Simple is better

🎧 Article length: about 4 minutes

The key to communicating with confidence

Language learning isn’t just about mastering fancy grammar structures and complex sentences—it’s about being understood. And sometimes, the best way to do that is by keeping things simple.

If you ever find yourself in a moment of panic, struggling to manoeuvre your way through an overly complicated sentence, take a step back. Look at the expression on the other person’s face—if it’s one of complete confusion, it’s time to simplify.

Breaking what you want to say into three short statements is always easier than pushing through a tangled, convoluted sentence. Simplicity removes the pressure, keeps the conversation flowing, and gives you a chance to get your message across clearly.

You can always come back and attempt that complex sentence later. But once you hit the realms of panic, there’s no way you’ll get through it smoothly.

A short sentence gives you control. You always know where you are with a simple, clear statement. And most importantly, so does the person you’re speaking to.

So next time you feel yourself getting stuck—pause, simplify, and keep the conversation moving.

Ordering food: it's time to simplify

Imagine you're at a restaurant and want to order food. You might try saying:

❌ “Hello, I would like to order a burger, but I don’t want any onions on it, and instead of fries, could I have a side salad? Also, could you bring me some extra ketchup, please?”

That’s a lot to say all in one go!
If you’re learning a new language, you might struggle to get through that whole sentence, especially under pressure. Instead, break it down into short, simple statements:

✅ Hello. I would like a burger.
✅ No onions, please.
✅ Can I have a salad instead of fries?
✅ Can I have extra ketchup, please?

Now, even if you forget part of your sentence, you always know where you are in the conversation. Short statements help you stay calm, be understood, and feel more confident when speaking.

When things get complicated: how to simplify

Have a look at the complex sentence below and let's break it down into three short, simple statements:

❌ “Since I was feeling incredibly tired after a long day at work, I decided that instead of cooking dinner, I would order some food, but then I realized I didn’t have my phone, so I had to go and find it before I could place my order.”

Here’s how that sentence could be broken down into three simpler sentences:

✅ I was very tired after a long day at work.
✅ I decided to order food instead of cooking.
✅ I couldn’t find my phone, so I had to look for it before placing my order.

This keeps the meaning intact but makes it much easier to follow. It also prevents you from getting lost mid-sentence, which often happens when trying to say something too complex in a new language.

We could break it down even further into very short and simple utterances:

✅ I was very tired.
✅ I worked all day.

✅ I wanted food.
✅ I didn’t want to cook.
✅ I decided to order food.

✅ I couldn’t find my phone.
✅ I looked for my phone.
✅ Then I ordered food.

Now, it’s easier to say, easier to understand, and easier to remember!

Try this technique with your own sentences and see how much simpler communication becomes.

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