“I would like to inform you that I have completed the task.”
There’s nothing wrong with this sentence. But… no one actually talks like this. This is just what happens when correctness overfires.
From a psycholinguistics perspective, language is constantly competing for attention. Your brain prefers sentences that are fast, predictable, and easy to process. So the moment a sentence requires extra effort, it starts to feel off—even if it’s perfectly correct.
Correctness = increased processing load.
The meaning of “I would like to inform you that I have completed the task.” is buried under its rigid structure. Instead, if you say “Finished it,” the meaning lands instantly.
We can keep going…
“Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this matter.”
→ stacked phrases, extra parsing
“Any questions?”
→ same idea, less effort
Even over-explaining creates friction and an increased processing load:
“I am writing this email to follow up on the previous message I sent…”
→ the reader already knows this
“Just following up here.”
→ faster, easier, expected
There’s also a strange effect with predictability. When your English is too structured, too complete, too textbook, it starts to feel like a template. If your English sounds like a template, people will treat it like one (generic, impersonal, and easy to ignore).
Natural English doesn’t follow a template. It cuts, drops, assumes, and moves on. It relies on shared context instead of spelling everything out. Natural English is optimized for the listener, not the rule.
This is why you can say everything correctly and still sound distant, overly formal, or not like yourself. You’re not making mistakes, but you’re making your English harder to process than it needs to be.
I help people say the same thing with less effort and more impact.
A quick note on working together
Most advanced English users aren’t stuck on grammar. They’re stuck on how their English comes across. That’s the space I work in.
Free workshops
I run small, free workshops where you can bring real examples and get honest feedback.
Upcoming:
- Why Humor Is So Hard in English (and How to Get It Right) — September 1, 2026
- Advanced English for ESL Teachers: Your Questions, Real English — October 6, 2026
- What Your English Signals to Other People — November 3, 2026
Join here: https://one-s-jes.com/workshops/
✨Don’t forget to register for every workshop you want to attend✨
Direct help
I also work 1:1 with a small number of people. This is for you if:
- your English is already strong
- but it doesn’t sound like you yet
- or you’re not sure how it’s landing at work
You bring your real writing or speaking. I tell you exactly what works, what doesn’t, and why.
Reach out if that’s what you need!
A closing thought
What’s one sentence you could say in half the words and get twice the impact? Think about it.