Using fillers helps you sound natural in English, especially in small talk, stand-ups, and Q&A. Keep a balance: a few fillers for rhythm; fewer in presentations and interviews. Practice with mini-drills:
• “Well, I’m not sure about that.”
• “Actually, the meeting is tomorrow.”
• “You know, the traffic at this hour…”
• “I mean, the deadline is tight, but doable.”
• “It takes like two hours.”
Review one conversation per day and rewrite a sentence to sound natural in English without overusing fillers.

Quick drills (2 minutes):
• Replace silence with one English filler: “Well, I agree with the main idea.” / “Actually, we need more data.” / “You know, the traffic was bad.”
• Paraphrase with a filler + idea: “I mean, the deadline is tight, but still possible.”
• Link examples: “Like, two or three options could work.”

Where English fillers shine
Casual chats, team stand-ups, brainstorming, small talk, and Q&A—moments when you speak spontaneously. In these settings, English fillers keep your rhythm while you choose the next word.

Where to use fewer
Presentations, job interviews, or executive meetings. Aim for clarity first and sprinkle one or two English fillers at most.
For a clear overview of how fillers connect ideas, see discourse markers in English.

Mini-dialog (natural vs robotic)
Robotic: “I missed the bus. I took the wrong route. I arrived late.”
Natural: “Well, I missed the bus… you know, I took the wrong route, so I got here a bit late.”

Keep improving
Start a note on your phone titled “English fillers I use.” After each conversation, add one sentence you said with a filler. Review weekly. You’ll hear your speaking become smoother and more confident—without overusing them.

Ready to speak English naturally in real conversations? Join General English for Adults at LIA.