In the simplest terms: words have power.

The words you say (and the people you say them to) have immeasurable power to shape your progress and your potential. The words you say can bolster your authority. They can also undermine you, if you don’t choose them carefully.

Here are seven words and phrases to strike from your vocabulary right NOW to sound more confident and capable.

“Sorry”

This is not news – women have a tendency to overuse the word “sorry,” especially in place of other words that we’re actually intending to say, such as “excuse me” or “I have something I want to say.” This video released a few years ago by beauty brand Pantene does an excellent job of articulating the weakening power of overusing “sorry,” and words that should be used in its place.

If it’s absolutely necessary to use the word “sorry”, swap in “I apologize,” which sounds more deliberate and sophisticated.

“Just”

A.K.A. the four-letter credibility killer. What’s the problem with “just?” Simply put, it devalues whatever words follow it. It minimizes the importance of your request, your question, your statement, and consequently– your overall impact.

Ellen Leanse, the founder of Karmahacks, published a post on LinkedIn about the overuse of this word in women’s professional communication. Leanse explains her discovery of this phenomenon, and how it’s underhandedly devaluing women’s voices in the workplace:

“It hit me that there was something about the word I didn’t like. It was a “permission” word, in a way — a warm-up to a request, an apology for interrupting, a shy knock on a door before asking “Can I get something I need from you?”

Leanse continues,

“I am all about respectful communication. Yet I began to notice that “just” wasn’t about being polite: it was a subtle message of subordination, of deference. Sometimes it was self-effacing. Sometimes even duplicitous. As I started really listening, I realized that striking it from a phrase almost always clarified and strengthened the message.”

A “subtle message of subordination…” We use “just” to be polite, or not to impose on the person with whom we’re speaking, because what we have to say is less important than what they’re currently working on. That’s the implication every time you use the word “just.”

So the next time you catch yourself starting off an email with “I’m just writing to ask…” or texting a friend “Just wondering what you think about…”

Revise your sentences. Revise your expectations. Revise your self-confidence.

“At least”

Oof. This one strikes a personal chord with me. A few years ago I watched a brilliant TED Talk given by Dr Brené Brown on the difference between showing empathy and sympathy. (Brown is a research professor and the best-selling author of “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead,” which is also listed in the Further Reading section of this book). In this talk, Brown explains how empathy fuels connection, but sympathy drives disconnection. Acting or responding with empathy means we try to take on the perspective of the person we’re speaking with, and really recognize their perspective as their truth. It also means we refrain from judgment (which Lord knows can be hard!), and communicate in a way that respects their emotions and lets them know that they are not alone.

Rarely, if ever, does an empathetic response begin with “at least…” Someone shares something with us that’s hard to say, maybe even painful, and “at least” diminishes their contribution by trying to paint a silver lining around it.

As Brown articulates so pointedly: “Empathy is a choice, and it’s a vulnerable choice, because in order to connect with others, we have to connect with something in ourselves that shares the same feeling they are experiencing. The truth is, rarely can a verbal response make something better. What makes something better is creating a connection.”

Removing the phrase “at least” from your speaking vocabulary will help improve the quality of your genuine connections with others, and help bring you closer to them, rather than creating a wall (as innocent and unintentional as it may be) of disconnect.

“It’s not fair”

Do I even need to elaborate on this one? Not to be harsh or anything but… life’s not fair people. Everyone knows this. And that’s why this phrase is extra-harmful to your confidence and self-worth. Saying “it’s not fair” suggests that you think life is supposed to be fair, which makes you look immature and naïve. It basically destroys your credibility.

Instead, stick to the facts, stay constructive and think positively. Instead of crying to yourself that “It’s not fair that Chelsea got the part over me!,” make the choice to act constructively. Did you do the best you could? Did you prepare thoroughly? Is there anyone you can ask for feedback on what went into the decision or how you could improve for next time? (Important Tip: It never hurts to ask! Really.) If you don’t strive to learn from your experiences, you’ll be sure to repeat them.

“This is probably a stupid question, but…”

First of all, you shouldn’t believe that ANYTHING that comes out of your mouth is stupid. That’s issue numero uno.

Issue number two would be all the negative self-talk that’s sneakily wrapped into that phrase. To everyone else in the room, the question you are about to ask could be a perfectly normal question. Or worse yet, it could be a question that they themselves have. So not only are you inadvertently calling yourself stupid for asking it, you’re inferring that they are stupid as well! Yikes.

These overly passive phrases instantly erode your credibility. Even if you follow these phrases with a great idea, they suggest that you lack confidence, which makes the people you’re speaking to lose confidence in you. Don’t be your own worst critic. If you’re not confident in what you’re saying, no one else will be either. And, if you really don’t know something, say, “I don’t have that information right now, but I’ll find out and get right back to you.”

“It’s not my fault”

This phrase, and any others like it signify one thing: lack of ownership. Ownership is indicative of confidence, control, and – most importantly – responsibility. If you utter the phrase “it’s not my fault” (even if it’s not your fault!), you’re essentially saying, “I’m not responsible” – “I’m not an active participant in the outcome of my life.” Furthermore, by removing yourself from the situation, you’re subtlety pointing the blame finger at someone else. And the moment you start pointing fingers at someone else, people will begin seeing you as someone lacks accountability for their actions, pride in the work, and general confidence in their abilities.

“I can’t.”

This one is the worst! Mostly because it’s a lie. 99% percent of the time, when we utter the phrase, “I can’t,” what we’re really saying is, “I won’t.” And guess what? People don’t like hearing “I won’t” when they ask you to do something. Saying “I can’t” suggests that you’re not willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

If you really can’t do something because something out of your control is interfering, then you need to offer an alternative solution. For example, “No, I can’t meet you to review that presentation today. But, how about tomorrow morning at 10:00 am?” Be specific in your alternative suggestion. A vague, open-ended alternative suggestion is just as bad as no suggestion at all.

But what’s worse about the phrase “I can’t” is the mental damage is does when you utter it. Just as positive affirmations can transform your thinking and abilities for the better, negative affirmations can wreck your confidence.

There’s a reason actress Gina Rodrigues’ 2015 Golden Globe acceptance speech for Best Actress in a TV Comedy made waves on social media – her powerful mantra, “I can and I will,” struck a chord with the hearts and minds of viewers everywhere. Because, more often than not, the answer is “I can… And I will.” And sometimes it’s as simple as affirming that belief out loud to transform your outlook.