By 
Look, words matter. A lot. How we talk is often a dead giveaway of how we feel about ourselves.
Confident guys? They don’t waste time with fluff and filler.
They don’t hide behind maybe’s and kind-of’s.
They own their words, just as they own their actions.
And there are certain phrases you’ll never catch them saying—phrases that just scream “I’m not sure of myself.”
If you’re trying to level up in the self-confidence game, you might want to kick these phrases out of your vocabulary.
Let’s dive in.
1. “I’m Sorry, But…”
Starting a statement with “I’m sorry, but…” is a classic sign of hedging.
While apologizing when you’ve genuinely done something wrong is a mark of maturity, using “I’m sorry” as a prefix to your opinions or feelings diminishes your confidence in your own perspective.
Confident men express their views and emotions openly without feeling the need to apologize first. Instead of saying, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” a confident man would assert, “I don’t believe that’s a good idea.”
2. “Does that make sense?”
Repeatedly checking in mid-conversation to see if others are following your train of thought can indicate a lack of faith in your own clarity or the value of what you’re saying.
While it’s great to be considerate and ensure that everyone’s on the same page, overusing this phrase can make it seem like you’re second-guessing yourself.
A confident man believes in the coherence of his thoughts and trusts his audience to ask if they need clarification.
3. “Just”
Inserting the word “just” into statements can unintentionally weaken the impact of your words. Saying, “I just thought…” or “I was just wondering…” tends to soften or downplay the importance of what’s to follow.
It’s as if you’re tiptoeing around your own ideas, fearing they might intrude or be seen as too aggressive. Confident men state their thoughts clearly without the cushioning.
Instead of “I just wanted to ask if…” they’d say, “I wanted to ask if…”.
4. “I’ll Try…”
While it’s commendable to put effort into endeavors, “I’ll try” often conveys uncertainty about one’s capacity to complete or achieve something.
It leaves room for the possibility of not following through. Confident men, on the other hand, commit.
They know their capabilities and limits.
Instead of saying, “I’ll try to make it,” they’re more likely to give a definitive answer such as, “I’ll be there,” or, if they’re uncertain, “I’ll let you know by [specific time].”
5. “I Guess…”
Beginning a statement with “I guess” implies a level of indecision or ambivalence about one’s own opinion or stance.
It suggests that the speaker is unsure or doesn’t fully stand behind their words. Confident men speak with conviction.
Rather than saying, “I guess that could work,” they’ll assert, “That could work,” or offer a clear alternative if they believe otherwise.
6. “Maybe it’s just me, but…”
Using this phrase often sounds like a disclaimer to shield oneself from potential disagreement or judgment.
It’s as if the speaker is saying, “Don’t blame me if you think differently.”
Confident men don’t feel the need to cushion their opinions out of fear of differing viewpoints.
They are comfortable with the idea that not everyone will agree with them. Instead of hiding behind qualifiers, they directly express their thoughts: “I think…” or “In my opinion…”
7. “No offense, but…”
Prefacing a statement with “No offense, but…” is often a warning sign that what’s about to be said may very well be offensive, or at least, the speaker is concerned it might be.
Instead of genuinely minimizing offense, it draws attention to the potentially sensitive nature of the following comment.
Confident men communicate their thoughts and critiques clearly and tactfully without relying on such disclaimers.
If feedback is necessary, they provide it constructively and directly, trusting in the maturity of their audience to handle it.
8. “This might be a dumb question, but…”
By leading with this phrase, one unnecessarily diminishes the value of their inquiry before even making it.
It’s as if they’re bracing for judgment or downplaying their own curiosity. Confident men understand that seeking clarity or knowledge is a strength, not a weakness.
They ask questions straightforwardly, knowing that every query is a step towards understanding, without feeling the need to belittle themselves in the process.
The bottom line
Words are powerful indicators of our inner confidence. Ditch the self-deprecating phrases and own your voice.
Remember, it’s not just about sounding confident—it’s about believing in yourself, too.
Speak clearly, act decisively, and let your words mirror the confidence within.
Got more phrases to add? Drop them in the comments! We’re always eager to learn from our community.