compulsory · CSS study notes
🔄 Native Word Swaps — Ditch the Textbook English
You learned the textbook word. Native speakers usually reach for something shorter, older, and plainer instead. This page pairs the two side by side so you can swap in the natural version without sounding like a dictionary.
Rule of thumb: the fancier the word (Latin-sounding, long, formal), the more likely a native speaker replaces it with a short Anglo-Saxon one in daily speech. Save the fancy words for formal writing — use the plain ones when you talk.
How to Use This Page
- Read the Textbook / Formal column — that's probably what you'd currently say.
- Switch to the Native Speakers Say column in casual conversation, texting, or with friends and coworkers.
- Notice the Example column shows it in a real sentence, not in isolation — words change meaning by context.
- The last block (texting shortcuts) is casual-only — never use those in an email or an exam.
Block A — Formal Verbs → Natural Verbs
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| utilize | use | Just use a spoon, don't overthink it. |
| purchase | buy | I bought a new laptop yesterday. |
| obtain | get | Where did you get that jacket? |
| require | need | You'll need your ID at the gate. |
| assist | help | Can you help me with this box? |
| commence | start | The meeting starts at 9. |
| terminate | end / stop | They ended the contract early. |
| inquire | ask | I'll ask him about it. |
| inform | tell | Tell me when you're ready. |
| demonstrate | show | Show me how it works. |
| endeavor | try | I'll try to fix it tonight. |
| ascertain | find out | Let's find out what happened. |
Block B — Formal Connectors → Natural Connectors
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| prior to | before | Before the game, we grabbed food. |
| subsequent to | after | After the call, send the notes. |
| in order to | to | I left early to catch the bus. |
| due to the fact that | because | We're late because of traffic. |
| in the event that | if | If it rains, we'll stay in. |
| with regard to / regarding | about | I called about the invoice. |
| in addition | also / plus | Also, bring your charger. |
| however | but | I like it, but it's pricey. |
| therefore | so | It's late, so let's head out. |
| nevertheless | still / anyway | It's raining. Still, let's go. |
Block C — Everyday Feelings (Native Reactions)
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I am very happy. | I'm stoked. / I'm so pumped. | I'm stoked for the trip! |
| I am very tired. | I'm beat. / I'm wiped. | I'm beat, gonna crash early. |
| That is very good. | That's awesome. / That's great. | That's awesome, congrats! |
| I do not know. | I have no idea. / Beats me. | Beats me, ask Sarah. |
| I am very hungry. | I'm starving. | I'm starving, let's eat. |
| I am very busy. | I'm slammed. / I'm swamped. | I'm slammed this week. |
| I have no money. | I'm broke. | I'm broke till payday. |
| I agree. | Totally. / For sure. | Totally, same here. |
| That is not true. | No way. / That's not right. | No way, that can't be true. |
| I understand. | Got it. / Gotcha. | Got it, I'll send it now. |
Block D — Talking About Difficulty
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| It is very difficult. | It's tough. / It's a pain. | This form is a real pain. |
| It is very easy. | It's a piece of cake. / It's a breeze. | The test was a breeze. |
| I cannot do it. | I can't manage it. / It's beyond me. | Fixing cars is beyond me. |
| It is complicated. | It's a headache. | Taxes are such a headache. |
| I am confused. | I'm lost. | Wait, I'm lost — say that again? |
| It requires effort. | It takes work. | Getting fit takes work. |
| I cannot understand it. | It's over my head. | Quantum physics is over my head. |
| It is not a problem. | No biggie. / No worries. | No biggie, I'll redo it. |
Block E — Talking About Money
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| It is expensive. | It costs an arm and a leg. / It's pricey. | Rent here is pricey. |
| It is cheap. | It's a steal. / It's dirt cheap. | That laptop was a steal. |
| I do not have enough money. | I'm short on cash. | I'm a bit short on cash right now. |
| I will pay for it. | I got it. / It's on me. | Dinner's on me tonight. |
| Let us split the bill. | Let's go halves. / Let's split it. | Let's just split it evenly. |
| I need to save money. | I'm trying to save up. | I'm saving up for a car. |
| I spent too much. | I overspent. / I went overboard. | I went overboard at the mall. |
| It is a waste of money. | It's not worth it. | That subscription's not worth it. |
Block F — Agreeing / Disagreeing Naturally
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I agree with you. | I'm with you on that. / Same here. | Same here, honestly. |
| I do not agree. | I'm not so sure about that. | I'm not so sure that's right. |
