Stop “Um-ing” (and using other fillers)

Ummmm…

Like….

Well….

What are filler words, sounds and phrases, and why do we use them?

In short: fillers are empty words that pad your sentences without adding any additional meaning.

They can distract your audience from your message, and leave you looking uncertain of what you are saying.

Public speaking experts strongly recommend eliminating these words and phrases completely, keeping your talk clear and succinct - without distractions.  

What are the filler words, sounds and phrases, and why do we use them?

Filler Sounds, Filler Words, and Filler Phrases

This article uses the collective term “filler words”, but this is really a convenient shorthand for three speech-fillers:

Here is that list again:

Filler Sounds:

• um
• uh
• ah
• er
• hmm
• mhm
• uh huh

Filler Words and hedge words

• well
• okay
• so
• like
• basically
• actually
• literally
• seriously
• hopefully
• probably
• possibly
• quite
• relatively
• reasonably
• fairly

Filler Phrases

• I think that
• you know
• what I’m trying to say is
• you see
• I mean/you know what I mean?
• at the end of the day
• believe me
• I guess/I suppose
• or something
• stuff like that
• kind of​

Why do we use fillers?

More often than not, we use filler words and phrases such as "um" and "like" because we're thinking or we’re uncertain of what to say next.

Perhaps you are searching for the right word, or trying to formulate your next sentence.

Here are some of the most common reasons we use fillers:

• We are searching for the right word. The filler word is the sound of your decision-making process. Using a filler sound allows the speaker to indicate to the audience that there is a delay in the flow of speech.
• We are speaking about a difficult or abstract topic. During lectures, humanities professors use filler sounds 4.76 times per hundred words, which is substantially more than professors of natural sciences who use them 1.47 times per hundred words. It is believed that this is because it is harder to express abstract ideas. If you’re speaking about complex, abstract topics, your filler words will probably increase.
• We’re are lacking confidence in what we’re about to say. Often speakers will use more filler before responding to a question, especially when they’re are not 100% sure about their answer. People have a tendency to use fewer fillers if they are confident that their answer is right.
• As placeholders to let the audience know we’re going to continue speaking. While this is more common in conversations, often people will use fillers to make sure they are not interrupted. It is a social cue that you are going to continue talking.

Your specific reasons could be different from someone else's, but here are a few general tips that can help you minimize your use of fillers.

3 ways to stop using filler words

1. Notice them: listen to yourself

Listen to yourself talk, and try to figure out which filler words you are overusing.

Here are three ways to raise your awareness when it comes to filler words:

1. Download the Ummo App.  Most people use filler words like “um” and “ah” when they are speaking, but when on stage they can be very distracting to your audience. Download the Ummo app to get a handle on your “ums” and “ahs”. The app records your speech, then generates a transcript highlighting where you used filler words, so you can work on omitting them from your future talks. 
2. Listen to an audio or video recording of yourself, keep a list of the common filler words, sounds and phrases, and then mark each time you use one. Figuring out which fillers you use the most is the first step in working towards eliminating them.
3. Have a friend, colleague or mentor listen, and watch out for each time you use fillers. They can let you know in real time by raising their hand every time they hear you use one, or by tallying and feeding back to you which ones you overuse. 

2. Pause, think, speak

The number one way to get rid of the filler words is to take a couple of seconds to think about what you want to say. These short pauses of complete silence can serve two purposes: they will help you begin powerfully, and it will help you avoid using a filler word.

When you are transitioning from one idea to another, take another pause. Think about what your want to say, then say it. Don’t make these pauses very “heavy” (save longer pauses for more impact) but a two-second pause will help you reduce fillers. Don’t begin speaking until you are ready. Remember: Pause, think, speak.

While we wouldn’t suggest practicing your speech over and over until you sound robotic, if you are struggling with distracting filler words, practicing your speech will help reduce the fillers.

The better you know your presentation, the more clear the words will be in your mind, and you  won’t need to use the fillers in place of searching for them. This will result in you using them less.  

3. Use short sentences, s-l-o-w-l-y

“There isn’t any thought or idea that can’t be expressed in a fairly simple declarative sentence, or in a series of fairly simple declarative sentences.” -E.B. White

Use simple and short sentences. The longer and more complex the sentence, the more likely you to use fillers. Use more simple, clear sentences.

This will help you get your point across clearly, without leaning heavily on fillers.

Lastly, don't be afraid to slow down. When you talk quickly, your brain goes into overdrive trying to supply your mouth with the next set of words, and it becomes very easy to let fillers through.

If you slow down, you'll be able to catch and cut the fillers, with the added benefit of being more understandable.  

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Your speech pace: guide to speeding and slowing down

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Remember that even though you are on stage, the occasional “um” or “well”  isn't going to drive your audience crazy, after all, the majority of people use them daily in conversation: it’s how we naturally speak. Reducing fillers and keeping your language clean and clear is ideal, but coming off as natural and human is just as important to be relatable.

Have a great technique you’d like to share with others? Let us know!