People Who Are Truly Intellectually Dominant Usually Say 7 Phrases In Casual Conversation
goodluz | Shutterstock Intellectually dominant people always manage to come out on top in every conversation. Their minds are ten steps ahead, keeping everyone they're talking to on their toes.
The fact is, some people are just so smart that it slips out when they are talking, even if it's just with a couple of friends. It's not meant to be obnoxious, either. They just use particular phrases that give away their IQ without even trying.
Phrases intellectually dominant people use when casually chatting that give away just how smart they are:
1. 'Have you fact-checked that?'
fizkes | Shutterstock
Intellectually dominant people love to get their facts straight. They rely on research and science-backed information. They'll make sure to fact-check what they say, but they'll probably do the same with their friends.
When a friend explains a new idea, they'll ask them, "Have you fact-checked that?" It's typically really frustrating for the friends they're around. It can feel like their intellectually dominant friend doesn't trust them as a source. These people aren't trying to be rude, though. They just want to make sure what they're learning is as accurate as possible.
2. 'I don’t really watch TV'
Whenever I'm in a group and we're talking about our favorite TV shows, I feel like there's always one friend who doesn't have a response. Someone will ask them for their opinion, and they'll say, "I don't really watch TV." When I hear this, I know I'm talking to an intellectually dominant person.
They're asserting their dominance by saying they're doing something better than the rest of their friends. It might not be intentional, but we all know that reading or doing a hobby is usually the smarter choice. By showing their intellectual dominance, these people really stress out their friends.
They're proving they have more cultural capital. Cultural capital is how you boost yourself up in society through things that aren't money-related. It's like how we assume people who have a lot of knowledge of art history are rich. Intellectually dominant people use their brains and good habits as capital to prove just how smart they are.
3. 'That's incorrect'
Intellectually dominant people aren't afraid to call others out. They'd choose accuracy over keeping the peace every time. If someone says a fact they know is wrong, they'll tell them.
It'll probably make the conversation awkward, but intellectually dominant people can't help but prove someone wrong if they're in the conversation. They don't want others to learn something that isn't true. Those people might pass the information on, and then even more people would believe something wrong.
That's how misinformation gets spread. If people become familiar with a fake concept, they'll start accepting it as truth. Intellectually dominant people want to stop that before it begins.
4. 'I read an article that said...'
PeopleImages from Getty Images Signature via Canva
Reading is an easy way people can become intelligent. When people consistently read, they’re able to rewire their brain to work better than others. They’ll be able to improve their memory and focus more in the future.
This is why you can hear intellectually dominant people repeatedly say in conversations, “I read an article that said…” They keep reading so they can keep expanding their brain. They'll read articles from reputable sources too to make sure what they're learning is true. These kinds of people will usually reference what they learned from those articles. It shows they're actively trying to pick up new ideas or facts.
5. 'You might not be aware, but…'
Another way intellectually dominant people show off their smarts is by saying, "You might not be aware, but..." Unfortunately, it might also make their friends feel stupid. The people who say this are hinting that their friends probably don't know as much as they do.
To be fair, that's probably true. Just because someone is smart doesn't mean all their friends are. They probably get frustrated themselves when they feel like people they are talking to can't keep up.
6. 'To put it another way…'
Wavebreakmedia from Getty Images via Canva
Intelligence can be hard to measure. There are a few ways you can tell who truly knows what they’re talking about, though. If people can teach the information they learn, they almost definitely understand it.
It’s something called the Protegee effect. When you organize your thoughts and explain them to others, you remember the idea more. It also gives you a deeper understanding of the idea.
Intellectually dominant people often try to rephrase an idea to make it easier to understand for others who might not get it on the first go-round. They know the information well enough to present it differently from how they learned it.
7. 'That’s a great point'
Intellectually dominant people aren’t always trying to prove you wrong. They’re just used to discussing ideas through a filter that helps them sift what’s true from what’s false. That’s why they’re as smart as they are. They don’t just accept information. They challenge it and acknowledge whether they think it’s true.
They'll make sure to tell their friends, “That’s a great point”, when they agree. The phrase also encourages their friends to keep talking so the ideas keep flowing.
Lily Bell is a college student studying English and Publications who covers relationships, mental health, and personal narratives surrounding the human experience.
