Ditch the Word “Very”! Use These Powerful Alternatives Instead!

Intermediate Level | June 14, 2025

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Have you ever noticed how often people say the word “very”?
Very good …Very nice … Very big.
It’s simple—but not always very strong.

If you want to sound more professional, natural, and interesting in English, you need stronger words. Today, we’ll learn how to stop using “very” and start using better vocabulary that makes your speech more powerful. These are great alternatives to using very that will upgrade your professional English.

Why You Should Avoid “Very”

Using “very” isn’t wrong—but it’s weak. Native speakers often replace “very + adjective” with a stronger word. For example, instead of saying “very good,” you can say “excellent.”

These stronger words help you sound more confident and natural, especially in professional situations. They also make your conversations, emails, and presentations more clear and interesting. Learning these alternatives to using very will immediately improve your communication.

Stronger Alternatives to Using Very You Can Use

Let’s look at some simple replacements you can use right away:

Very good → Excellent
“The presentation was excellent.”
Very bad → Terrible
“The weather was terrible yesterday.”
Very big → Huge
“We just signed a huge contract.”
Very small → Tiny
“There’s only a tiny chance of delay.”
Very happy → Thrilled
“I’m thrilled about the promotion.”
Very sad → Devastated
“He was devastated by the news.”
Very tired → Exhausted
“I was exhausted after the trip.”
Very fast → Rapid
“We saw rapid growth this quarter.”
Very slow → Sluggish
“The market was sluggish last week.”
Very important → Crucial
“It’s crucial that we meet the deadline.”

Simple Formula to Upgrade Your English

You can train yourself to listen for “very” and replace it with a stronger word. Here’s the formula:

“Very + adjective” → Stronger word

For example:
Instead of: The report was very important.
Say: The report was crucial.

It’s simple, clear, and much more powerful.

Quick Practice

Here are a few practice sentences. Try replacing “very” with a stronger word:

The meeting was very good.
The client is very happy.
The deadline is very important.
The response time was very slow.
I feel very tired today.

Now, read your new sentences aloud. Practice makes it feel natural!

Why Learning Alternatives to Using Very Matters at Work

Using stronger words shows your confidence and professionalism. It helps you communicate clearly in meetings, emails, and presentations. You sound more fluent and natural. And people will listen to you more carefully.

Remember:

Clear language builds trust.
Stronger words show confidence.
Practice helps you grow.

You don’t need to sound “perfect.” You just need to sound natural and clear.

Vocabulary List

Excellent (adjective) — Extremely good
Example: The service was excellent.
Terrible (adjective) — Extremely bad
Example: The food was terrible.
Huge (adjective) — Extremely big
Example: The company made a huge profit.
Tiny (adjective) — Extremely small
Example: The error was tiny.
Thrilled (adjective) — Extremely happy
Example: I’m thrilled about my new job.
Devastated (adjective) — Extremely sad
Example: She was devastated after hearing the news.
Exhausted (adjective) — Extremely tired
Example: He was exhausted after the flight.
Rapid (adjective) — Extremely fast
Example: The company saw rapid sales growth.
Sluggish (adjective) — Extremely slow
Example: The economy is sluggish this year.
Crucial (adjective) — Extremely important
Example: Meeting this deadline is crucial.

5 Questions About the Article

Why is using “very” not always the best choice?
What is a better word for “very good”?
Give an example of replacing “very tired” with a stronger word.
How does stronger vocabulary help in business communication?
What simple formula can help you replace “very”?

5 Open-Ended Discussion Questions

Which of these words do you use most often?
Can you think of other words that replace “very”?
Why do you think stronger words sound more professional?
How would you practice using stronger words in meetings?
Share a sentence from your work where you can replace “very” with a better word.

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