The Flaw: "Women may offer this knee-jerk response when they're asked to do something they don't want to do," says Laurie Puhn, author of Instant Persuasion: How to Change Your Words to Change Your Life. "It's a way to stall until you make a decision." But, notes Puhn, it also sets you up for twofold failure: You'll feel pressured to consent in the end, and wind up resenting the person who asked.

The Fix: Instead of immediately agreeing to an unappealing request, say, "'ll think about it — can I get back to you by Wednesday at 5 p.m.?" You'll be able to mull things over, and citing a "decision time" puts you in the driver's seat.

The Flub: "I think…"

The Flaw: "We often use this phrase when we want to correct someone but fear offending them," says Puhn. It takes courage to tell someone they're flat-out wrong, and packaging your statement as opinion — not fact — is obviously a less risky route. If you want to get your point across, however, you have to be a bit more direct.

The Fix: Try a compliment with a twist. Instead of, "I think your method may be OK,” say, "That's interesting, but have you ever looked at it like this?" You give another’s viewpoint validity, and make your own feelings clear.

The Flub: "I’m sorry, but…"

The Flaw: When you're trying to grab someone's attention without seeming too abrupt, Puhn notes, it's tempting to start out with an apology. "But while you may think you're just being polite, justifying your needs immediately discredits you." You may feel awkward interrupting — or even, say, approaching a stranger to ask for directions — but generally, you're not offending or startling anyone!

The Fix: Before the phrase pops out of your mouth, stop and think, What exactly am I sorry for? Have I done anything wrong? Chances are, you haven’t. So simply say, "Excuse me."

The Flub: "You know?"

The Flaw: Many utter these words unconsciously, as if to say, "Are you listening to me?" says Puhn. "But tacking this phrase to the end of a statement screams uncertainty. Even if you are well versed in what you’re talking about, when you end your thought with a question, others will think you’re seeking approval." The result? People won’t take your message seriously.

The Fix: Be silent. If you suspect your mom has tuned out during a phone conversation, pause for a few seconds to assess her interest level and give her a chance to engage. Letting her speak without prompting her gives you a clear sense of whether or not she was paying attention, and how much she really took in.