Ask the Word Nerd – “How Do I Rephrase This?”

At the Get Connected 2010 Conference in Miami Beach (Jan 29-31), I realized that there are several people who wish they could send me a comment; “(k)notty word” phrase; question or anything with “nots” in it so I can offer them an empowering alternative.

So we came up with Ask the Word Nerd – “How to rephrase this?”

Send your phrase to bob.nicoll@remembertheice.com.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Here are some examples I have already received:

Hi, mine is a phrase…“pull the trigger”. When closing a sale, I find myself saying “just let me know when you are ready to the pull the trigger and we’ll …. any ideas :) Jolynn in Wisconsin

Hi Jolynn, How about this one. “Just let me know when you are ready, and we’ll move forward.” You are wanting to acknowledge that both of you are ready to move to the next step. Thank you for your continued support of Remember the Ice.   Best regards, Bob
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This web-site is not fit to be released to the public yet:  Generalized:  This “product” is not fit for purpose (yet). Thanks, Mark, A frustrated trainer. United Kingdom

Hello Mark,  Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  How about these as alternatives?
This product needs more testing.  Or This product is almost ready for market.
Best regards, Bob
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Hello Bob,  I just wanted to say hello and see how you are doing. This morning at BNI Gary, Pam & I noticed the sign in the kitchen of Denny’s. It stated “If you are not proud, do not serve the food”.  Thought you would get a chuckle.          Terri Weary, Anchorage, AK

Hi Terri, Gary and Pam:  Rephrasing signs like this are good examples for alternative word choice.  How about this: Be proud of the food your serve. Best regards, Bob
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Bob:    I’ve got one for you…I used to end my emails with “If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask.” I’ve since changed that to “If there is anything I can do to help, please ask”  or “… please let me know.” Shawn M. Yesner, Yesner & Boss, P.L., St. Petersburg, FL

Hi Shawn.  Great example of attracting what you want.  Well stated!  Best regards, Bob
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Leave Something for the Word Nerd!

7 Responses to “Ask the Word Nerd – “How Do I Rephrase This?””

  1. Paula Bemis on February 24th, 2010

    I am developing some training material related to the topic of Quality. Often times people think quality is something different than what it actually is. I was going to include a list of attributes of what quality is and also what quality is not.

    I am struggling how to frame the list of these “other” attributes. I believe there is of value in both sets of attributes (what quality is and what quality is not).

    Can you help me reframe this “other” list of attributes to a title that avoids the word not?

  2. bob on February 25th, 2010

    Hi Paula,

    How about having a list of “Desired Qualities” for the ones you want.

    and

    A list of those “Mistaken as Quality”.

    I can see why you want to make a different list. Once stated, maintain the focus on the Desired Qualities.

    Best regards,

    Bob

  3. kellie davis on March 6th, 2010

    “Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.”

    Bob– can you rephrase this?

  4. bob on March 6th, 2010

    Hi Kellie,

    Great example here. I would rephrase it this way:

    Life is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.

    Thank you for sending your request.

    Best regards,

    Bob

  5. Paula Bemis on June 9th, 2010

    Hello Bob! Looking forward to seeing you next week.

    I have something for you…

    “In many cases, if not most, employees…”

  6. Paula Bemis on June 9th, 2010

    One more please Bob,

    “She treats everyone respectfully, not just her boss”.

  7. bob on July 1st, 2010

    Hello Paula,

    Sorry for the delay in getting these comments back to you. On the first one, I think I would just remove the “if not most” and simply state:

    “In most cases, employees…..”

    On the second one:

    “She treats the entire staff respectfully, from the entry level employees right up to the executive level.”

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February 12, 2010 | Filed Under | 7 Comments 

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