5 Common Phrases That Slowly Poison Any Relationship

Saying the wrong thing can ruin your relationship.

By Kira Asatryan
Last updated on Mar 23, 2024

Photo: South_agency | Canva

Learning how to communicate effectively is a major factor in any happy, healthy relationship. What you don't realize is that there are common words and phrases that you may use frequently that are driving a wedge between you and your partner. These types of communication make it difficult to build closeness and connection, which you need to have trust and love. Any relationship can benefit from more closeness. Closeness is created between two people through knowing each other well and caring for each other openly. These are simple actions you can start doing at any time with anyone you choose. Closeness — the antidote to loneliness — is very much within your control. One of the first things I encourage my clients to do to create more closeness in their relationships is to adjust their language in small but powerful ways.

Here are 5 common phrases that slowly poison any relationship:

1. “Why did you...?”

It's just one single word but can be so powerfully destructive. “Why” isn’t the best way to pose a question to someone you want closeness with because it can unintentionally create defensiveness. “Why” is the language of accusation: “Why did you do that?” “Why do you feel that way?”

Despite your innocent intentions, that single word primes another person to think of reasons to defend himself or herself. To feel the subversive power of “why,” the next time you sit down to a nice dinner or to watch a movie, ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” Feel the anxiety it provokes? That’s the same anxiety most “why” questions provoke in others — and it’s an experience that will not bring you closer to someone. Rephrase your “why” questions as “what” or “how” questions. “Why am I doing this?” becomes “What am I getting out of this?” Feel the difference? The first version accuses, while the second just wants to understand.

2. “You need to …”

“You” is a tricky word in the closeness vocabulary. It can certainly bring people together (“You are so sweet”), but when it slides into telling your partner what he or she needs to do differently, it can cause division. The key phrases to pay attention to are the ones that begin with, “You need to…” "...be more assertive," or "...be more organized.” These have the potential to hinder closeness because they imply that your partner should change in some specific way, based on your opinions.

When creating closeness, it’s best not to present your opinions as mandates. “You need to” creates a mandate that will drive a wedge between people. Try focusing on your own experience of the situation. For example, “You need to be more assertive” might become, “I would like us to make more decisions together.” “You need to be more organized” might become, “I wonder if we can work on straightening out the closets.” Sharing your perspective on the situation fosters closeness and prevents gaps from forming.

3. “I’m sorry if…”

Almost everyone finds it hard to admit when they’ve done something wrong. However, since we all make mistakes in our lives, apologizing is essential to maintaining closeness over a long period. One of the biggest mistakes people make is starting an apology with, “I’m sorry if…” “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings." "I’m sorry if you felt that way.”

These are not apologies that create closeness because closeness comes from taking at least some responsibility when you’ve done something wrong. Using “if” in your apology allows you to dodge responsibility by putting it back on the other person. “I’m sorry if you felt that way.” See that big “you” there? Apologizing well is about being committed to taking some responsibility. “I’m sorry I…” and “I’m sorry for…” work infinitely better than “I’m sorry if…” A simple “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings” is the type of apology that brings people closer together.

4. “Why don’t you just…”

You know this phrase is trouble because it starts with a “why” — but it gets its spot because this and its other versions shut down the conversation when your partner needs it most — when he or she is struggling: “You could just …” “You should just …” Giving your partner advice or offering up solutions to problems is great when he or she asks for it. But when he or she simply wants to tell you about one of their struggles, inserting a “Why don’t you just …” implies the struggle is not valid.

From your point of view, it seems that they could easily solve it if they just do what you suggest. Although it may not have been your intention, this creates distance because you just invalidated their experience. When your partner is struggling with something, your main task is to stay present and engaged. That stance in its very simplicity creates the most closeness. And when he or she is ready to do something differently, then offer to help brainstorm solutions. Collaboration is advice, closeness-style.

5. “Not right now.”

Most of us lead busy lives and it’s not always possible to drop what you’re doing and listen to your husband’s work story or take your mother’s call. Nevertheless, being engaged with those you want to stay close to consistently is extremely important, and the phrase “not right now” without any follow-up fosters a feeling of rejection. If you’re engrossed in something at the moment your partner wants to engage, try replacing “not right now” with a request for a specific amount of time. “I just need 20 minutes on this and then I’d love to listen,” elicits a different feeling from “not right now.” Use these simple tips to start building closeness in your relationships now. It may take a while for your new language habits to take hold, but when they do you may see improvements in all of your relationships.