People who use these 8 phrases think they’re always right

We’ve all come across them. Those people who confidently use certain phrases, convinced they’re always right.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Like that know-it-all colleague who insists their way is the only way, or the friend who can’t stand to be challenged.

It can be irritating, maybe even intimidating. But guess what? You’re not alone in feeling this way.

Often, we don’t realize that these people are merely using specific phrases to assert their perceived superiority. And most of the time, they’re not even aware of it.

So today, we’re going to delve into these tell-tale phrases. But I must warn you – some of them might hit close to home.

As you read on, remember this – my aim isn’t to judge or criticize. It’s simply to shed some light on the patterns we often overlook.

Let’s dive in!

1) “I’m just saying…”

Now, this is a phrase I’ve heard far too often. Let me take you back to my college days. I had a roommate, let’s call him Joe.

Joe was quite the character, always having an opinion on everything. From who the best basketball player was to which was the best pizza place in town – Joe had a say on it all.

And his favorite phrase? “I’m just saying…”

You see, “I’m just saying…” was Joe’s way of subtly asserting his opinion as fact. It was his way of saying, “I’m right, and there’s no room for discussion.”

But it was also his way of shielding himself from confrontation or debate — because hey, he’s just saying, right? So if you’re upset, that’s not his problem.

Basically, it places the burden of offense on the listener rather than the speaker who made the offensive remark.

2) “Trust me…”

Another one that takes me back to the past, this time to my first job, is the phrase “Trust me…”

My manager would use this phrase right before making a decision that many of us didn’t agree with. It felt like she used it to silence any objections or doubts we might have had.

“Trust me, you’ll thank me later,” she’d say with an air of confidence that left little room for argument.

Over time, I noticed that this phrase wasn’t so much about trust as it was about asserting authority and dismissing other viewpoints.

In scenarios like this, the phrase is used more to assert dominance than to foster an open discussion.

3) “Everyone knows that…”

This phrase is a classic. It’s used as a way to make an opinion seem like common knowledge, thus making it harder to dispute.

But here’s something you might not know – this tactic actually has a name. It’s called the “bandwagon fallacy“.

The bandwagon fallacy assumes that if a belief is widely held, it must be correct.

However, history is full of examples where widely held beliefs were proven wrong. For instance, there was a time when everyone believed the Earth was flat, remember?

Using “everyone knows that…” to assert your point doesn’t necessarily make it right; it just shows you’re unwilling to entertain other perspectives.

4) “It’s obvious that…”

Another phrase that people who think they’re right often use is “It’s obvious that…”

Or its much shorter version: “Obviously…”

Why is this a tough one to hear? Because it can make you feel like your viewpoint is being dismissed, or worse, that you’re being seen as less intelligent for not seeing this ‘obvious’ fact.

I recall a time when a dear friend was going through a rough patch in her marriage. She confided in another friend who responded with “It’s obvious that you need to leave him.”

This statement was not only hurtful but also dismissive of the complexities of her situation. What may seem ‘obvious’ to one person may be far from clear to another.

It’s a phrase that shows a lack of empathy and understanding, and it can deeply hurt those on the receiving end.

5) “No offense, but…”

Ah, the good old “no offense, but…” phrase. When you hear this, better be ready. Something offensive is likely to follow.

It’s like a preemptive strike – an attempt to soften the blow before landing it. The problem is, it rarely works.

It merely sends the message that the speaker is right, and the other person’s feelings or opinions are secondary.

6) “Actually…”

“Actually” is a word that can be used to correct or contradict someone, and it often comes across as condescending.

I remember an old co-worker who used to start his sentences with “actually” whenever he wanted to correct someone’s work or opinion.

For example, when someone said, “The data shows that sales have been steady this month,” he’d jump in with:

“Actually, if you look at the numbers more closely, you’ll see a slight dip in the third week that suggests volatility.”

Sure, his points were often valid, but the way he delivered them made people less inclined to listen. It wasn’t just about the facts; it was also about how those facts were presented.

The word “actually” became a bit of a red flag in our conversations with him. It was his subtle way of asserting his authority and making it clear that he believed he was right.

It signaled that not only was he about to correct you, but he was also subtly implying that you should’ve already known better.

And honestly, who wants to feel like that?

7) “To be honest…”

The phrase “to be honest” is a complex one, and its usage can vary depending on the context and the person using it.

Sometimes people use it as a preface to a difficult or uncomfortable truth, a way to soften the blow so to speak. “To be honest, I don’t think this project is going to work,” might be someone’s way of broaching a tough subject delicately.

However, there are definitely instances where “to be honest” can be used in a manner similar to “actually,” where it serves as a prelude to a statement that implies a sort of moral or intellectual high ground.

It’s as if the person is saying, “What I’m about to say is the ultimate truth, and you should’ve recognized it.”

In such cases, the phrase becomes less about honesty and more about asserting dominance or superiority. The implication here is that the speaker possesses some ultimate truth that others lack.

A person who habitually implies that their opinion is the ‘honest truth’ might not be giving your own perspectives the consideration they deserve.

8) “In my experience…”

“In my experience,” just like the previous phrase, is not inherently bad.

But it can indeed be used at times to dismiss others’ experiences or perspectives.

I’ve seen this happen in social gatherings where one person recalls an experience in a certain way, only to be countered with, “Well, in my experience…” followed by a contradictory statement.

It’s a phrase that subtly prioritizes one perspective over another.

Final thoughts

These phrases might seem harmless at first glance, but they can subtly shape conversations and relationships in a negative way, especially if they come with a certain condescending tone.

By being aware of them, we can better navigate our interactions and foster an environment of respect and open communication.

After all, communication isn’t just about being right; it’s about understanding and learning from one another.