Stop Using the Same Words when Speaking English

Many learners use the same, old words and phrases over and over again when speaking English. Do you often use words like “happy”, “good” or “delicious” to describe everyday things? And if someone asks you, “How are you?”, do you usually say, “I’m fine, thanks”?

This post will show you how to stop repeating the same old vocabulary and start using different English expressions, instead.

How to start using new English words and phrases when speaking

To stop repeating the same vocabulary, first understand that there are often many ways to say the same thing in English. You can find new ways to express ideas with advanced vocabulary tools or real spoken English examples. Then practise any new expressions you learn with a teacher or by self-talking.

Let’s look at these solutions in turn:

1. Understand why you are repeating the same vocabulary

People often use the same English words or phrases when speaking because they believe there is only one way to express a certain feeling, idea, thing, etc.

But in fact, there are often many different ways to say the same thing in English.

For example, if I want to thank someone for a present, I could say, “Thank you”.

But I could also say “Oh, that’s so kind of you!“, or “Oh, you shouldn’t have!” or “I really appreciate that.” These are all very common – but different – ways to say “Thank you” in English.

So, understanding that there are many ways to express the same idea is very important if you want to start using different vocabulary in English.

2. Use translation tools – carefully!

Translating words from your language to get quick meanings is a convenient way to learn new English vocabulary. But some translation tools only give you one word or phrase – but no alternative examples.

Look at this result from Google Translate:

Saying “How’s it going?” every time you see people you know doesn’t sound very natural.

A French-speaking student might see this translation and think “How’s it going?” is the only way to say “Comment ça va?” in English.

But of course, this is NOT true!

For example, we could also say:

“How are you?” or “How are you doing?” or “How’s life?“, or “Are you alright?“, etc.

And all of these spoken English expressions are useful to know, too.

Basic tools like Google Translate are fine for getting quick and simple English translations of words and phrases from your language. But often, they don’t give us enough alternative vocabulary examples to use when speaking English.

Translation tools for learning alternative vocabulary

Luckily, there are a few other online dictionaries like Reverso Context, that give you a wider range of translations. Tools like these are more useful for finding different ways to say the same thing in English.

See how many other alternative English phrases we get for the same greeting:

So, translating words and phrases from your own language can be a useful way to learn alternative vocabulary, especially if you’re a beginner. But it’s better to choose tools that give you more than one translation.

3. Learn new synonyms for English vocabulary you know already

Another good way to start varying your English vocabulary for speaking is to learn synonyms for words and phrases you already know.

Synonyms are just “alternative words” that share the same (or similar) meaning.

For example, some synonyms of the word “hot” are: “warm”, “boiling”, and “sweltering”.

So instead of saying, “The weather forecast says it’s going to be hot tomorrow“, you could say:

The weather forecast says it’s going to be warm / boiling / sweltering tomorrow.

But how do we find new English synonyms?

Finding synonyms with a thesaurus

One quick way to learn synonyms is to use a thesaurus (a synonym dictionary).

If you already know a word or phrase in English, a thesaurus can help you find new and different ways to say that word or phrase.

This online thesaurus example gives you synonyms for the word “travel”:

Replace boring words with new synonyms

Online thesauruses usually provide more interesting alternatives for individual words.

You can use a thesaurus to find different words for common adjectives, like “sad”:

sad = unhappy, miserable, down, miffed – I’m feeling a bit miserable, right now

They also suggest new words for common actions, like “arrive”:

arrive = come, get, show up – She showed up at 9pm / she got there at 9pm

Find new phrases for speaking

As with single words, you can also avoid repeating boring phrases – by learning alternative expressions.

For example, maybe you are someone who always says: “I don’t know…” all the time.

If so, you can stop using that phrase right now, and start saying, “I have no idea” or “I haven’t a clue” instead!

Phrases like these sound more natural and are much more fun to use in English conversations.

A great place to find alternative English phrases is Word Hippo.

First, type in a boring phrase that you want to stop using. Then it will give you some more interesting phrases to use instead.

I got these new phrases when I searched for other ways to say: “I don’t know”:

4. Learn alternative vocabulary from real spoken English

Another great way to stop using the same English words is to get new vocabulary from native speaker conversations.

“Real” spoken English contains lots of alternative words, phrases, questions and responses. But most students don’t learn this kind of vocabulary from course books or school study.

Instead, they “switch off” to real life vocabulary they hear, and prefer to use words and phrases they already know. But (of course!), this vocabulary is not enough to understand – and speak to – English speakers in a natural way.

Do you know these questions?

