1. What Are Filler Words?

• Filler words are words or phrases that are used to fill silence when you’re speaking.
• They don’t add any real value to the sentence.
• They simply keep you going while you come up with the rest of your sentence.

Note: Basically, these gap fillers help you buy some time to gather your thoughts and then continue speaking fluently.

1. Common Gap Fillers:- 
2. Uh… Um…  Well… you know,
3. Like,  Hmm,  You see,  I mean, It depends,
4. To be honest,  Let me see,  Or something,  Actually
5. The thing is ,  You know what I mean, It’s on the tip of my tongue, How shall I put it?, At the end of the day

1. Uh! / Um!

To fill silence while you think of the next word.

EXAMPLE:

Well, I can’t believe that I’m actually uh you know uh sitting here and talking.

But the only thing is that I um I am like that.

2. Well!

When we start to talk after a pause.

To delay your answer in order to have more time.

To avoid giving an answer.

EXAMPLE:

• Well, you know, that’s true.
• Well, I guess Rs1200 is a good price for a pair of pants.
• Well… fine, you can borrow my guitar.

3. You know

When you are trying to think of what to say next.

When you assume the listener already knows what you’re talking about.

When you feel the listener just understands what you mean.

EXAMPLE

• I'm not happy with the situation but, you know, there isn't much I can do about it.
• You know, all of these things are common at this age.
• Every time, I get the feeling, you know, um whether I’m doing it right.

4. You see!

When you assume the listener doesn’t know what you are talking about.

When you hope listener will understand what you are saying.

When you are explaining something.

EXAMPLE

I was going to try the app, but you see, I ran out of space on my phone.

You see, the thing is, we won’t be finished before Friday.

You see, I'm one of those people who likes to try new things.

5. Like

When you say something is not exact.

When you need a moment to figure out the next word to use.

EXAMPLE

She was like “No way.”

I was like “It happened.”

My friend was like, completely ready to like kick me out of the car if I didn’t stop using the word ‘like’.

It was, like, getting pretty late but I didn’t want to go home yet.

6. Hmm

When you’re thinking or trying to decide something.

EXAMPLE

Which one do you like best?

Hmm, I like the pink one.

Hmm, I'm not sure.

7. Or something (like that)

“Or something” is a sentence ending that means you’re not being exact.

EXAMPLE

I opened the door and found some boxes or something.

We talked about politics, money or something like that.

8. It depends

When you want to buy even more time.

EXAMPLE

It depends, you know, it depends on the situation.

“Do you eat out at lunchtime?”

“Well, it depends. I usually bring lunch, but sometimes I go out.”

9. I mean

When you clarify or emphasize how you feel about something.

When you make corrections when you misspeak.

EXAMPLE

He’s a great guy, I mean, uh he’s a good friend. I’m just not sure if he’s a good doctor.

This couch is 13 – I mean – 30 years old.

10. Actually

When you point out something you think is true, when others might not agree.

EXAMPLE

What do you think?

Actually… I don’t believe in miracles.

11. Let me see

When you want to think for a moment about something.

EXAMPLE

How long would it take to drive from Chandigarh to Gurugram?

Well, let me see. I’d say it would take at least four hours.

Is there a shop that sells sports clothes?

Let me see - I think there's one near here.

12. To be honest!

When telling someone what you really think, especially when it may be something that they do not want to hear.

EXAMPLE

To be honest, the meal was terrible.

Well, to be honest, I've never liked her behavior that much.

13. The thing is

Used to introduce an explanation or an excuse.

EXAMPLE

Why do you finish your work so early?

The thing is, my parents like me to be home by ten o'clock.

14. You know what I mean?

When you think that the person listening understands and so you do not need to say any more.

EXAMPLE

Have you watched the movie, ‘Wonder woman’, she is like that. You know what I mean?

You've got to give him a chance, you know what I mean?

15. It’s on the tip of my tongue.

When we are trying to recall something or when we are struggling with right words or event in the reference of ongoing talk.

EXAMPLE

A: What’s his name?

B: It’s on the tip of my tongue.

16. How shall I put it?

When you are going to say something that is honest but may sound rude.

EXAMPLE

A: How is he like?

B: How shall I put it? Um, he’s rich, but he’s certainly not attractive.

17. At the end of the day

Used for saying what you consider is the most important thing about a situation.

EXAMPLE

1. Of course, I'll listen to what she has to say but at the end of the day, it's my decision.
2. At the end of the day, I’m the one who is going to be held responsible.

PRO TIP 1

Pretend you haven’t heard.

• Pardon?
• Sorry?

PRO TIP 2

• Repeat the question.
• Hey! How much money do you make?
• You want to know how much money I make.  Well, I make enough to pay my bills.

CONVERSATIONS BASED ON GAP FILLERS

• A: What do you think of this jacket?
• B: Um, I don't know if I like the colour.
• A: So what did you talk about?
• B: Um, I don't remember.
• A: How far is it?
• B: It's not too far - it's about, uh, five miles from here.
• A: How was your meeting?
• B: Well, it’s difficult to say. I think they liked our presentation but I am not sure.
• A: Why didn’t you pick up the phone?
• B: I was cleaning the house, you know, when the phone rang.
• A: Have you met Riya yet?
• B: Yeah, two days ago, she is, like, really friendly.
• A: He says he's doing it for our benefit.
• B: Hmm, I'm still not convinced.
• A: How do you like him?
• B: I really do love him - as a friend, I mean.
• A: Where does he work?
• B: He works for a bank or something.
• A: How excited are you about buying a car?
• B: It depends, It depends what sort of car I’m going to buy.
• A: Are you going to watch his next movie?
• B: To be quite honest, I’m just not interested.
• A: How long has it been since you stopped seeing him?
• B: It must have been, let me see, 10 years.

KEEP LEARNING!