The Most Articulate Person In The Room Almost Always Does 9 Things That Sound Impressive
VH-studio | Shutterstock We’ve all encountered articulate people who seem to know just what to say and how to say it. It's impressive and makes you want to get to know them better.
Being well-spoken is about more than just having the right words and being knowledgeable. It’s the little things people practice or pick up along the way that make them noticeable.
9 impressive things the most well-spoken people do to win over whatever room they're in:
1. They speak with structure
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People love structure and formats. It's almost soothing when things fit neatly into a little box. So why not approach speaking the same way?
Articulate people tend to express their thoughts in an organized, logical way that makes sense to the listener. This doesn't mean they use big or fancy words. It just means they know how to get their point across without making people work to understand what they're saying. Think about telling a story that everyone can follow from start to finish, rather than jumping back and forth between details as if you can't organize your thoughts.
2. Articulate people don't fill the silence with fluff
I don't know why, but we've made silence between people feel so uncomfortable and awkward. It shouldn't be. The only reason we feel embarrassed during a lull in a conversation is that we're worried about what the other person is thinking. Most of the time, they're probably wondering the same thing we are.
Articulate people, however, tend to let the silence linger and give it room to breathe. They understand that there's no need to rush to fill every quiet moment just because it feels awkward. It's interesting how easily we can sit in silence with people we're close to but feel the need to fill every pause when we're with someone we don't know as well. When we can get comfortable with that silence around someone new, it can actually draw us closer to them.
3. They tend to speak backward
What I mean by this is that most people like to build up the drama rather than getting to the point right away.
We enjoy tension and buildup because they're entertaining. That's why we love certain movies and shows that keep us guessing until the very end. But when we're just chatting, we sometimes forget that the goal is different. We aren't trying to keep someone on the edge of their seat. We're trying to make sure they understand what we're saying. It's hard to have a meaningful conversation when one person has no idea what the other is trying to communicate.
4. They cut out all those filler words to sound more articulate
You had to have known this one was going to be in here. Cutting down on filler words or even umms can make us sound more articulate. When we look at skilled public speakers, one thing we often notice is how intentionally they speak. They don't nervously fall back on filler words. The word like comes to mind right off the bat.
Yet, even though we know this and can point it out when listening to someone else speak, we still do it all the time ourselves. It's a hard habit to break, especially when we're nervous or trying to gather our thoughts on the spot. If you want to sound more articulate in your everyday life, start by paying attention to how often you use these words. You don't have to eliminate every single one, but learning to pause instead of automatically filling the silence can make a noticeable difference.
5. They read a lot, which improves their vocabulary
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I know reading isn't the same thing as speaking, but the more you read, the more words you're exposed to. It's one of the easiest ways to expand your vocabulary without making it feel like you're studying for a test.
You'll start noticing words popping into your head during conversations that you never even realized you knew. You might also find yourself getting better at explaining complicated thoughts because you've spent so much time seeing how other people put their ideas into words. It's a great way to become a more articulate person, and I bet the most articulate person you know reads in some form almost every day.
6. They think before they speak
Sometimes our mouths work faster than our brains, and we end up struggling to get our point across or saying something totally off the wall. Sometimes this can even get us in trouble, like a bad word slipping out in an inappropriate environment.
Articulate people understand the value of pausing before they start talking. Remember what I said about being able to sit in silence? Sometimes that pause is exactly what someone needs to figure out how they want to express themselves. Instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, they take a moment to organize their thoughts and consider how their words might come across.
7. Well-spoken people don't pretend to know everything
I promise you, you'll seem smarter if, instead of giving a roundabout explanation to cover up the fact that you don't know something, you simply admit it. Pretending to know everything comes across as arrogant, and if it happens repeatedly, people will stop trusting what you say.
Articulate people understand that you don't have to prove yourself in every conversation or have an answer for every question someone asks you. Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is ask someone to explain something or admit that you haven't learned enough about a subject to have an opinion.
8. They ask questions instead of just talking
Kind of feeding off the last one, articulate people know how to ask questions. Being a good conversationalist isn't just about knowing what to say. It's also about being interested in what other people have to say and knowing how to keep a conversation going.
Asking someone a thoughtful question shows that you're paying attention and actually want to understand their perspective, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. The most articulate person in the room isn't always talking.
9. Articulate people don't use big words just to use them
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And of course, the best for last, the one everyone seems to get confused about: You do not need to use big words to seem articulate. Using big, fussy words can just confuse your listener. They might disengage from the conversation or feel insecure because they don't understand what you're saying. Neither of these things makes for a particularly good conversation.
Being articulate is about communicating your thoughts in a way that other people can understand, not proving how many complicated words you know. If a simpler word gets your point across, use it!
Julia McNulty is a writer with a Master’s degree in Literary & Cultural Studies who specializes in lifestyle, relationship, culture, and human interest topics.
