20 Steps to Sound More Articulate!

This word doesn't mean anything! In many other languages, there is not a single translation for "got" because it does not exist; it always depends on context. Therefore, consider what context you are using, and find a suitable replacement. For example:
"I got 99 problems." = "I have 99 problems."
"I got it while at the store." = "I bought it while at the store."
"I got an A!" = "I received/earned an A!"
Can you see how many words "got" can translate as? There are many more too!

Words such as "yeah," and "nah," are weak sounding. In place of "yeah," say "yes," "indeed," "very well," "correct." In place of "nah," say "no," (if it sounds too harsh, add a "but thanks though" or something similar.)

When asked, "How are you?" the typical "Good!" is both passe and often times, untrue, (am I right?) Try answering the question honestly for one thing. It will generate a more stimulating conversation: "Actually, I'm nervous about finals-week," "I'm a bit bored at the moment," and when you actually are "good" try using "I'm doing well!" It will certainly take some practice to break the former habit, but it is a great way to sound more articulate, even when you have a short conversation.

Words such as "very," "really," and "extremely" are considered lazy in writing and speaking. If you have to modify your words that drastically, you need to use a new word. For instance:
"The flower is very pretty!" = "The flower is stunning!"
"He is really sad." = "He is devastated."
"The fajitas are extremely hot!" = "The fajitas are scorching!"

"Like" could be a useful word when comparing, however, it has been beaten to death by those who use it as a filler-word (we all know those people). Thus, we are left with no other choice than to use substitutes. In place of "like," you can use "as," "such as," "is similar to," "is assimilated to," etc. They are all quite a mouthful, but those valley-girls ruined it for everyone.

Admittedly, this is a soap-box moment: especially if you are a woman, chances are you say that you "feel," or "believe" when you want to express a certain amount of confidence in what you know, but unless what you are referring to is a particular emotion, the word is all wrong. Men do this too, however, as women, we will encounter those misogynistic jerks who think that the thoughtless slip reveals your lack of intellectual capability. Use "think," "know," and "understand" instead.

This whole "who/whom" thing is going out of style fast. Soon, it will be as outlandish as "thou/thine/art" but nonetheless, if you are a romantic and want to salvage the last vestiges of "whom" then know this: whom RECEIVES the verb, whereas "who" performs it. For example:
"WHO IS a jolly good fellow?"
V.S.
"I shall love him WHOM I KNEW long ago."
But if you aren't 90% sure that you are using it correctly, then don't bother. No one will notice.

Thanks to this episode of "Friends," many of us do know the difference, but just in case you don't, it is not "supposABLY," it is "supposEDLY."

Okay, so this is completely unfair because they sound so similar, but have opposite meanings, but "to condone" is to approve of something; "to condemn" is to damn (do you see "damn in condemn?") something theoretically to Hell, but generally speaking it means that you don't like it. I overhear college seniors mixing these two up...

This one is also tricky. To sound more articulate, you will want to reduce your amount of contractions, however, don't cut them all out otherwise you will just sound ridiculous. In this previous sentence I kept one contraction, but omitted two. Basically this is a soft rule, so strive to reduce as many as possible without sounding bumpy.

We all have that one friend who uses curses like commas. Not only is it inarticulate, but it devalues the weight of the word. Cursing, whether you drop an actual F-bomb, or you shout out "golly-gee-wizzy" when you stub your toe, ought to be reserved for moments of emphasis. For example, Bridget Jones' friend uses "f*ck" four times, and it has little value. But when your medieval professor avoids curses all term, and then while describing the "accidental" sack of Constantinople exclaims: "What the f*ck happened?!" her students are keenly aware of how out-of-place the attack was. This is how you can use swear words potently.

We have already harassed "like," but the entire issue of filler-words needs to be addressed. Anything that delays you saying what you intend is wasting time and it's making you look uneducated. It will be another difficult habit to break, but it will be well worth the effort! "So," "I mean," "basically," are also considered filler-words. Beware!

Unfortunately, "to be" can debilitate your sentences. If you can replace your "was's" with a stronger verb, you will sound much more potent and eloquent. For instance:
"He WAS WALKING SLOWLY down the street." = "He SAUNTERED down the street."
"I WAS EATING everything I saw." = "I DEVOURED everything I saw."
Doesn't that paint a more striking image in your mind?

Another dying rule, but for those who seek to preserve antiquity, "shall" is not an older version of "will," it is used with the first person, whereas "will" is to be used with second and third person. If you have ever studied a foreign language, you will be familiar with the concept of conjugations. Well, bust out your double-t diagrams, there are in fact, conjugations in English.
"I shall" _|_ "we shall"
"you will" _|_ "you all will"
"he/she/it will" _|_ "they will"

One of the many uses of "that" is following a "head-verb" i.e. "speaking, thinking, feeling, knowing," etc. Often, people mistakenly say: "I thought it was cool." But correct grammar would have it as "I thought THAT it was cool." This can be difficult to follow, as the verbs which count as a head-verbs can be quite abstract. "I understood THAT he it was dangerous;" "I admired THAT she was so brave;" "I imagined THAT I was flying." It's also a fun exercise since it forces you to question THAT which is a occurring in the head.

You have been told this since middle school, but honestly, read! The more frequently you encounter big words, the more likely you are to use them. If you see a word you don't know, don't ignore it. Look it up! Oxford English Dictionary has an app for goodness sake.

Have you ever stopped and thought about the word "exactly?" Now say it. Did you say the "t?" Chances are, you didn't. Let us hearken back to Hermione, she said "honestly," but did you omit that "t" as well? With so many consonants smashed together, we have been ignoring some letters. But don't be lazy, those letters exist for a reason! When you read, practice pronouncing each letter. This is another soft rule, because it can become ridiculous, but try it out for a few days at least just so you can know what you are omitting and what you wish to keep.
P.S. do NOT spell it "announciate."

"Nor" is similar to "whom" in that, people throw it out there without knowing where it goes because it sounds nice. "Nor" is in the negative, so in your listing process, it must accompany another negative. The same is true of "or," it's a positive, so it accompanies a positive. For example:
"She is EITHER Superwoman OR a demigoddess."
"He was NEITHER foolish NOR cruel."
This does not count as a double negative since "neither" and "nor" do not modify each other. Rather, think of "nor" as an extension of "neither;" it's sort of a verbal comma which agree with the starter term.

Please stop using this. As one brilliant comic put it, if you use it incorrectly, it means nothing -- if you use it correctly, we're not entirely sure why it was necessary. Unless what you are saying is both true yet unbelievable, do not use this word.

Since you have endured this grammar-nightmare of a list, you will now be rewarded with the single most important rule: know when to break the rules. Indeed, there is nothing more off-putting than a stickler who observes every rule since the beginning of time, and who holds you to that same standard. Don't be like that! (See what I did there?) Certainly practice these rules, but if you are fumbling over fancy words and spitting out more syllables than it's worth, chill out. You will not sound eloquent nor articulate if you aren't natural.