| That is a good idea. | Fair enough. / Sounds good. | Sounds good, let's do it. |
| I think you are wrong. | I'd push back on that. | I'd push back on that a little. |
| Maybe you are right. | You might have a point. | Okay, you might have a point there. |
| I have a different opinion. | I see it differently. | I see it a bit differently, actually. |
| That is correct. | Exactly. / Spot on. | Spot on, that's exactly it. |
| I am not convinced. | I'm still on the fence. | I'm still on the fence about it. |
Block G — Work & Email Native Phrasing
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Please find attached. | Attached is... / Here's the file. | Here's the file you asked for. |
| I am writing to inform you. | Just wanted to let you know. | Just wanted to let you know it's done. |
| Kindly revert. | Let me know. / Get back to me. | Get back to me whenever you can. |
| As per our discussion. | Like we talked about. | Like we talked about, I sent the draft. |
| I would be grateful if... | It'd be great if... / Would you mind...? | Would you mind sending it today? |
| Please do the needful. | Please take care of this. | Can you take care of this by Friday? |
| I am reaching out regarding... | I'm following up on... | Just following up on my last email. |
| Kindly confirm. | Can you confirm? / Just confirm when you can. | Can you confirm you got this? |
Block H — Texting Shortcuts (Casual Only — Never in Email or Exams)
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I do not know. | idk | idk, ask him |
| By the way | btw | btw, dinner's at 8 |
| To be honest | tbh | tbh I forgot |
| In my opinion | imo | imo it's overpriced |
| Talk to you later | ttyl | gtg, ttyl |
| Laughing out loud | lol | lol that's so true |
| See you | cya | cya tomorrow |
| As soon as possible | asap | send it asap pls |
| I don't care (either is fine) | idc | idc which one, you pick |
| Oh my god | omg | omg that's crazy |
Rule: the textbook word is never wrong — it's just formal. Use it in essays, emails to strangers, and the CSS exam. Use the native version everywhere else, or you'll sound like a walking dictionary in casual conversation.
Block I — Describing People Naturally
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| He is very intelligent. | He's sharp. / He's a smart cookie. | She's really sharp, catches everything. |
| He is very kind. | He's a sweetheart. / He's a good guy. | He's such a good guy, always helping out. |
| She is very stubborn. | She's set in her ways. / She's hard-headed. | He's pretty hard-headed once he decides something. |
| He talks too much. | He's a chatterbox. / He never shuts up. | My roommate's a total chatterbox. |
| She is very organized. | She's got it together. / She's on top of things. | She's totally got it together, unlike me. |
| He is unreliable. | He's flaky. / You can't count on him. | Don't invite him, he's super flaky. |
| She is very funny. | She's hilarious. / She's a riot. | Oh my god, she's a riot at parties. |
Block J — Everyday Tech & Modern Life
| Textbook / Formal | Native Speakers Say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| My phone battery is depleted. | My phone's dead. / I'm at like 2%. | Charge my phone, it's dead. |
| The internet connection is poor. | The wifi's spotty. / My internet's being weird. | Sorry, my wifi's being spotty today. |
| I will search for it online. | I'll just Google it. | Not sure, let me Google it real quick. |
| The application is malfunctioning. | The app's acting up. / It's glitching. | The app keeps glitching on my phone. |
| I am unable to access the file. | I can't get into the file. / It won't open. | This doc won't open for some reason. |
| Please restart the device. | Just restart it. / Turn it off and on again. | Try turning it off and on again first. |
Block K — Softening Requests & Opinions (Sounding Less Blunt)
| Direct / Blunt | Softer Native Version | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Give me the file. | Could you send me the file? / Mind sending the file? | Mind sending that file over when you get a sec? |
| You are wrong. | I don't think that's quite right. / I'd push back on that a bit. | I don't think that's quite right, actually. |
| I want you to do this now. | Would you be able to do this today? / Whenever you get a chance. | Whenever you get a chance, could you take a look? |
| No. | I don't think that'll work. / I'm gonna pass on that. | I'm gonna pass on that one, thanks though. |
| I don't like it. | It's not really my thing. / Not my favorite, honestly. | It's not really my thing, but you might like it. |
Rule: Americans soften requests and disagreement far more than Urdu/Pakistani English speakers expect — directness that's normal in Urdu can sound rude in English. Add a hedge (kind of, I think, maybe, would you mind) even when you're sure.