Filler words (also called discourse markers or hesitation sounds) are the sounds and words we use when thinking, pausing, or transitioning in conversation. Using them correctly makes you sound more natural - but overusing them makes you sound uncertain.
Basic Hesitation Sounds
These sounds buy you time to think:
Common Filler Words
"Like"
The most common filler in American English, especially among younger speakers:
Uses of "like" as a filler:
- Approximation: "It costs like $50." (approximately)
- Quotation: "And she was like, 'No way!'" (she said)
- Emphasis: "That's like so cool." (really)
- Pause: "I think, like, we should go." (hesitation)
"You know"
In fast speech, this often reduces to /jənoʊ/ or even /jəno/.
"I mean"
"Basically"
"Actually"
Sentence Starters
These words often start sentences as thinking pauses:
Agreement and Response Sounds
Emotional Expressions
Pronunciation Tips
| Filler | Key Point |
|---|---|
| um/uh | Use schwa /ʌ/, not /ʊm/ or /u/ |
| like | Can reduce to /laɪ/ in very fast speech |
| you know | Reduces to /jənoʊ/ - almost one word |
| uh-huh (yes) | Rising then falling pitch |
| uh-uh (no) | Two falling tones with glottal stop |
When to Use (and Not Use) Fillers
Natural use:
- Casual conversation with friends
- Thinking out loud during brainstorming
- Showing you're still engaged while someone speaks
Reduce fillers in:
- Job interviews (sounds uncertain)
- Presentations (sounds unprepared)
- Formal writing (never use)
Practice Exercise
Read this dialogue aloud, paying attention to natural filler placement:
A: "So, um, what did you think of the movie?"
B: "Well, it was, like, really intense, you know?"
A: "Mm-hmm, yeah, I mean, the ending was wow."
B: "Right? Actually, I didn't see that coming at all."
A: "Basically, it's the best movie I've seen this year."
Learning to use fillers appropriately is the final step to sounding truly natural in English conversation!