2.2b LEARN Vocabulary from HBR: How to Stop Saying "Um," "Ah,"...

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pinpoint

verb
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Terms in this set (30)
pinpoint

verb
to discover or establish something exactly.

1. We know it's hard to pay attention to a speaker when every third word is a filler, but it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how those verbal crutches are affecting our experience.
sample

noun
a small amount of a substance or product that is tested to find out whether it is good, whether it contains a particular substance, etc.

1. We analyzed over 4,000 spoken communication samples in our database to identify how much speakers are relying on filler words and how those words are affecting the way their audiences perceive them.
identify

verb
to find and be able to describe someone or something.

1. We analyzed over 4,000 spoken communication samples in our database to identify how much speakers are relying on filler words and how those words are affecting the way their audiences perceive them.
2. As you prepare for your next presentation, identify the words you lean on most, and train yourself to avoid them.
3. To identify your crutch words, videotape or review a transcript of your most recent talk, and determine what vocal fillers you rely on most.
(to) rely on (something/someone)

phrasal verb
to depend on or trust someone or something.

1. We analyzed over 4,000 spoken communication samples in our database to identify how much speakers are relying on filler words and how those words are affecting the way their audiences perceive them.
perceive

verb
to think of something in a particular way.

1. We analyzed over 4,000 spoken communication samples in our database to identify how much speakers are relying on filler words and how those words are affecting the way their audiences perceive them.
excessive

adj
too much or too many.

1. While we found that the excessive use of fillers can negatively influence audiences in many ways, three critical factors are significantly negatively correlated with too many fillers.
negatively

adverb
in a bad or harmful way.

1. While we found that the excessive use of fillers can negatively influence audiences in many ways, three critical factors are significantly negatively correlated with too many fillers.
influence

verb
the power to have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this

1. While we found that the excessive use of fillers can negatively influence audiences in many ways, three critical factors are significantly negatively correlated with too many fillers.
critical

adj
Extremely important to the progress or success of something.

1. Seek regular feedback from teachers and mentors while you practice an important speech or work on a critical business proposal.
2. It is critical that a CEO has great communication skills to be an effective leader.
3. This is a critical step in the implementation phase.
4. The CFO made a number of critical decisions that benefitted the company.
factors

noun
one of several things that affects or influences a situation.

1. While we found that the excessive use of fillers can negatively influence audiences in many ways, three critical factors are significantly negatively correlated with too many fillers.
significantly adverbin a way that is easy to see or by a large amount. 1. While we found that the excessive use of fillers can negatively influence audiences in many ways, three critical factors are significantly negatively correlated with too many fillers.get your message across phraseto make someone understand. 1. To get your message across effectively, you have to keep your audience engaged.effectively phrasein a way that successfully achieves the result that you want. 1. Used sparingly and effectively, filler words can make you more relatable to your audience, give you time to catch your breath, and emphasize key points. 2. To get your message across effectively, you have to keep your audience engaged.engaged adjinvolved and attentive 1. To get your message across effectively, you have to keep your audience engaged.(to) hang onto (someone's) every word phrasal verbto give careful attention to something, especially something that someone says. 1. When you use excessive fillers, audiences are less likely to hang onto your every word because the fillers get in the way of the emotional stories or fascinating research you're trying to share.(to) get in the way of (something) phrasal verbto make it difficult for it to happen, continue, or be appreciated properly 1. When you use excessive fillers, audiences are less likely to hang onto your every word because the fillers get in the way of the emotional stories or fascinating research you're trying to share.emotional adj collocationsconnected with or showing feelings. 1. When you use excessive fillers, audiences are less likely to hang onto your every word because the fillers get in the way of the emotional stories or fascinating research you're trying to share. Collocations: emotional stories emotional employeesfascinating adjextremely interesting. 1. When you use excessive fillers, audiences are less likely to hang onto your every word because the fillers get in the way of the emotional stories or fascinating research you're trying to share.share verbto tell someone else about your thoughts, feelings, ideas, etc. 1. When you use excessive fillers, audiences are less likely to hang onto your every word because the fillers get in the way of the emotional stories or fascinating research you're trying to share.casual conversation collocationtalking with people in an informal way 1. While of course most people use fillers in casual conversation, when you bring them with you to the microphone, they distract from your core personality and make you sound nervous, distracted, or disengaged rather than authentic.core adjthe basic and most important part of something 1. While of course most people use fillers in casual conversation, when you bring them with you to the microphone, they distract from your core personality and make you sound nervous, distracted, or disengaged rather than authentic.disengaged adjnot feeling interested or involved in something. 1. While of course most people use fillers in casual conversation, when you bring them with you to the microphone, they distract from your core personality and make you sound nervous, distracted, or disengaged rather than authentic.rather than phraseinstead of; used especially when you prefer one thing to another. 1. While of course, most people use fillers in casual conversation, when you bring them with you to the microphone, they distract from your core personality and make you sound nervous, distracted, or disengaged rather than authentic. 2. Then, next time you're in front of an audience, use silence to gather your thoughts, rather than filling the air with sound.authentic adjbeing what it is claimed to be; genuine. 1. While of course most people use fillers in casual conversation, when you bring them with you to the microphone, they distract from your core personality and make you sound nervous, distracted, or disengaged rather than authentic.(to) filter through (something) phrasal verbto remove something you don't want 1. Unfortunately, filtering through crutch words to catch the important parts requires more cognitive effort than audiences are willing to put forth(to) be willing to do (something) phrasal verbready and willing to take action on something 1. Unfortunately, filtering through crutch words to catch the important parts requires more cognitive effort than audiences are willing to put forth.(to) put forth phrasal verbto suggest an idea for consideration. 1. Unfortunately, filtering through crutch words to catch the important parts requires more cognitive effort than audiences are willing to put forth.(to) tune out (something) (to) tune (something) out phrasal verbto stop paying attention to something or someone. 1. So too many fillers will likely mean they'll tune out in favor of an easier cognitive task —such as thinking about their to-do lists. 2. Our co-worker talked so much, that everyone in the office began to tune her out.cognitive adjrelating to or involving the processes of thinking and reasoning 1. So too many fillers will likely mean they'll tune out in favor of an easier cognitive task —such as thinking about their to-do lists.task nouna piece of work that needs to be done, especially one that is a regular part of someone's job. 1. So too many fillers will likely mean they'll tune out in favor of an easier cognitive task —such as thinking about their to-do lists.