Correcting someone can be awkward — after all, no one likes feeling like they’ve got something wrong.
Not only that, but if the situation isn’t handled in the right way, it can come across as smug or condescending. That being said, intelligent people know that the goal isn’t to prove they’re smarter; it’s to help the conversation move forward without making anyone feel small. The way they phrase things keeps the discussion open, encourages learning, and avoids unnecessary drama or upset. Here’s how they do it.
1. “I totally get why you’d think that, but here’s another angle.”
Instead of shutting someone down, this phrase acknowledges that their thought process makes sense. It reassures them that their opinion isn’t ridiculous, while also introducing a different way to look at things. People are much more likely to listen when they don’t feel like they’re being dismissed or talked down to. It changes the tone from “You’re wrong” to “Let’s explore this together,” which makes them more open to hearing a different perspective. Intelligent people know that people absorb new information better when they feel like they’re being included in a discussion rather than corrected.
2. “I used to think that too, but then I learned this…”
Sharing that you once had the same belief makes the correction feel relatable rather than like a lecture. It shows that learning is a process and that getting something wrong is completely normal. Instead of making the person feel like they’ve been caught out, this one reassures them that many people have thought the same way. When people don’t feel embarrassed, they’re far more likely to engage in the conversation. It also makes them curious about what changed your mind, which makes them more open to reconsidering their own stance.
3. “I see what you’re saying — have you also heard about this?”
Instead of dismissing their point, this encourages them to consider new information without making them feel like they’re being corrected. It sounds more like an expansion than a contradiction, which keeps the conversation open. It works especially well when discussing opinions or perspectives rather than just facts. That’s because it subtly encourages the idea that discussions aren’t about winning or losing; they’re about growing. People are much more open to changing their minds when they feel like they’re discovering something, not just being told they’re wrong.
4. “I’ve read something different about that. Mind if I share?”
Rather than flat-out correcting someone, this asks for their permission first. It turns the correction into a conversation rather than a confrontation, making the other person feel like they have a choice in whether or not to engage. When people feel included rather than dismissed, they’re more willing to hear a different perspective. By presenting the information as something you came across rather than an absolute truth, it makes them feel less defensive. Intelligent people understand that how something is framed makes all the difference in whether it gets heard.
5. “That’s definitely an interesting take — I came across a different perspective the other day.”
This keeps things neutral and avoids making the other person feel like they’ve made a mistake. Instead, it presents the new information as just another perspective to consider rather than something that replaces their belief. People are much more likely to stay engaged when they feel like their thoughts are still valued. It also makes the conversation more engaging, as it suggests an exchange of ideas rather than a correction. Instead of feeling like they’ve been proven wrong, the person will likely be more interested in hearing what you have to say.
6. “That used to be the widely accepted view, but now there’s more research on it.”
Instead of telling someone they’re wrong, this acknowledges that their information might have been correct at some point. It makes the correction feel more like an update rather than a dismissal, which is much easier to accept. People don’t like feeling outdated, but they also don’t like feeling attacked. Framing it as an evolving understanding rather than a right-or-wrong issue makes people more receptive. It reassures them that they weren’t misled; they just haven’t seen the most recent findings yet.
7. “I think the latest research actually suggests something slightly different.”
Source: Unsplash This corrects the information without making it personal since it focuses on the facts rather than making it about who is right or wrong, which takes the pressure off the other person. Nobody wants to feel like they’ve been challenged in front of other people. By putting the focus on the research rather than the person, it removes any sense of attack. It also makes the conversation about learning rather than proving a point, which makes it far more productive.
8. “I get why that makes sense — it’s one of those things that sounds true, but actually isn’t.”
This softens the correction by admitting that the mistake is an easy one to make. It reassures the other person that they’re not alone in thinking that way, which makes them more open to hearing the actual facts. Nobody likes feeling singled out for getting something wrong. People are much more amenable to corrections when they don’t feel like they’re being made to look foolish. Framing it like this makes it easier for them to accept new information without feeling embarrassed.
