Lesson 52: How to Eliminate Filler Words and Speak with Clarity
“The silence between your words is just as powerful as the words themselves.”
— Unknown
Why Filler Words Matter
Everyone uses filler words—“um,” “uh,” “like,” “you know,” and similar expressions. They’re a natural part of spontaneous speech. But in public speaking, overusing them can:
Weaken credibility
Interrupt flow and clarity
Signal nervousness or lack of preparation
Listeners may not consciously notice every “um,” but they will feel the lack of confidence or fluency they signal.
Fortunately, filler words are not a personality trait—they’re a habit. And habits can be changed.
What Causes Filler Words?
Filler words often appear:
When your brain is catching up with your mouth
When you’re uncomfortable with silence
When you don’t fully trust what you’re about to say
When you’re transitioning but unsure how
Understanding this helps you replace mindless noise with purposeful silence.
Strategies to Reduce Filler Words
1. Embrace the Pause
Silence feels uncomfortable, but it signals control.
Instead of saying:
“So, um, today I want to talk about…”
Say:
[Pause] “Today I want to talk about…”
2. Slow Your Rate of Speech
Rushing increases filler words. Slow down slightly, especially before transitioning ideas.
3. Prepare Your Transitions
Many fillers happen between points. Practice transition phrases in advance:
“Let’s move to the next idea.”
“Here’s why this matters.”
“To summarise…”
4. Record Yourself Speaking
You can’t fix what you don’t notice. Record a short speech, listen back, and count filler words.
5. Practice with Constraints
Try giving a 1-minute talk with one rule: no filler words. If one slips out, start over.
Real-Life Example
Before:
“I, um, really think that, like, we should try a different approach, you know?”
After:
“I believe we should try a different approach.”
More focused. More credible. More confident.
Practice Exercise: Audio Awareness Challenge
Record a 2-minute explanation of a familiar topic (e.g., your morning routine).
Replay and count every filler word.
Repeat the recording, replacing filler words with pauses.
Compare the two versions—how does your clarity, tone, or presence shift?
Key Takeaways
Filler words are habits, not flaws.
Silence is a strength, not a weakness.
The fewer distractions in your speech, the more your ideas stand out.
Confidence is often found in the spaces between your sentences.
