Filler Words to Avoid: um, actually, you know
Fillers make you sound unsure. Spot your habits and replace them with confident pauses.
4 min read · Published 2026-07-16
Fillers are pause-fillers we use when thinking. Too many hurt clarity.
Common fillers
um, uh, like, you know, actually, basically, I mean, sort of.
Why avoid
They signal nervousness. In interviews they cost marks.
The fix: pause
Silence is fine. Take a breath instead of "um". A calm pause sounds confident.
How to spot yours
Record a 1-minute talk. Count fillers. Most people find 10-20. Aim for under 3.
SpeakNow feedback
The app flags filler words in your speech so you see real numbers, not guesses.
7-day plan
Day 1-2: notice. Day 3-4: pause instead. Day 5-7: aim for clean answers. Small wins stack.
Put this into practice. Try the free SpeakNow speaking trainer →