9. “That’s one way to look at it, but there’s also another angle to consider.”
Rather than making someone feel wrong, this phrase presents the correction as an alternative rather than a contradiction. It encourages curiosity rather than defensiveness, which makes it more likely that they’ll actually listen. Instead of shutting down their point of view, it subtly invites them to consider something new. Intelligent people know that no one likes being told they’re outright wrong. Offering a different viewpoint rather than dismissing theirs keeps the conversation open, which leads to better discussions and less tension.
10. “That’s a really common idea, but interestingly, the facts point in another direction.”
This acknowledges that their belief isn’t unusual, which stops them from feeling foolish. It reassures them that lots of people think the same way before offering a different perspective, which makes the correction feel less personal. People are far more likely to listen when they don’t feel like they’ve been singled out. It also gives them a way to change their mind without feeling embarrassed. If they know that many people have believed the same thing, they’re less likely to feel like they’ve made a big mistake.
11. “I actually thought the same thing until I looked into it a bit more.”
By sharing that you also believed the same thing at some point, it makes the correction feel more like a shared experience rather than a one-sided lecture. It helps people feel less defensive because they realise they’re not alone in their thinking. Instead of feeling like they’re being corrected, they feel like they’re being let in on something interesting. People are more willing to accept new information when they don’t feel like they’re being talked down to. This makes the correction feel natural rather than forced, which keeps the discussion open instead of tense.
12. “That’s a great point, and actually, I found something that builds on it.”
This avoids making someone feel like their point was incorrect. Instead, it adds to the discussion in a way that shifts their thinking without making them feel undermined. By making it seem like their idea led to new information, it encourages them to be more open to hearing what you have to say. Intelligent people know that the best way to change someone’s mind is to make them feel like they’re evolving their ideas rather than being corrected. It keeps the conversation positive and helps prevent arguments.
13. “That’s an interesting take — I’d love to hear your thoughts on this angle.”
This gets them to engage with new information rather than feel like they’re being told what to think. It keeps the conversation flowing rather than shutting it down, which makes it easier for them to accept a different perspective. When people feel included in the discussion, they’re less likely to push back against new information. Plus, when they feel like they’re part of the learning process rather than just being corrected, they’re far more likely to consider new ideas. Intelligent people know that getting someone to rethink something is about guiding, not forcing, which makes all the difference.
14. “I’ve read a few different things about that — mind if I share?”
By asking permission before offering a correction, this one makes the other person feel in control. It stops them from immediately shutting down in defensiveness because they feel like they’re being given a choice. Instead of feeling like they’re being corrected, they feel like they’re part of an interesting discussion. When people feel like they’re part of the learning process rather than being corrected, they’re far more likely to actually listen. Smart people correct others in ways that feel like a discussion rather than a lecture, which makes it easier for everyone involved.
15. “I think that idea has been around for a while, but more recent information suggests something else.”
Instead of saying “you’re wrong,” this frames the correction as an update rather than a contradiction. It stops people from feeling outdated or misinformed, which makes it easier for them to accept new information. Nobody likes to feel like they’ve been caught out, but everyone likes learning something new. People are more likely to accept corrections when they don’t feel like they’ve been challenged. By making it sound like the information has simply evolved, it keeps the discussion positive and makes the correction feel helpful rather than critical.
16. “I used to be convinced of that, too, but then I came across something that completely changed my mind.”
This makes the new information sound exciting rather than just a correction; it makes people curious about what changed your perspective instead of feeling defensive. They don’t feel like they’re being told they’re wrong; they feel like they’re being introduced to something new and interesting. When a correction is framed as a discovery rather than a criticism, people are much more likely to listen. Intelligent people don’t just correct — they guide the conversation in a way that makes everyone want to learn, which is why their approach is always more effective.
