Guide 116 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read

Better ways to say “I just want to”

Three words of pre-apology.

i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler

"Just" is a shrinking word — it apologises for your presence in the sentence. "I wanted to," "I'm writing to," or the verb alone all sound firmer and friendlier.

ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo

Before

I just wanted to follow up on the invoice.

After

I'm following up on the invoice.

iii · The alternatives4 ways out

01

I'm writing to neutral

email opener

I'm writing to follow up on the invoice.
02

I wanted to neutral

warmer, still plain

I wanted to follow up on the invoice.
03

Following up neutral

dropping "I" entirely

Following up on the invoice.
04

[the verb directly] neutral

most confident

Is the invoice paid?

iv · Brew tipKeep this one

Try deleting "just" wherever you see it. You'll find the sentence stands.