Video summary

SPEAK ENGLISH POWERFULLY: Stop using these TWO words!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons

  • To sound more powerful, confident, and fluent, stop using two weak/hedging words: “try” and “just.”
  • Replacing these with more direct phrasing makes your statements feel stronger, more certain, and more authoritative in personal, social, and professional contexts.
  • The video emphasizes that these changes improve both speaking and writing.

Method / transformation guide (detailed)

1) Stop using “try” (especially “try to”)

  • Avoid: “I’ll try to finish the report by Friday.” Use instead: “I’ll finish the report by Friday.”

  • Avoid: “Could you try to contact John?” Use instead: “Could you contact John?”

    • The second version is described as having more authority and sounding more confident.

  • Avoid: “We’ll try to be there on time.” Use instead: “We’ll be there on time.”

General rule: When you remove “try to,” you sound more confident, certain, and capable.

2) Stop using “just” (it can sound apologetic or inferior)

  • Avoid: “That’s just what I think.” Use instead: “That’s what I think.”

    • The “just” version is described as sounding like an apology or a lower-status speaker.

  • Avoid: “I’m just calling to check if you’re free.” Use instead: “I’m calling to check if you’re free.”

  • Avoid: “I’m just writing to confirm our meeting.” Use instead: “I’m writing to confirm our meeting.”

  • Avoid: “That’s just my opinion.” Use instead: “That’s my opinion.”

  • Avoid: “I just wanted to ask you a question.” Use instead: “I wanted to ask you a question.”

  • Avoid: “That’s just what I suggest.” Use instead: “That’s what I suggest.”

General rule: Removing “just” makes you sound stronger, more equal, and eliminates the sense that you’re asking permission to speak.

Practice section (speaker prompts you to repeat)

The video includes a quick exercise:

  • Read a sentence → listen → repeat it without “try”/“just.”

Examples:

  • “I’ll try to update you soon.” → “I’ll update you soon.”
  • “We’ll try to be more careful.” → “We’ll be more careful.”
  • “Could you try to help the client?” → “Could you help the client?”
  • “That’s just my opinion.” → “That’s my opinion.”
  • “I just wanted to ask you a question.” → “I wanted to ask you a question.”
  • “That’s just what I suggest.” → “That’s what I suggest.”

Speaker / sources

  • Speaker: Not explicitly named in the subtitles (presenter/coach for the “Speak English Powerfully” series).
  • Source/Series: “Speak English Powerfully” (YouTube video series).

Original video