It doesn’t matter who you are—everyone can benefit from strengthening their communication skills.
For some of us, that might mean being more clear and concise with our language. For others, that might be speaking more kindly, or confidently, or simply using fewer clichés and platitudes when we speak. Whatever the case might be, there are certain words and phrases we can eliminate from our vocabularies to communicate more effectively. Discover one that might suit you, based on your zodiac sign, below.
Aries (March 21 – April 19): ‘Literally’
The problem with the word “literally” is that we only hear it used correctly about 10% of the time. While it should mean “in a literal sense” or “exactly,” most people say it to mean the exact opposite, and Aries is one of the biggest offenders. Because of your big, energetic personalities, you love using the word for a playful sense of emphasis, instead draining it of all meaning. “This is so cute I could literally die!” Not really.
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Taurus (April 20 – May 20): ‘Basically’
Taurus is a pretty grounded and practical earth sign that tends to mean what they say, but when they use the word “basically” to try to better explains themselves, they usually wind up watering their meaning down, instead. You’ve been drawn to this adverb because it sounds like a smart emphasis of a point, when it’s actually quite meaningless. Try omitting it entirely to strengthen your statement.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20): ‘Like’
“Like” is one of those dreaded filler words we’ve all been told to avoid, but Geminis may be the ones most likely to use (and overuse) it because of their chatty and sociable natures. You might find yourself saying it to fill space when you’re thinking, to point out similarities or to note who said what in a conversation, when all of these ideas can be expressed more succinctly and intelligently in other ways. See what happens when you go a day noting how many times you say “like” when you don’t need to say anything at all.
Also read about: 9 Things to Make Small Talk About When You Don’t Know What to Say
Cancer (June 21 – July 22): ‘Kind Of’
As a sensitive water sign, Cancer tends to be very careful about their interactions with others. You may be closed off and guarded with your emotions, especially around new people, and you’ve found a sense of safety in communicating in a less definitive way. The words “kind of” have likely snuck into your vocabulary and started to pervade everything you say. The problem is that few things are actually “kind of” anything. They either are, or they aren’t, and making this decision before you talk might make you sound and feel more confident in your speech.
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Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): ‘Cringe’
In 2026, it’s time to do away with calling things “cringe,” especially if you’re a charismatic and spotlight-loving Leo who should essentially be immune to the secondhand embarrassment. Instead of finding things cringe-worthy, you should be embracing authenticity and sincerity instead. So what if you find a situation slightly mortifying? That’s where you have space to shine the brightest.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sep. 22): ‘I Think…’
Perfectionistic and hard-working Virgos hate being wrong, which is why they often couch statements in leading words like “I think…” You might feel better about a statement when it doesn’t have to be definitive and you give yourself space to pivot if you’re uninformed in any way. Instead, what you’re doing is lessening the impact of your words, stating them as just a thought, rather than an informed suggestion or opinion—which it probably is.
Also read about: How Your Crush Feels About You, Based on How They Greet You
Libra (Sep. 23 – Oct. 22): ‘Just’
As a friend to all who likes to keep the peace and never make waves, Libra is another zodiac sign that often waters down their language to seem less forceful and aggressive. However, it usually has the effect of making them sound passive. If that’s you, “just” is a word you probably use often. Sure, it sounds less demanding to say, “Just wanted to check in,” or “Just a quick question,” but it can also make you sound unsure and like your request is unimportant. Simply dropping the “just” will make a big difference in your communication.
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Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): ‘Period’
Scorpios have strong personalities and a magnetism that few can ignore, but they can date themselves by using old slang, and “period” is starting to feel like a blast from the past that needs to go. While once, it sounded confident and authoritative, conveying your strengths as a Scorpio, it’s now a big cliché, and saying nothing at all to punctuate the end of your sentence will leave it far punchier.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21): ‘Honestly’
Sagittarians are known for being as blunt and straightforward as they come, so starting every sentence with “honesty” couldn’t be more redundant. Not only does it dilute the statement that follows, but it can also be a tip-off to listeners, who might take it the wrong way. When you have to say you’re being honest, they may believe you’re actually being dishonest. Just state the truth, and don’t worry about the rest.
Also read about: The Fastest Way to Flatter Every Sign of the Zodiac
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): ‘I Told You So’
Hard-working and wise Capricorns are rarely wrong, especially when it comes to the subjects they’re passionate about, but that doesn’t mean they should rub it in other people’s faces. The next time you feel tempted to utter the words, “I told you so,” try not saying anything instead. The person who proved you right probably feels bad enough already without your help, and you showing grace will earn you a lot more respect than being condescending.
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Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): ‘…If That Makes Sense’
Sometimes, it can seem like Aquarians are off in a world of their own. They’re innovators who think outside the box, and just because an idea is a little out-there doesn’t mean they won’t pursue it as far as they can. Because of this, you might find yourself frequently padding your shared thoughts with “if that makes sense,” because there have been times your perfectly valid ideas didn’t make sense to others. Remember that you’re not looking for their validation, but instead trying to effectively and confidently communicate a concept.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): ‘Sorry’
Pisces, another of the sensitive water signs of the zodiac, is big on emotions. As someone who’s thoughtful and empathetic, you probably find yourself apologizing and saying “sorry” far more than you need to. Unless you’re actually apologizing for something that warrants it, stop! Instead of giving an apology or small inconveniences or just speaking up, try turning the statement over to gratitude instead. Thank people for their patience, or the opportunity to chime in, or for their help. You’ll sound more confident, and the real apologies will count for a lot more when you need to make them.
For even more on the phrases to avoid, click HERE to discover how changing the way you speak might make you sound more confident and less arrogant.
