A filler word, also known as a pause filler or hesitation form, is a word or phrase we use to fill silence when we speak. So, the function of a filler word is to give you a break while you think, without an awkward, silent pause. Using the right amount of filler words will even make you sound like native English speaker.

1) Well…
I guess we’re all pretty familiar with this word. It’s probably the most common word anyone would say to hesitate.

A: How much are those shoes?
B: It’s $129, Ma’am.
A: WELL..,(thinking why are they so expensive) What about those one?

2) You know…
It’s usually added onto the end of a sentence to make sure that the listener just understands what you mean.

Example 1:
A: Where do we stay tonight?
B: We stay at that hotel, YOU KNOW, the one down the street from Times Square.

Example 2:
A : Shopping has always been Lily’s way of dealing with problems, you know?
B : Uh huh.

3) I guess / I suppose …
They’re usually used to hesitate when you’re not really sure about what you’re saying.

A: I suppose (or guess) it’s going to rain today.
B: Oh, I don’t know. Maybe so, maybe not.

4) At the end of the day…
It is a phrase that means “in the end” or “in conclusion.”

You don’t have to study hard, but at the end of the day, it will be you who will have bear the consequences.

A: What do you think about him? He’s great, isn’t he?

B: I mean, he’s a great guy, I’m just not sure if he’s good for me.

A: My computer keeps lagging all day long.

B: So you see, rebooting the computer fixed the entire problem

Related post(s):

• #EngTips: Ending conversations
• #EngTips: Useful English conversation phrases (1)
• #EngTips: Asking people to repeat things
• #GrammarTrivia: Yeah
• #AUSSlang: Australian slang (2)

^MQ