Stop Overusing “Nice”

Today, let’s look at the pitfall that many learners of English (as well as native English speakers) stumble upon— and that’s the overreliance on the word “nice.”  Sometimes “nice” is the perfect word for what we mean to say. Often, however, beginners use it inappropriately, and people proficient in English overuse it, leading to bland, imprecise communication.

Recently, I was speaking with a student who told me that his knowledge of English grammar used to be “very nice”. What he meant to say was that his knowledge used to be “very good”.  I suggested that next time, to impress someone with his vocabulary, he could say; “My knowledge of English grammar used to be “stellar”.

Here are some alternative words to “nice” to use in academic, business or social situations:

ACADEMIC PRECISION

Students with a rich, precise vocabulary excel in academic settings.

To express:	Instead of:	Try:
quality descriptions	“nice details”	“precise details” “thorough details”
approval	“nice idea”	“innovative idea” “thought-provoking idea”
positive feedback	*“nice work” (“nice” is often a good choice to describe quality work)	“commendable work” “exemplary work”

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

In business, using words that are more accurate lend to your credibility.

To express:	Instead of:	Try:
good quality work	*“nice job” (“nice” is often a good choice to describe quality work)	“stellar job” “impressive job” “excellent” job”
positive outcomes	“nice results”	“satisfactory results” “remarkable results”
pleasant collaborators	“nice colleagues”	“supportive colleagues” “cooperative colleagues” “sociable colleagues”

SOCIAL AND CASUAL SETTINGS

Using a varied vocabulary can make conversations more nuanced and engaging.

To express:	Instead of:	Try:
kindness	“nice person”	“kind”, “kind-hearted”, “friendly”, “amiable”  person
appreciation of appearance	“nice dress”	“stylish“, “classy“, “elegant“, “stunning“, “pretty“,  “beautiful“ dress
an enjoyable experience	“nice event”	“”memorable“, “delightful“, “lovely“, “epic“ event

Look up synonyms for “nice”

While “nice” is a useful, versatile word, it can also be dull and almost meaningless. There are so many words you can use instead. Why not convey your thoughts with greater precision and flair? 

If you’d like to explore vocabulary in general, including the pronunciation of new words, please consider my online conversation classes. These classes offer a great opportunity to use language in context, while engaging in real conversations. Contact me for more information!

The video below outlines seven categories of meaning for the word “nice” – with synonyms for each meaning. Take a look – and let me know what other, more interesting words you like to use instead of “nice”.