“Often the words you fear most to say are the most important ones.”
– George Bernard Shaw
When it comes to success in any area, the words you choose matter just as much as the ideas you share. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, preparing to switch careers, or stepping into your first job interview, the words you choose can shape how you’re perceived.
A powerful vocabulary allows you to express your ideas with clarity, sound more confident, and show that you’re ready to thrive in international workplaces where English is the shared language.
This month at Intrepid English, we’re focusing on Job Interview Preparation; helping you gain the skills and confidence to succeed in high-stakes conversations. Your vocabulary plays a vital role in that success.
In this article, I’ll share practical ways to strengthen your vocabulary and make your English more effective, professional, and above all, powerful.
Why word choice matters
Imagine you’re in a job interview. You say: “I did a very good job on that project.” It’s definitely clear and grammatically correct, but it doesn’t sound confident or particularly memorable.
Compare it to: “I made a valuable contribution to that project, which led to a successful outcome.” Same idea but it gives a much stronger impression.
When you use precise, professional vocabulary, you:
- Sound more confident
- Express your value clearly
- Build trust with colleagues, clients, and interviewers
The goal isn’t to use complicated words. It’s to choose words that show your professionalism and create a bigger impact.
Top tip: If you struggle to pronounce the ‘v’ sound at the beginning of ‘valuable’, try to pronounce it as ‘f’, and practice repeating the sound until you have mastered it. Still too tricky? Try using a synonym for ‘valuable’, like ‘meaningful’, ‘significant’ or ‘crucial’.
Upgrade common words
Here are some everyday words that can weaken your English and you have stronger alternatives that you can use instead:
- good → effective / successful / valuable
- bad → challenging / ineffective / unhelpful
- very big → significant / substantial / considerable
- very small → minor / limited / slight
- helped → supported / guided / facilitated
- worked on → developed / delivered / managed
By replacing vague words with precise ones, your message becomes sharper and more persuasive.
Practise in context
The best way to truly learn new vocabulary is to practise it in your real-life situations. Here are some ways to make new words stick:
- Personalise Your Examples: Instead of memorising generic examples, put the word into a sentence about your work, your life.
For example, “I facilitated a training session for new team members.” - Record Yourself Speaking: Say your sentences out loud. This builds fluency and confidence for interviews and meetings. This will also help you to find any words which are difficult for you to pronounce, so you can replace it with a synonym and practise that before the interview.
- Use Active Review: Keep a vocabulary journal and test yourself by covering one side (word or meaning) and recalling the other. At Intrepid English, we provide a feedback form after every lesson that contains any new vocabulary, grammar or corrections from the lesson. Our students find it incredibly useful when we then do a mini revision at the end of the month on vocabulary or grammar that we covered. Reviewing vocabulary and grammar regularly will only make you stronger.
Communicate with impact
Upgrading your vocabulary is not about sounding complicated or long-winded. It’s about being clear, confident, and professional. Remember:
- Choose precise words that highlight your impact
- Practise using them in examples about your own career
- Speak clearly, not quickly. Speed does not equal fluency
The stronger your word choice, the stronger your impression in interviews, presentations, and professional conversations. Immediately your level of English will improve, and so will your confidence!
Check out Kate’s Ask Us Anything video on alternatives to using the word ‘nice’ to expand your vocabulary even more:
How can Intrepid English help?
At Intrepid English, we help learners like you strengthen their communication in English every day. As a member, you’ll benefit from:
- Monthly 1:1 coaching sessions with Lorraine (goal-setting + accountability)
- Personalised lessons and feedback linked to your real career and life goals
- A supportive learning community where learners encourage each other
- Human-centred mentorship (no random tutors, no AI matching – your personal teacher will guide you throughout your Intrepid English journey)
You can get started with a £1 trial lesson, where you’ll receive a personalised action plan tailored to your goals.