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

build

verb
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Terms in this set (41)
build

verb
to develop something gradually so that it becomes larger, more powerful, more successful

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
suspense

adj
the feeling of excitement or nervousness that you have when you are waiting for something to happen and are uncertain about what it is going to be.

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
defensive

adj
trying to protect someone or something from harm or attack.

1. Pauses aren't always a defensive tactic.
tactic

noun
a planned method for achieving a particular result.

1. Pauses aren't always a defensive tactic.
strategically

adverb
in a way that relates to what an organization, country, etc. wants to achieve and how it plans actions and uses resources to do this.

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
place

noun
a particular position

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
emphasize a point

phrase
to state or show that something is especially important or deserves special attention.

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
absorb

verb
to take something in, especially gradually

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
key

adj
very important and having a lot of influence on people or things.

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. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
insight

noun
a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation, or the ability to have such an understanding.

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
(to) give (someone) a chance phrasal verbTo allow someone the opportunity to do something 1. Like filler words, pauses give you a chance to take a break and figure out what comes next.(to) take a break idiomto stop doing something for a short period of time 1. Like filler words, pauses give you a chance to take a break and figure out what comes next.(to) figure out (something) (to) figure (something) out phrasal verbto understand or solve something. 1. Like filler words, pauses give you a chance to take a break and figure out what comes next. 2. The problem is complex and I hope our IT team can figure it out.however adverbdespite this; nevertheless. 1. However, a pause makes you sound confident and in control, whereas overused filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you don't know what to say.in control phraseable to direct a situation, person, or activity. 1. However, a pause makes you sound confident and in control, whereas overused filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you don't know what to say.overused verbto use something too often or too much 1. However, a pause makes you sound confident and in control, whereas overused filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you don't know what to say.don't know what to say idiomconfused, not prepared 1. However, a pause makes you sound confident and in control, whereas overused filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you don't know what to say.(to) silence verbto make someone or something be quiet. 1. Three Steps to Silencing Crutch Wordsbiting your nails phraseA sign of anxiety, impatience, or nervousness when you put your teeth into your fingernails 1. The first step in changing any habit — whether it's biting your nails or peppering every sentence with "you know" — is awarenesspeppering verbto say something many times in a short period of time 1. The first step in changing any habit — whether it's biting your nails or peppering every sentence with "you know" — is awarenessawareness nounknowledge and understanding of a particular activity, subject, etc. 1. The first step in changing any habit — whether it's biting your nails or peppering every sentence with "you know" — is awareness(to) monitor verbto watch and check something carefully over a period of time. 1. Have a family member or close friend monitor your filler words and bring your attention to them with a clap or snap.cognizant adjunderstanding or realizing something. 1. Next, once you've become cognizant of your filler words as they try to escape your lips, begin forcing yourself to be silent.escape verbto become free or get free from, or to avoid something. 1. Next, once you've become cognizant of your filler words as they try to escape your lips, begin forcing yourself to be silent.(to) force (someone) to do (something) phrasal verbto push or persuade someone into taking action 1. Next, once you've become cognizant of your filler words as they try to escape your lips, begin forcing yourself to be silent.(to) recall verbto bring the memory of a past event into your mind. 1. Practice using pauses instead of filler words as you recall the events.(to) stress the importance of (something) phrasal verbto emphasize something. 1. Finally, I can't stress the importance of preparation enough..trip over something phrasal verbTo have difficulty saying something clearly or correctly 1. The less prepared you are, the more nervous you'll be, which will likely cause you to speak too quickly, trip over your words, and forget what's next.optimal adjthe best or most effective possible outcome in a particular situation. 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.ratio nounthe relationship between two amounts, represented by two numbers or a percentage, expressing how much bigger one is than the other. 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.preparation nounthe state of being ready for something that will happen, or an action taken to become ready. 1. Finally, I can't stress the importance of preparation enough. 2. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience. 3. But when they become crutch words, used out of nervousness or lack of preparation, they hurt your credibility.at the very least phraseat a minimum, the smallest amount of something that is needed to do something 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.(to) get in at least (something) phrasal verbto do a minimum of something 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.full run idiompractice session 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.(to) step in front of (something) phrasal verbto put oneself in a position before a group 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.sparingly adverbin small amounts, or without wasting any. 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.relatable adjthat someone can understand or feel sympathy for. 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.catch your breath idiomto pause or rest for a short time until you can breathe comfortably or regularly again. 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.hurt verbto cause harm or difficulty. 1. But when they become crutch words, used out of nervousness or lack of preparation, they hurt your credibility.(to) gather your thoughts phrasal verbto make an effort to become calm and think more clearly. 1. Then, next time you're in front of an audience, use silence to gather your thoughts, rather than filling the air with sound.filling the air with sound idiommaking some noise so there isn't silence 1. Then, next time you're in front of an audience, use silence to gather your thoughts, rather than filling the air with sound.