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When writing an article, being easily understood by my reader is my first and foremost goal. But on a higher level, I want it to look and sound more impressive. In this manner, I would usually use complex vocabulary to appear smarter.

Using common words could look uninteresting; thus, not worth reading at all. It seems so predictable at once.

So, any rules, for that matter, to create an impression in writing? What big words should be used that would not be branded as highfalutin?

Listed below are some normal sentences and their advanced counterparts:

(N-normal; A-advanced)

N: I’m eating.
A: I’m having a meal.
Sentence: Don’t disturb me. I’m having a meal.
N: I’m hungry.
A: I’m starving.
Sentence: I skipped lunch, and I’m starving.
N: I’m very busy.
A: I’m swamped.
Sentence: I’m swamped with work at the moment.
N: Sorry, I fell asleep.
A: Sorry, I nodded off.
Sentence: I nodded off several times in class today and had to apologize to my professor.
N: He is lazy.
A: He is a couch potato.
Sentence: Our son has become a real couch potato this summer.
N: You are so lucky.
A: You are so jammy.
Sentence: He has a jammy job.
N: I like you a lot.
A: I’m so into you.
Sentence: Can’t you see? I’m so into you.
N: I’m fit and healthy.
A: I’m fit as a fiddle.
Sentence: My grandmother’s 89, but she’s as fit as a fiddle.
N: I’m very tired.
A: I’m worn out.
Sentence: I’ve been working all night, and I’m worn out.
N: Text me in advance.
A: Hit me up in advance.
Sentence: Annie, hit me up if you’re reading this.
N: Can I come?
A: Can I drop in?
Sentence: Whenever I’m up there, I always drop in.
N: Stop wasting time.
A: Stop faffing around.
Sentence: I told him to stop faffing around and wash the dishes.
N: I’m not sure.
A: I’m on the fence.
Sentence: Has he decided whether he will take the job yet?
No, he’s still on the fence.
Normal: I’m very happy.
Advanced: I’m over the moon.
Sentence: When he sent me flowers and a note, I was over the moon.
Normal: Keep it a secret.
Advanced: Keep it under wraps.
Sentence: They tried to keep the report under wraps.

Keep on practicing these sentences and show off your eloquence.

English