Stop. Just stop.
Your readers don’t care how many fancy words you know. Big words are not impressive. They’re annoying.
They will leave in a flash.
If you want an audience write like a human being. Not a textbook.
That’s why 5 sentences ago I didn’t say:
The readership exhibits minimal concern regarding the breadth of one’s linguistic opulence or the deployment of elevated vocabulary.
I said: Your readers don’t care how many fancy words you know. Clean and short.
Big words kill your personality.
Nobody follows you online to feel dumb. They follow you because you say something real—something that sounds like you.
People follow people, not dictionaries.
Your readers want to connect with the writer behind the words. With your voice. But if your writing sounds like you’re trying to ace an English exam, readers won’t feel any human connection at all.
Your voice disappears when your writing is full of stiff & formal language.
Only use language you know for sure that your audience is familiar with. You’re having a conversation.
Show your personality. Tell them what you really think. Share your genuine opinions—even if they’re messy or controversial or imperfect.
❌ “Utilizing verbose language constructs an unnecessary barrier between the author and their audience.”
✅ “Using fancy words just pushes your readers away.”
See how the second one actually sounds like something you’d say in conversation?
Break grammar rules — on purpose.
Grammar isn’t your boss. It’s a tool, and you get to choose when (and how) you use it.
Break the rules occasionally to sound more conversational. Incomplete sentences? Starting sentences with “And” or “But”? Go for it.
Keep it real!
❌ “It is imperative that you adhere strictly to conventional grammar guidelines.”
✅ “Forget strict grammar rules. Seriously.”
You won’t fail any tests. In fact, you’ll pass the most important one: capturing your reader’s attention.
Keep it casual and conversational.
Your goal should always be to make readers feel like they’re having a conversation—not deciphering some soulless piece of text.
Here’s a litmus test: Could someone comfortably say this sentence out loud?
If the answer’s no, rewrite it.
❌ “The author’s utilization of overly complex vocabulary serves merely to obfuscate their intended meaning.”
✅ “Using complicated words just confuses readers.”
See the difference? One is clear, conversational, and easy to digest. The other makes readers’ eyes glaze over.
They want your genuine voice. They want to hear your unique personality shine through.
- If you’re sarcastic, let that sarcasm flow.
- If you’re playful, sprinkle humor throughout.
- If you’re brutally honest, let readers feel the sting.
People are just much more likely to stay when they feel a social connection to the writing and using formal grammar drastically reduces the chances of this.