How can I learn to talk like a well educated person?

Question

How can I learn to use big words instead of simple words for example, instead of using the word "use" in a sentence it would be much more proffesional to use the word "Utilized" which has the same meaning.

Answer 1

Read read read. You might want to indulge in reading a dictionary from time to time. However, when you speak like an educated person and use big words, folks might not understand what you are trying to say. Sometimes its just best to speak in plain language so that you can get your point across.

Answer 2

Read. Read lots. In books, authors often do use the bigger words where smaller ones would just as easily suffice. As you're learning to use a larger vocabulary, however, prepare for resistance and some potentially-embarrassing situations. The resistance will come from those who do not wish to have their own vocabularies stretched. They may accuse you of putting on airs or trying to be someone you're not. The potentially-embarrassing situations may come when you use a big word incorrectly. When you add a new word to your vocabulary, be sure you understand (check the dictionary) exactly how it's to be used and how its different forms are made.

I have a couple of different friends who sometimes try to use big words but really don't use them correctly. One gentleman used the word "histrionics" when he really wanted a fancier version of "history." Histrionics, of course, means theatrical hysterics. Didn't work for him -- especially since most of the rest of us knew the word. Oooops. Educated, he did not sound.

Another friend was trying to use the word 'exegesis' in its adjectival form but didn't know it. I had already used the word 'exegetically' (I thought it would help her because I thought she was looking for that word) but she didn't catch it. Coming up with "exegesisly" really didn't help her sound educated at all, as you can well surmise.

As to your originial question, I would personally re-phrase it to ask how you can "learn to speak like a well-educated person." That would be one step. Be careful not to use your big words just to sound important. That is often quite transparent and simply makes you seem pompous, not educated. Really study and learn the words, and choose the best (not just the biggest) one for what you want to communicate. That will make you seem much better-educated. Also, the truly well-educated often tend to enunciate better than those who are not. Speak clearly; take your time and say the whole word. Avoiding slang also makes one seem better-educated.

Answer 3

Read as much as possible. When you come to a word you don't know the meaning of, look it up, and keep in mind how it was used in the book. There's nothing more embarrassing that misuing a word..that's worse than just keeping it simple. Also, investing in a thesaurus wouldn't hurt. Just think of a common word...look it up and see the other words that can be used in place of it.

Answer 4

Read the dictionary and add 10 words a week that you haven't used before; and try to use each of the 10 words on 7 different occasions in the correct context of how it is meant--then you own the word! The next week add 10 more words--and so on and so on.
Do crossword puzzles too.
It worked for me.

Answer 5

Short of taking your life back to square one, you cannot become a well-educated person, although it is quite possible to educate yourself in specific areas of your choosing. As for big words, the better your doctor (a well-educated person) is, the the less likely he or she is to use big words. His/her objective is to make themself understood by you - not to impress you. That's how well-educated people operate.
So my advice to you is to listen to yourself speak - to friends or workmates, and ask yourself to what extent you have fallen into lazy, slangy, dialogue. You will notice that you use certain words automatically and frequently without really conveying any meaning. Stop doing it. In short, don't use long words, use the right words.

Answer 6

actually while most well educated ppl a truly educated person uses language that is easily understandable to everyone while still having the ability to maintain fluency and poise.

Answer 7

Read books and stretch your knowledge base. The more you read and learn, the more intelligent you will present yourself to society. Refrain from speaking slang and in general if you swear I think it makes you appear less sophisticated...

Answer 8

Become well-educated. It's never too late. Build your vocabulary. I know that this program is very successful: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591507669?ie=UTF8&tag=teacandtech-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1591507669

Plus, the more you read, the more you will know.