A new app has been launched to help women apologise less, as saying sorry too much supposedly undermines their authority in the workplace.

The app, called Just Not Sorry, highlights each time a user types a key word or phrase such as "sorry", "I think" or "I'm no expert" into an email.

So far 53,000 users have installed the free app, which can be used as an add-on to the Gmail email service and the Google Chrome web browser.

Six words to avoid in the workplace: Sorry

Sorry I think

I think I'm no expert

I'm no expert Just

Just Actually

Actually Does this make sense?

Does this make sense? Try

The app was created by Tami Reiss, chief executive of Cyrus Innovation, a software development consultancy company based in New York.

Ms Reiss said she came up with the app after watching a video of comedian Amy Schumer spoofing a panel of accomplished women, all of whom pepper their remarks with endless apologies.

"We've found people that have started using it actually get a lot more mindful around the use of these words," Ms Reiss said.

"That makes us happy."

Other red-flag phrases on the app include "just", "actually", "does this make sense?" and "try".

Ms Reiss said she chose those words based on the premise that women use such terms to soften their demands at work or try to be likable, and in so doing, devalue themselves.

She said she also was influenced by an article in the Washington Post that recast famous quotes as they might be said by women in a meeting.

For example, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" by US president Franklin Roosevelt was recounted as: "I don't think we should be as scared of non-fear things as maybe we are? If that makes sense? Sorry, I feel like I'm rambling."

People who had been using Just Not Sorry said they started to notice when they used the offending words while texting and talking, Ms Reiss said.

Reuters