example…
Don’t say: I want you to incorporate video in the presentation —like a 5-minute summary of the latest report for ease of understanding.
Instead, say, I want you to incorporate video in the presentation. For instance, a 5-minute summary of the latest report for ease of understanding would work.
Straightforward
Instead of saying easy, you can say straightforward.
For example…
Don’t say: The directions for the next step are easy.
Instead say: The directions for the next step are straightforward.
Perspective
Instead of saying opinion, you can say perspective.
For example…
Don’t say: We are seeking the opinion of our accounting team before moving forward.
Instead say: We are seeking the perspective of our accounting team before moving forward.
Provided that
Instead of saying it for as long as you can, use the phrase provided.
For example…
Don’t say: I am open to that option if you have data to back up the decision.
Instead say: I am open to that option provided that you have data to back up the decision.
Elaborate
Instead of saying, “What do you mean?” you can ask someone to elaborate.
For example…
Don’t say: I’m unsure what you mean by that statement.
Instead say: Can you elaborate on that point?
Imagine
Instead of saying guess, you can say imagine.
For example:
Don’t say: I guess it’s time to test out a new hiring process.
Instead, I imagine it’s time to test a new hiring process.
Objective
Instead of saying goal, you can say objective.
For example:
Don’t say: Our goal is to double enrollment in the training.
Instead say: Our objective is to double enrollment in the training.
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