phrases that sounds like i'm engaging but means nothing Flashcards
(62 cards)
Polite filler to acknowledge without committing?
“I see what you mean.”
Safe. Sounds open. Reveals nothing.
Phrase that sounds reflective but stays vague?
“That’s definitely something to think about.”
You didn’t say you will think about it.
Neutral emotional echo?
“That must have been a lot.”
Sounds empathic. You offered zero emotional entry.
Safe pseudo-agreement?
“Yeah, I can understand that perspective.”
Understanding ≠ alignment.
Phrase to nod without saying anything personal?
“I get where that’s coming from.”
Socially acceptable. Emotionally vacant.
Tidy deflection when they want a personal reaction?
“That’s one way to look at it.”
Also implies: not my way.
Verbal softener that doesn’t invite follow-up?
“Sounds intense.”
Matches tone. Blocks energy.
Neutral filler that ends the topic?
“That’s valid.”
Permission to move on. No emotion attached.
False signal of future engagement?
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Non-binding. Clean. Dead-end.
Meaningless agreement that stalls their push?
“That’s interesting.”
They think you’re listening. You’ve already moved on.
Low-energy agreement with no emotional investment?
“Yeah, that’s fair.”
Fair ≠ meaningful. It ends the topic politely.
Phrase to “respond” without giving a real opinion?
“People definitely respond to that in different ways.”
Gives them nothing. Looks like insight.
Safe-sounding “acknowledgment” when you don’t want to go deeper?
“I’ve heard that before.”
Neutral. Doesn’t mean you agree. Doesn’t mean you care.
Gentle staller that makes them feel heard while you stay neutral?
“That’s a pretty common reaction.”
Validates others. Reveals nothing about you.
Phrase that sounds like reflection but shuts the door?
“It makes sense that some people feel that way.”
“Some people” = not necessarily you.
Filler that sounds like you’re about to share but doesn’t deliver?
“I guess that depends.”
They’ll wait. You won’t continue.
Dead-end that mimics empathy?
“Yeah, I can see how that would happen.”
Nods to their point. Doesn’t open yours.
Phrase that sounds like agreement but dodges personal stance?
“That aligns with what I’ve seen before.”
“What I’ve seen” ≠ what I believe. It’s neutral reporting.
Soft stop when they expect emotional depth?
“I think that’s a pretty common theme.”
You flattened the topic without outright shutting it down.
Verbal shrug in professional packaging?
“It is what it is.”
Emotionless. Final. Uninviting.
Phrase that implies depth but delivers nothing?
“That’s layered.”
Sounds thoughtful. Offers zero content.
Polite deflection when they want more?
“There’s probably a lot to unpack there.”
You won’t be unpacking it.
Vague closure phrase that sounds like you reflected?
“I think everyone has a different experience with that.”
Non-committal. Non-revealing. Smooth.
Looks like agreement, but emotionally empty?
“True.”
Single word. No emotion. No elaboration.
