Comments on: 7 phrases people use to keep from sounding as certain as they feel.

By: James

James — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:21:01 +0000

Pretty sure I’ve heard some people ACTUALLY say that all in a row before getting to their “point”.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:10:03 +0000

Almost every time I post here, I start some paragraph with “it seems to me”….and then get rid of it. Good exercise. Got something to say–go ahead and say it!

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Posts that may potentially knock your socks off! | explode, ideas, explode — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:18:13 +0000

[...] Briscoe on his struggle with being the best… best video I’ve seen in a long, long time. Abraham Piper on 7 ways that people dull the intensity of how they really feel Miscommunication begins with the communicator Justin Wise has the weirdest post of the week… [...]

By: Connie J.

Connie J. — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:57:45 +0000

+ I think these can help on sound a bit humble, too. As in, I’m not going to declare that my little opinion is completely correct, but I still want to state it.

+Kenneth Maresco at Covenant Life said often during Alpha “I submit that…” when asserting Gospel truth. Though we believe the truth is absolute, I find that “submitting” it is charitable and gives the listener an opportunity to consider it instead of telling him how it is.

+Actors, Artists and Movie directors often take this to an extreme by stating “it’s kind of…” Watch the making-of segments on any DVDs and you’ll hear the actors and directors use some form of this phrase

By: Garrett Wishall

Garrett Wishall — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:25:26 +0000

If you are Mark Dever, the phrase is, “Brother…

By: James

James — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:15:20 +0000

One “sermon technique” that has always bugged me is: “I would suggest to you that…”

Not just “I suggest”…. but passive too!

My pastor uses this frequently… I guess it’s just one of his things…

By: Charles Jannace

Charles Jannace — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:37:10 +0000

…and one the best responses to a question people use to keep from sounding as certain as they feel: “Not really”.

By: Keri Rosen

Keri Rosen — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:51:23 +0000

I’m with Abigail on this. When I was little, my father told me I had to say “in my opinion” or “I think” because otherwise I came off as arrogant. To be honest, I still don’t like saying them, but I do it because it works.

By: Danny Lucas

Danny Lucas — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:12:16 +0000

With respect to the above captioned matter,
How can 22 Words…….
allow 23 Comments?…….
uh, Before me?
Truly, a miscarriage of justice.

Maybe it is time to base tomorrow’s post on today’s total comments. Hence, tomorrow is at LEAST “24 Words”, so far.
Of course, a day without comments could be the demise of the blog.

As Gilda Radner used to say on Saturday Night Live with her character, Emily Littela:
“Never mind”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FnpaWQJO0&feature=related

By: paulthinkingoutloud

paulthinkingoutloud — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:24:44 +0000

On the one hand, I’m very certain about things I assert. On the other hand, there’s always two sides to every story.

(a 22-word reply!)

By: Elizabeth Esther

Elizabeth Esther — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:42:18 +0000

I agree with Jesse. Sort of. To my mind, writing an essay requires more formality. But on comment threads, twitters, facebook, blogs, IMs and texts–these little phrases DO grease the conversational gears of “typed conversation” and help keep things friendly.

Know what I mean? :)

By: Jesse Hines

Jesse Hines — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:37:29 +0000

These phrases make for terrible writing, but are often vital in speech.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:07:04 +0000

Our high school English teacher taught us to never say, “In my opinion.”

In his words, “If it wasn’t your opinion, you wouldn’t be saying it.”

By: Amanda Beattie

Amanda Beattie — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:49:22 +0000

I guess that what I’m saying is, it seems to me that I am (in my opinion) one of the biggest culprits of this. :}

By: Kellie

Kellie — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:39:06 +0000

I often say I mean before I’m going to say something I think someone might disagree with or not want to hear. I don’t puposely do it- it’s a bad habit that I wish I didn’t do.

By: Michelle- This One's for the Girls

Michelle- This One's for the Girls — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:58:56 +0000

“I was thinking…”

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:51:12 +0000

should you use such social tempering when speaking absolute truth even if the other party may not believe it?

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:34:17 +0000

One of the less natural ones I’ve heard is
“I would submit …”
And I think it’s funny how most everyone used these in their posts. :-)

By: Rusty

Rusty — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:48:41 +0000

Actually, most things people are “certain” of are really just our best guesses. So if you are not stating a fact, such as 2 + 2 = 4, then you probably should begin all of your theological comments with one of those precursors. To present your doctrinal belief as a fact would be quite arrogant, although many people do just that.

By: carissa

carissa — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:25:26 +0000

there’s also “i feel like . . .” when you know perfectly well that what you’re saying is fact, not feeling. (as in, “actually, i feel like albany is the capital of new york.”)

it’s a polite way to contradict someone, but for some reason, it drives me crazy. (especially when i find myself saying it.)

By: ED...

ED... — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:16:08 +0000

Gears do need grease. Or oil. Or lubricant of some sort.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:57:23 +0000

“Well…”

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:36:54 +0000

In sales we call it greasing the skids.

By: Bethany

Bethany — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:25:38 +0000

“Don’t you think that…”

By: Deets Johnson

Deets Johnson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:23:40 +0000

You might add,

“What if…?”
“Is it possible…?”

And a slew of questions that lead to another angle.

All are useful.