Avoidance of Personal Pronouns
Liars often attempt to create emotional and psychological distance from their falsehoods by avoiding personal pronouns. Words like “I,” “me,” and “my” are less likely to appear in deceptive statements because they directly tie the speaker to the action or event being described. Instead of saying “I broke the vase,” a liar might say “The vase got broken,” removing themselves from the sentence entirely. This distancing language reduces feelings of guilt and avoids internalizing responsibility.
Studies using linguistic analysis software, such as LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count), consistently reveal lower pronoun usage in deceptive speech. Avoiding personal references is a subconscious tactic to protect one’s self-image and reduce cognitive dissonance. In contrast, truthful individuals usually speak with more ownership, using first-person pronouns to describe their actions. This lack of self-reference in a story can be a subtle but powerful indicator that someone is not being entirely honest.
Frequent Use of Qualifiers and Modifiers
Liars often rely on qualifiers and modifiers in an effort to make their statements sound more believable or to preempt doubt. Phrases like “to be honest,” “frankly,” “believe me,” or “I swear” are used to reinforce credibility, even though they may have the opposite effect. These phrases can indicate that the speaker is aware their statement might seem suspicious and is trying to compensate for that perception. Rather than letting the facts speak for themselves, liars may feel the need to add unnecessary emphasis to persuade the listener.
In addition to qualifiers, deceptive speakers frequently use vague modifiers such as “basically,” “sort of,” “maybe,” or “kind of.” These modifiers serve to blur the clarity of a statement, giving the speaker a psychological escape if challenged. For instance, saying “I sort of remember being there” is far less definitive than “I was there.” These verbal softeners can signal discomfort or uncertainty, both of which are commonly present in dishonest communication. Recognizing an overuse of such language can provide valuable insight into the speaker’s confidence—or lack thereof—in what they are saying.
