About this lesson
A filler is a sound like um or uh that fills a gap. A pause is a short silence. The teachers in this mix agree that when you need a moment, a short silent beat usually sounds calmer and clearer than a sound. Silence gives you time to plan the next few words, and it helps the listener take in what you just said.
You do not need to remove every filler. A research video here says people use them two or three times a minute in natural speech, and a filler can signal that you are not finished or help the listener catch the next word. The aim is fewer, not none, and mainly fewer in the middle of a phrase. Teachers suggest measuring first: record yourself, read a transcript and count. Then swap the sound for a quiet beat. Think a cue word, shut your mouth or breathe, and pause between groups of words, not inside them.
Some tips are overstated. A long held pause is stage craft, not conversation, and an exam answer with big gaps sounds like a stall. A trick such as closing your mouth is a rehearsal aid, not a cure. Expect progress over weeks, and try to beat your last count rather than reach zero.
Examples from the clips
- TED-Ed explains that fillers are common in many languages and that a filled pause can signal you are not finished.
- Interactive English plays the same sentence with silent beats and then with fillers, so you can hear the difference.
- The Distilled Man shows a mental cue: imagine ending the sentence, then pause and breathe instead of making a sound.
- Cat Mulvihill suggests reading a transcript of yourself and trying to beat your last count, and Speak Confident English shows where a pause belongs and where it does not.
Questions this lesson answers
What is the difference between a filler and a pause?
A filler is a sound such as um or uh. A pause is silence. A short silent pause usually sounds calmer and clearer than a filler.
Should I stop saying um completely?
No. Fillers are normal, and research in one video says people use them a few times a minute in natural speech. Aim for fewer, especially in the middle of a phrase.
How do I stop using filler words?
Record yourself and count them first. Then replace the sound with a short silent beat, plan your next few words in that beat, and pause between groups of words.
Is it bad to pause when I speak?
No, a short pause between ideas sounds confident. A very long pause can sound like a stall, especially in an exam, so keep it brief.
How can I measure my fillers?
Record a short answer, read the transcript and count them. Do it again another day and try to beat your last count.