Words at Work & Raises	
Words at Work & Raises (page 1 of 2)	
At work, the words you use in talking, texts, emails, on the phone, and 
in meetings can help you earn 
raises and promotions to leadership jobs such as supervisor or manager.  
Leaders in the work world eliminate "weak" words and replace with "posit
ive" 
words.  Workers who use positive words can create their image (picture) as a 
future leader.  Here are some suggestions on how you can change your words to 
create your image as a future leader.
WEAK WORD — BUT
Creates a negative twist to your talking
#1	 I	will	help	you	find	a	blue	shirt,	 but I need to 
finish	this	customer	first.
#2  This new phone has a long-lasting battery, but 
the phone will not be in stock until March.
#3  We want our customers to be happy, but we   
cannot please everyone.
Positive word to replace BUT --
•  I	will	help	you	find	a	blue	shirt	after	I	finish	
with this customer.
•  This new phone has a long-lasting battery, and 
it will be available in March.
•  We want our customers to be happy, 
so we try to please everyone. 
WEAK WORD — FINE 
Used to cover up or brush someone off
#4  How are you today?  I’m  fine.
#5  Will the project be complete?  It’s doing fine.
Positive words to replace FINE --
•  How are you today? Very well, thank you.
•  Will the project be complete?  The project is on 
time.  If there is a problem, I will let you know.
WEAK WORD — TRY 
May indicate failure
#6 I’ll  try	to	get	the	project	finished	by	Friday.
#7 I’ll  try to	find	these	shoes	in	size	12	for	yo
Positive words to replace TRY --
•  I	will	get	the	project	finished	by	Friday.	If	there	
is problem, I will text you.
•  I will go to the stockroom to look for these 
shoes	in	size	12	for	you. WEAK WORD — JUST 
#8 I  just have to change the tape in the register.
#9 I  just came	over	to	see	if	you	are	finding	the		 	
correct	size.
#10 I  just went to Starbucks to use the internet.
Positive words to replace JUST --
•  I need to change the tape in the cash register.
•  Are	you	finding	the	correct	size?
•  I went to Starbucks to use the internet.
WEAK WORD — PROBABLY
Creates uncertainty
#11 I  probably can get that job done by noon.
#12  Phone battery will  probably last 24 hours.
#13	 The	shirt	size	you	need	will	 probably arrive    
in tomorrow’s shipment
Positive words to replace PROBABLY --
•  I expect to get that job done by noon.
•  Phone battery is expected to last 24 hours.
•  Shirt	size	you	need	is	scheduled	to	arrive	in	
tomorrow’s shipment.
WEAK WORD — WHATEVER 
Sounds inaccurate
#14  We can give a discount or  whatever.
#15 Whatever	you	decide	is	fine.
#16  Can you order cake or  whatever?
Positive words to replace WHATEVER -- 
•  We can give all the 
customers a discount.
•  Please let me know 
what you decide.
•  Can you order a cake 
for the birthday party?	
Stop saying
YOU KNOW

College & Career Publishing.  Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Words at Work & Raises (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1. At work, what can your words help you earn?
2.  a) What do leaders eliminate?  b) What do they 
replace with?  c) What can workers who use 
positive words create?
3.  What twist to your talking does the word BUT 
create?  
4.  List the word that replaced the word BUT in:  
  a) #1 sentence.  b) #2 sentence.  c) #3 sentence.
5.	 a)	 What	is	the	word	FINE	used	to	do?		
	 b)	Instead	of	FINE,	what	words	can	you	use	to	 answer the question:  How are you today?
6.  a) What may the word TRY indicate?  b) Give 
example of a better way to say:  I'll try to find 
these shoes in size 12 for you.
7.  a) Give example of a better way to say:  a)  I just 
wanted to see if you were finding the correct 
size.   
b) I just went to Starbucks.
8.  a) What does the word PROBABLY create?  
  b) Give an example of a better way to say:  I 
probably can get that job done by noon.
9.	 a)	How	does	the	word	 WHATEVER	sound?		
  b) Do you agree or disagree?  c) Give a reason 
for your opinion.
10.	 What	do	you	need	to	STOP 	SAYING	at	work?
11.  a) What does BASICALLY add?  
  b) Give an example of a better way to say:  What 
I basically want you to do is to clean the 
WEAK WORD — BASICALLY 
Useless word that adds nothing
#17  What I  basically want you to do is to clean the 
customer dining area.
#18 Basically , our store offers two color choices in 
smart phones.
#19  The project is  basically on time.
Positive words to replace BASICALLY --
•  I want you to clean the customer dining area.
•  There are 2 choice 
in smart phones — 
black or gold case.
•  The project is on 
schedule. I will text 
you if there are any problems. WEAK WORD — LIKE 
Most hated word when used wrong
#20  He was like, "Where are you going?"
#21  Are you, like happy with your new TV?
#22 Like, you'll need about 3 batteries with this  model truck..
Positive words to replace LIKE --
•  He asked Jason, "Where are you going?"
•  Are you happy with your new TV?
•  You'll need 3 AA batteries with this model truck.
Examples of  how to use LIKE correctly:
•  I	like	the	 Amazon	Echo.	
	 (YOU	ENJOY 	SOMETHING)
•  Amazon	Echo	is	like	Google	Home.
	 (YOU	COMPARE	 THINGS)
  customer dining area.
12.  a) What is the most hated word when used 
  incorrectly?  b) Why do you think supervisors 
dislike	workers	using	LIKE	incorrectly?
13.  Change the following weak sentences into 
  positive sentences:
  a) We serve regular fries,  but we sell sweet 
  potato fries also.
  b) Is the hot chocolate  fine?
  c) I'll try to get the cook to add extra onions to 
your burger.
  d) If you would just try on the red sweater, you 
may like it.
  e) The pink shirt  probably looks perfect under 
the red sweater.
  f) You can use the black sandals, or  whatever, 
with that dress.
	 g)	I	think	that	outfit	is	 basically perfect for the 
job interview.
14.  a) Do you think it will be hard for you to 
  stop using weak words and start using positive 
words at work?  
  b) Give a reason for your answer.
For	fun:	Listen	to	how	workers	talk	when	you	are	 at school or shopping.  Can you spot workers 
who are using weak words — and workers who 
are using positive words that may earn raises or 
promotions for that worker?