The One Word I’d Give Up

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

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We all have favorite words. The ones that sneak into our sentences, the ones we sprinkle into conversations without even realizing. For me, that word is “actually.”

It’s a small word, harmless on its own. Yet somehow, it has found its way into almost everything I say and write. “Actually, I like that idea.” “Actually, I’ve been there before.” “Actually, it’s not that complicated.”

See what I mean?

If I had to give up one word that I use regularly, it would be “actually.” Not because I dislike it, but because I rely on it too much. It’s like the comfort food of language—always filling in the gaps, softening a statement, or making me sound more thoughtful than I sometimes feel.

But what would happen if I let it go? My sentences would stand taller on their own. My thoughts would arrive sharper, cleaner, without the need for a tiny word propping them up. Instead of saying, “Actually, that’s true,” I’d simply say, “That’s true.”

Giving up a word feels strange, like parting with a habit or a little friend that has walked with me through countless conversations. And yet, I know that sometimes letting go allows space for something new to grow—new expressions, stronger phrasing, clearer thoughts.

So yes, if I had to give up one word, “actually” would be the one. And maybe, in losing it, I’d discover just how much stronger my voice can sound without the extra padding.

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