Filler words in English are words or phrases that are used to fill gaps or pauses in speech. They don’t add a lot of meaning but they can give the speaker time to think, to emphasize a point and ultimately to sound more natural and fluent speaking in English. It is valuable to learn how to use filler words when speaking to others, as well as during an online English language course.
Native speakers are usually not conscious of when they use filler words in their speech. Filler words are the key to making you sound more authentic and relaxed when having a conversation with others.
Filler words are not used in formal writing, however, it is okay to use them when texting friends informally to make your conversation sound more authentic and casual through virtual communication.
To start, here are some common English filler words and examples of how they might be used:
Um, Uh
“I, um, don’t really know.”
“Uh, would it be okay to meet later?”
These are the most classic filler words. They are used to when someone is thinking or hesitating before they speak. They don’t have much meaning.
Like
“I was, like, so surprised.”
“The cake was, like, amazing.”
The word ‘like’ is used to speak about two similar things that are similar in characteristics (a simile). It is used to indicate speech or thought.
You know
“It’s just, you know, hard to explain.”
Generally used to ensure that the listener is following along or to emphasize a point. It can be both a request for affirmation and a filler phrase that allows the speaker a moment to collect their thoughts.
So
“So, what are you doing this weekend?”
Often used to introduce a topic or transition to a new point. It can also serve as a softener to make what follows seem less abrupt.
Actually
“I actually liked the movie”
“I actually don’t know the answer.”
Commonly used to correct oneself or someone else, or to emphasize an unexpected or counterintuitive point
Basically
“It’s basically a way to get more things done.”
Used to signal that a simplified explanation or summary is coming. It aims to distill the essence of a more complex topic.
Seriously
“I seriously can’t believe it.”
Used to emphasize the gravity or earnestness of the following statement (“I seriously need to study for this exam”).
Literally
“I was literally just thinking about that.”
Traditionally used to signify that a statement is not metaphorical but exact. However, it is often used for emphasis, even when the statement is not literally true (“I was literally dying of laughter”).
Anyway, Anyways
“Anyway, let’s move on to the next point.”
Used to transition to a new topic or to signify that the speaker is returning to a prior topic after a digression.
Alright
“Alright, let’s get started.”
Often used to signal agreement, or to transition to the next point of the discussion.
I mean
“I mean, it could be worse.”
Used to clarify or elaborate on a previous statement, or to introduce a more accurate or nuanced description (“It’s not that I don’t like him, I mean, I just don’t think he’s right for the job”).
Using Intonation
These filler words are often used unconsciously, and the initiation used must also be learnt to sound more natural. Intonation is important to get right to convey the subtle nuances in meaning of filler words in English.
Here are different ways initiation can be used with filler words:
Statement or Question
“Um, you’re coming to the party?” – Using a rising intonation turns the sentence into a question, where the speaker is asking for confirmation.
“Um, you’re coming to the party.” – Using a falling intonation turns the sentence into a statement, expressing an assumption or expectation.
Hesitation or Confidence
The intonation used can either convey a sense of hesitation in the speaker, or confidence. Look at these two example sentences with the filler word ‘uh’.
“I, uh, think it’s a good idea.” – A falling and long intonation of “uh” indicates hesitation, suggesting uncertainty.
“I, uh, think it’s a good idea.” – A sharper, and rising intonation of “uh” is used more to maintain fluency, and the speaker appears more confident about their statement.
Pausing for thought
“Um” is used to signify a momentary pause for thought before continuing. The initiation should be long and deep.
While learning filler words is not the first priority for English language learners, it is important language to master on your journey to English language fluency when you learn English online.
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