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Discover the Power of Function Words
Unlock the subtle clues hidden in our everyday speech.
The Secret Lives of Pronouns in Deception
"Junk Words Tell The Truth."
Tiny Words, Big Tells 🕵️♂️
Words like "I," "the," and "and"—often overlooked—can reveal more than dramatic language or body cues.
Ed Reif’s Discovery 🔍
While studying bad beat stories, Reif found that function words are powerful indicators of emotional and psychological shifts.
Focus on How, Not What 🎯
It’s not the content, but how people speak—especially their use of function words—that reveals truth and intention.
Pronouns & Power 💼
High-status people use “I” less. Depressed or low-status individuals use it more—focused inward.
Deception’s Tell 🧠
Liars often avoid “I”—distancing themselves from the deceit, just like world leaders before conflict.
Language Matching = Love 💕
Couples (and teams) who naturally mirror each other’s function words tend to have stronger bonds.
The Verbal Poker Game ♠️
Like poker tells, “junk” words whisper truths—about lies, connection, stress, and status.
💡 A Hidden Truth
"The Disappearance of 'I'"
When people are being deceptive, they often unconsciously use the word “I” less frequently. This distancing serves as a psychological buffer—it’s a way to avoid full ownership of the message or action.