Good morning folks! The other day I had an interesting email “conversation” with one of you about phrases and jargon that we’re increasingly tired of hearing in meetings. The next day, I received an article from one of my favorite grammar websites going over some similar items.
The following is a selection of phrases you might hear in conversations or read in email, from the GrammarBook.com website article “Worn-Out Words and Phrases: 2017 (Follow-up)”. Even though we understand what most of the phrases mean, we try to avoid idioms and jargon to present our ideas more directly and clearly. As the author of this article says, “Together, as guardians of good grammar and writing, we can lead in keeping a lush linguistic landscape free of what can sap it of its beauty and strength.”
| Worn-Out Word/Phrase | Alternatives |
| 24/7 (adv) | always; all of the time |
| absolutely (interj) | yes; of course |
| amazing (adj) | stunning, wondrous |
| at the end of the day (prep. phrase) | in the end, ultimately |
| by the same token (prep. phrase) | similarly |
| cutting-edge (adj) | leading, innovative |
| drop(ped) the ball (verb phrase) | bungle, botch, fail to follow up |
| from the get-go (prep. phrase) | from the start, beginning |
| high-impact (adj) | forceful, powerful, productive |
| holistic (adj) | comprehensive, integrated |
| impact(ed) (v) | affect(ed), influence(d) |
| it’s not rocket science (idiomatic clause) | it’s simple, easy |
| a lot/too much on plate (noun phrase) |
busy, occupied, swamped (adj) |
| on the same page (prep. phrase) | agree, concur (v) |
| paradigm shift (noun phrase) | radical change, new belief |
| perfect storm (noun phrase, idiom) | crisis, ordeal, quagmire |
| proactive (adj) | diligent, motivated, thinking ahead |
| reach out (verb with particle) | contact, connect |
| safe haven (tautological noun phrase) | haven, refuge, sanctuary |
| synergy (n) | teamwork, harmony, unity |
| think outside the box (verb phrase) | be creative, think differently |
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773
Symitar Documentation Services
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