Recognizing & Avoiding Filler Words

What are Filler Words?

Any word written or said that doesn’t add to the meaning of a sentence is technically a filler word. In the previous sentence, removing the word “technically” doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence, so “technically” is, itself, technically a filler word.

Write with Confidence using Editor

Elevate your writing with real-time, intelligent assistance

Learn more

Common Filler Words in Speech & Writing

Whether you’re chatting with a colleague or presenting during a meeting, you may find one or more of these filler words or phrases coming out in your speech:

• Actually
• Almost
• Basically
• For what it’s worth
• In my (humble) opinion
• It goes without saying/needless to say
• Just
• Only
• Really/very

All these filler words can pop up in your writing, too, so be on the lookout for them there as well.

Filler Words Most Common in Speech

Filler words that are almost exclusive to oral expression include:

• Ah
• Er
• I think
• Like
• Literally
• OK
• Right
• So
• Uh
• Um
• Well
• You know (what I mean)

It’s not often you’ll find occasion to write “uh” or “um” unless you’re working on dialog, so you probably don’t have to worry about speech filler words showing up in your writing.

What Does it Mean When Someone Uses Filler Words?

The use of filler words can signal a few different things:

• Being diplomatic. If someone’s hemming and hawing after being asked something the answer to which may be unkind, an “uh,” “um,” or “well” might blunt the blow of all that honesty.
• Holding onto attention or the speaking role. When going silent or pausing signals that the floor open for someone else to speak, deploying filler words can help retain your turn to speak.
• Jumping into a conversation. An effective interjection doesn’t have to be a meaningful word—just pivot the audience’s focus. “Actually,” “well,” and “although” can all be used to verbally step into a conversation or presentation.
• Taking up space. Whether trying to make an assignment’s wordcount creep up or preventing someone else from talking, taking up space is a common use of filler words.
• Taking up time. Looking up the answer to a question during a meeting or in court can often come with some filler words to buy some time.

How to Avoid Filler Words in Writing

As tried and true a method for lengthening a research paper as futzing with the margins, filler words help a concise essay expand into a meandering treatise. Even middle school students know, though, that longer isn’t always better when it comes to your writing. Here are tips for trimming the fat from your next written project:

• Keep meaning in mind. Everything you put on the page should add to the meaning of the work. This can get tricky, though, because what may seem like filler might actually be meaningful—especially words or phrases that punctuate a point.
• Edit judiciously. Look for anything superfluous and cut it out. Then, review your work again. And again. Don’t be precious about your work. If you’re worried that you may cut something you need, take advantage of versioning and version control available through your word processor or cloud storage, like Microsoft OneDrive’s version history feature.
• When in doubt, leave it out. Take advantage of built-in editors, like Microsoft Editor, to gut check how concise your sentences are.

How to Avoid Filler Words in Speech

It’s been shown that while filler words don’t offer much in the way of written content, they’re often important to spoken content.ⁱ But the more formal a moment, the less appropriate filler words are. A presidential address inspires less confidence if it’s riddled with filler words. In fact, studies have shown that listeners assume that the use of filler words means the speaker is unprepared.ⁱⁱ But how can you set about avoiding these words in your own speech?

• Beware and be aware. Knowing is half the battle, right? Do your best to recognize which filler words you default to—and what situations cause you to break them out.
• If it’s a prepared speech, practice. Public speaking is often practiced, but you can also practice talking points for presentations that invite an exchange with the audience. The more you practice, the less likely you are to use a filler word. For every minute of presentation, do an hour of practice.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Wait to speak until you know what to say. If you’re unsure what to say next—and there’s no risk of someone jumping in to interrupt you—simply pause rather than take up time or space with “uh” and “um.”
• Calm down. Whether you’re calmed by practicing, deep breathing, or choosing one person in the audience to focus on, rooting yourself in calm will help your speaking come more naturally.

Finding ways to cut down on filler is a step toward more clear, powerful speaking and writing. Just make sure you don’t trim away meaning or personality while you cut out the fluff.