People With Incredibly Strong Common Sense & Intuition Usually Say 11 Phrases In Casual Conversation
Allan Carvalho | Pexels You can always tell when someone uses common sense in most situations they encounter. It's rarely about how intelligent they are and how many books they read; it's about their ability to make sound, intuitive decisions. As such, there are certain phrases intuitive people often use that help them stay calm in most situations and solve problems without getting caught up in unnecessary feelings or drama.
People with incredibly strong common sense and intuition usually say these things casually:
1. 'Let me think about it'
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People with common sense often exercise a certain amount of patience before tackling any problem or conflict that comes their way. They'll use the phrase "let me think about it" to give themselves more time to arrive at a smart, practical solution. They would rather not rush into anything because if they do, they might come up with an answer that doesn't solve the issue at hand.
Certified life coach and cognitive-behavioral therapy coach Lisa Hawkins explained that "when making decisions, rushing can feel gruesome. It gets better as you build confidence and start seeing the positive results of taking the time needed to consider all possibilities and have a clear answer that feels better to you rather than taking a quick shortcut due to decision fatigue."
2. 'I could be wrong, but...'
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By using this phrase, a person shows not only that they're unafraid to admit they don't know everything, but also that they're leaving room for someone else to jump in with a different perspective.
Psychotherapist and psychoanalyst F. Diane Barth, LCSW, explained that issues only arise because people don't know how to admit they are unaware of certain things. "Issues occur when people with different opinions are each convinced that only their beliefs are correct. Discussion disappears in such situations, and fights and hostility emerge. Knowledge is not finite; it's not an end goal. It's a process, made of learning and curiosity and not knowing; and the more we recognize what we don't know, the more completely we can engage in the process that makes up knowledge."
3. 'How would I feel in their shoes?'
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One phrase people with common sense often use is a question they ask themselves in many situations because they can exhibit empathy and emotional intelligence. They would rather understand someone else's feelings before casting judgment, and they're able to acknowledge that every person has unique experiences and struggles that can cause them to react to certain things.
Dr. Paul Thagard, PhD, a philosopher and cognitive scientist, explained that empathic understanding is important in many social situations, from friendships to psychotherapy: "You can feel someone else's pain by reasoning about it, perceiving it, or by using your unconscious embodied rules to simulate it. These deliberate, automatic, and dynamic modes of empathy can all help you to understand other people by putting yourself in their shoes," he said.
4. 'Is this really worth my energy?'
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This intuitive phrase means a person would rather focus their energy on certain interactions and situations because they view their time as precious. They're aware that certain battles are meant to be fought, while others can be ignored, because it truly won't make a difference to insert themselves into something that would ultimately drain their energy. Learning to pick your battles is a vital skill because it means you're actively choosing yourself over unnecessary conflict and stress.
5. 'I don't know, but I'll find out'
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A key trait of people with common sense is knowing that, while they may not be knowledgeable about everything, they will still take the time to figure things out and learn. They're willing to seek answers and solutions rather than live in ignorance. They don't pretend to know something, nor will they dismiss a topic because they're unaware of its intricacies. Instead, they're willing to tackle it head-on.
Paul M. Sutter, an astrophysicist, explained that there's power in saying, "I don't know." He continued, "The abstract of almost every scientific paper is 'We don't know, so we did some work. We figured out this little thing, but here are some things we still don't know, and some new ones we now need to figure out. The end.'"
"'I don't know' is a surprisingly liberating phrase," Sutter continued. "Try saying it out loud. How do you feel? Do you feel confused or frustrated? Well then, you're in the right place, a place of potential. A place where you can begin to learn new knowledge and begin to open doors of inquiry."
6. 'Let's agree to disagree'
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Many people view saying "let's agree to disagree" as negative, but in reality, it acknowledges that two people can have different viewpoints without having to argue each other down until one changes their opinion. It's a phrase people with common sense often use to defuse tension while remaining respectful.
Melody Stanford Martin, a social ethicist and communications expert, recommends agreeing to disagree before the conversation starts, saying, "It can be incredibly helpful to begin a conversation with, 'Yes, I will talk about this difficult subject with you. But how about we decide beforehand not to try to change each other's minds?'"
7. 'If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is'
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While people who lack common sense tend to repeat their mistakes, people who do have common sense challenge themselves to think more deeply about certain situations. So, when intuitive people use this phrase, they're encouraging those around them to consider situations that may seem overly perfect and effortless. They would rather be safe than sorry, rather than rush into something and regret it later.
People with a strong grasp of common sense are cautious about things that don't require any effort or thought. Business coach Jason Hennessey explained that being cautious and thinking through possible pitfalls is an important step when evaluating any action or opportunity. "Being bold by making a decision and taking the steps necessary to implement the decision is also critical to finding success. That's why one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can have is learning to balance being bold and being cautious," he said.
8. 'Does this make sense?'
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A person who exhibits strong common sense will often question everything and ask whether something makes sense before devoting their energy to it. A 2021 study determined that people who question things are better able to understand the world around them and solve problems more easily. If someone with common sense is presenting an idea or concept, they are concerned with making sure people can grasp what they're saying, rather than assuming it's common knowledge. They would rather make sure their message is being perfectly understood because of how much they value another person's POV.
9. 'Let's focus on what we can control'
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When intuitive folks use this phrase, they acknowledge that life is full of unpredictable moments we sometimes can't control. Instead of dwelling on it and causing more stress, these people would rather focus on what's within their control. They're practical thinkers and would rather devote their time to finding an actual solution than remain stuck.
10. 'No, that doesn't work for me'
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Unlike a harsh rejection, this phrase, when people use it intuitively, sets a firm but respectful boundary. They're aware of what makes them comfortable and what makes them uncomfortable, and instead of going with the flow and agreeing, they are making it clear that if something doesn't fit within the parameters of what they like, they'd rather not do it at all.
There's something powerful about being able to put your foot down without doing so in a way that makes other people feel disrespected or unheard. They're also leaving room for other suggestions rather than turning their backs on certain things.
11. 'Let's focus on the facts'
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One of the phrases people with common sense often use is "Let's focus on the facts," as these critical thinkers are fanatics about getting all the information before making a decision. They would rather have everything laid out than waste time and energy jumping to impulsive conclusions and solutions. By doing so, they prevent misunderstandings.
Approaching challenges with facts instead of feelings helps these types of people make informed decisions. They're logical and aren't afraid to pause a situation for a minute to gather all the facts, so they can come back to the table with a better answer.
Nia Tipton is a staff writer with a bachelor's degree in creative writing and journalism who covers news and lifestyle topics that focus on psychology, relationships, and the human experience.
