The words we choose are more important than you may think. The quality of our speech is truly significant because it instantly reveals our self-discipline, education, and background. The measure of our cultivation is made evident the moment we speak to one another. Of course, we all come from different parts of the world and have regional and foreign accents. Pronunciation is evident in speech but we do not always understand each other clearly because of our accents. Expressions on a national level vary from one section of a country to another but we must be aware that these differences exist, especially when we find ourselves in another part of the country. Everyone’s vocabulary isn’t perfect but in order to make it crisper let us look at phrases and expressions that we should never say and say instead.

Never say                                                                                Say instead       
                                                   
Gentleman friend                                                                    "A man who is a friend of mine"

Lady friend                                                                              "A woman who is a friend of
                                                                                                 mine"

I desire to purchase                                                                 I would like to buy

Request (suitable for third-person                                          Ask (the proper word under        
                invitations or official communications)                   usual circumstances)

I presume                                                                                 I suppose

Converse                                                                                 Talk

I will ascertain                                                                         I will find out

Residence                                                                               House

Realtor (except as a technical term)                                     Real estate agent

Pardon me!                                                                              I beg your pardon, or, Excuse
                                                                                                 me! Or, I’m sorry!

An invite                                                                                  An invitation

The wife                                                                                  My wife

Folks                                                                                        Family

If you are traveling be aware of where you are geographically, get accustomed to the culture and ethnicity. By doing so, you will be more comfortable pronouncing unfamiliar words and getting acquainted with the country’s vocabulary. It is said that the Boston accent is very crisp and is considered by some the best English spoken in America.

Boston accent is considered by some the best English spoken in America, who would have known?

The speech of Boston may be one of the best, but the pronunciation of New York may be considered the generally accepted speech of Americans. For the non-traveler, choose a book and read it aloud to yourself, looking up words your unfamiliar with, and learn the meaning as well as the correct pronunciation. After you can pronounce the words, read it aloud again, this time trying to speak naturally as if you were talking to your friend. Doing this exercise will definitely increase your vocabulary and your pronunciation of unfamiliar words. Remember, choosing the right words, phrases, and expressions are vital during conversation. The world is a reflection of self; the words you choose ultimately illustrate your background, education, and persona.