Table of Contents
Introduction
Conversation fillers are words or expressions used to temporarily fill pauses or gaps in speech, providing speakers with time to gather their thoughts or maintain the flow of conversation.
In this article, we’ll delve into the concept of conversation fillers and examine various words and phrases that can help sustain and enrich dialogue.
What are conversation fillers?
During a conversation, silence can be embarrassing. To keep the conversation going, it is recommended to use conversation fillers. These are words, phrases or merely sounds that we use to actively listen to someone speaking or to give ourselves thinking time before we answer a question, especially if we don’t understand it.
Conversation fillers fall under the category of formulaic language that we retrieve from memory to sound fluent.
Conversation fillers in English
Conversation fillers will help you sound fluent like a native speaker. Here are some examples of conversation fillers.
While Listening
- Really?
- Right…
- Sure…
- How awful!
- Oh no!
- You’re joking!
- What a pity!
- Auxiliary verbs to make short questions (as in “Have you? Did you? Is it?…“)
- Non-words (as in “mmm, uh-huh…“)
- “Hmm, interesting.”
- “I see what you mean.”
- “Oh, that’s unexpected!”
- “Really? Tell me more.”
- “Wow, I never knew that.”
While Speaking
- Well…
- Ok…
- So…
- Let me think…
- I mean…
- I guess/think…
- You know…
- Like (as in “I’m… like… really sad that you lost your…“)
- What I want to say is…
- The point I want to make is…
- Anyway,…
- Well, what I mean is that…
- Back to our topic…
- As I was saying…
- The basic idea is…
- kind of… (as in “he’s kind of nice…“)
- Let me elaborate…
- Actually…
- To be honest…
- From my perspective…
- In my experience…
- It’s worth noting that…
- I suppose…
Why are Conversation Fillers Uesd?
Conversation fillers play a crucial role in maintining and engaging in convesrations, providing speakers with valuable tools to use pauses, clarify thoughts, and maintain engagement. Their usage is driven by various factors, each contributing to the effectiveness and fluidity of communication.
Reasons for Using Conversation Fillers:
- Facilitating Smooth Transitions: Fillers help segue between topics or thoughts seamlessly, preventing abrupt shifts in conversation.
- Managing Pauses: They serve to fill brief silences, preventing awkwardness and maintaining the rhythm of the dialogue.
- Indicating Active Listening: Employing fillers like “mm-hmm” or “I see” signals to the speaker that the listener is attentive and engaged.
- Buying Thinking Time: Fillers provide speakers with a moment to gather their thoughts or formulate a response, especially when faced with complex questions or uncertain situations.
- Clarifying Understanding: Using fillers such as “you know” or “uh-huh” can prompt the speaker to elaborate or clarify their point, ensuring mutual comprehension.
- Expressing Politeness or Agreement: Certain fillers, like “please” or “of course,” convey politeness or indicate agreement, fostering a positive conversational atmosphere.
- Enhancing Fluency: Incorporating fillers into speech patterns contributes to the natural flow of conversation, making dialogue more coherent and engaging.
These reasons collectively underscore the importance and utility of conversation fillers in effective communication.
Conclusion
To maintain a conversation, use conversation fillers like “really,” “you know,” and “anyway.” These words and phrases serve as linguistic bridges, facilitating smoother transitions between thoughts and providing subtle cues of engagement or agreement. Incorporating these fillers enhances the fluidity and coherence of dialogue, ensuring a more dynamic and interactive exchange.
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