Here are some different ways to ask simple, everyday questions:

“What do you fancy for dinner?” (= what food do you want to have for dinner?)

“Are you up to anything later?” ( = Are you doing anything later?)

“Are you up for a drink, tonight?” (= Would you like to come out for a drink, tonight?)

These questions are all very common in everyday conversations. But how many of these do you know – or use – when you speak English?

When you take time to listen to real examples of English speech, you learn new words and phrases that native speakers really say – and NOT what you think they say!

But how can we pick up alternative vocabulary from real English?

Learning real vocabulary from real life conversations

If your listening skills are good, you can use a vocabulary notebook to write down any alternative English phrases that you hear. This is easier if you already live or work with native English speakers:

I once had a Spanish student who worked evenings behind a bar in a pub in London. She noticed that often, her customers asked for the same things but in different ways. So, she decided to keep a notebook by her side all the time while she worked.
Every time a customer said an unusual word or phrase, she would write it down in her notebook. When the pub was less busy, she would ask other customers to explain meanings of the new words and phrases she had written down.
In this way, my student learned many different ways to ask questions. She also learned to use a wide range of phrases to express herself.

Using YouTube videos (or transcripts)

If you don’t live (or work) near native speakers, you can also use videos on YouTube to find new ways to express yourself when speaking.

Interviews (especially celebrity interviews) are useful for this because the subject matter is usually easy to understand, and English is natural and conversational.

This interview between David Letterman and a young Leonardo DiCaprio has some good examples of natural English. The topics they discuss are also quite easy to follow:

You could also use a mouse-over dictionary, like mouse tool tip translator, to get meanings of new words you find.

5. Practise new words in context

Finally, if you really want to start using new words and phrases, you will need to start using them as soon as possible!

If you are lucky enough to have an English speaking friend or teacher, you can start trying out your new vocabulary right away. If not, online conversation sites like Italki or Preply are perfect for practising new expressions you’ve learned.

Whether or not you have a “real” person to speak English with, you may want to practise a little on your own first.

Most students do this by “self-talking”. Self-talking just means you practise new phrases in context by talking to yourself – perhaps as an imaginary roleplay.

Stop saying these words – and use different words instead!

Here are some words that you may be using too often in English. Next to them are some different ways you can express these ideas.

Adjectives

You may be using these adjectives too often! On the right are some new adjectives that you can try using instead:

Common adjectives you probably know already	More interesting adjectives you can try!
good	great, amazing, lovely, brilliant
bad	awful, terrible, dreadful, rubbish, crappy
happy	glad, chuffed, delighted, over the moon
delicious	nice, lovely, tasty, amazing
difficult	hard, tricky, challenging,
big	huge, massive, enormous

Verbs

Believe it or not, there are different ways to say verbs like “eat”, “laugh” and “love”:

Common verbs	Alternative verbs or expressions
eat some food	have (lunch/dinner), have something to eat, get a bite to eat
laugh	giggle, chuckle, laugh my head off
love	adore, to be into (I’m really into….)

New phrases to use in conversations

Here are a few common English phrases that you may want to say in a different way:

Different ways to say greetings

How are you? Hey, how’s life? / How are you doing? / Hey, good to see you!
I’m very happy to see you – It’s so nice to see you! / Wow, what a surprise!

Different ways to ask for help

I don’t understand – I don’t get it / I’m not sure I understand / I’m not clear about…
I don’t know the answer – I haven’t a clue / I haven’t the faintest idea / I haven’t the foggiest idea
What does … mean? – Can you tell me what this means? / What’s the meaning of ….. / Can you explain …?
Can you repeat? – Could you say that again, please? / Could you run that past me again, please?
Please give me.. – Could I have … please? / Could you give me ….? / Can you let me have ….?

Different ways to agree and disagree

Yes, I agree with you – Oh totally! / Absolutely! / I couldn’t agree more!
No, I don’t agree – No way! / I don’t really see it that way! / That’s not how I see it
I think …. To me it seems that …. / As I see it / As far as I’m concerned / I feel that …..

Small talk – different phrases that mean the same thing

What did you do last weekend? What did you get up to at the weekend? / Did you have a nice weekend?
What things have you been doing recently? What have you been up to lately?

Different ways to explain plans

What are you doing tomorrow? Have you got any plans for tomorrow? / Up to anything tomorrow?

Different ways to express likes and dislikes

I like cars – I’m really into cars / cars are my thing / I’m a big fan of cars
I hate that movie – I can’t stand that movie
I don’t mind it – I can take it or leave it / I’m not bothered either way