StageMinute

Filler word drill

How to stop saying um

Swap the um for a short pause. Spin a topic, press Talk about this, and speak for one minute while you listen for your fillers.

Last updated

Sample topics

Sample topic: What you had for breakfast

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Why we say um

Um, uh, like, so and you know are filler words. We use them to hold our turn while the brain finds the next words.

A few fillers are normal, and most listeners don't notice them. They start to hurt when they come in every sentence, because you sound unsure even when you aren't.

Fillers grow with nerves and with not knowing what comes next. So the fix is less about willpower and more about practice: knowing your next line, and getting used to a moment of silence.

A one-minute drill to cut filler words

  1. 1

    Pause instead.

    When you feel an um coming, close your mouth and pause for a beat. Silence sounds calm to the listener.

  2. 2

    Know your first and last line.

    Most fillers come at the start and the end. Use PREP so you always know where you're going.

  3. 3

    Count, then repeat.

    After each round, guess how many fillers you used. Do the same topic again and aim for fewer.

Before: an answer full of fillers

Sample answer

Topic: Should everyone learn to cook?

Point
Um, so, I think, like, everyone should, you know, learn to cook.
Reason
Because, um, it's basically a skill you use, like, every single day.
Example
So, uh, when I moved out, I, like, only knew how to make tea, and I, um, spent way too much on takeaways.
Point
So yeah, um, I think everyone should learn. That's it, I guess.

After: the same answer, with pauses

Sample answer

Topic: Should everyone learn to cook?

Point
Everyone should learn to cook. (pause)
Reason
It's a skill you use every single day, for the rest of your life.
Example
When I moved out, I only knew how to make tea. (pause) I spent far too much on takeaways until I learned a few simple meals.
Point
So learn to cook. It saves money, and it's one less thing to worry about.

40 topics for a filler-word drill

Easy warm-up topics

  • What you had for breakfast
  • Your favourite film
  • The best thing about today
  • A place you'd like to visit
  • Your morning routine
  • A friend you admire
  • Your favourite app
  • The last book you read
  • A food you don't like
  • How you got here today

Topics you know well

  • Explain your job or course
  • How to make your favourite drink
  • The rules of a game you play
  • Your hometown
  • A hobby you love
  • How you plan your week
  • A phone shortcut you use every day
  • Your favourite teacher
  • The best way to get to your office or college
  • How you'd spend a free day

Opinion topics (where fillers creep in)

  • Is it better to text or call?
  • Should exams be open book?
  • Are online friends real friends?
  • Is breakfast the most important meal?
  • Should everyone have a side project?
  • Is it rude to use your phone at dinner?
  • Are long meetings ever useful?
  • Should children have phones?
  • Is it better to save or spend?
  • Are e-books better than paper books?

Work and interview topics

  • Tell me about yourself
  • Why you want this job
  • Your biggest strength
  • A mistake you learned from
  • Explain a project you did
  • Give a quick team update
  • Explain a problem to your manager
  • Pitch an idea in one minute
  • Say no to a request politely
  • Thank your team after a big week

Want a different round? Try 1 minute speech topics or Impromptu speech topics.

Mistakes when cutting filler words

  • Trying for zero.

    A filler here and there is fine. Aim for fewer, not none, or you'll freeze.

  • Swapping um for “so” or “like”.

    A new filler is still a filler. Swap it for a pause instead.

  • Talking faster to hide them.

    Speed brings more fillers. Slow down a little and finish each sentence.

  • Practising only in your head.

    Fillers only show up when you speak. Practise out loud with the timer.

Questions

Why do I say um so much?

Usually because you're looking for the next word and don't want to leave a silence. Nerves and not knowing your next point make it worse.

Is saying um always bad?

No. A few fillers sound natural. They become a problem when they're in almost every sentence.

What can I say instead of um?

Nothing. A short pause works better than any word. It gives you time to think and sounds confident.

How long does it take to stop saying um?

It's different for everyone. Short daily practice out loud, where you notice your fillers, helps more than one long session.

How can I count my filler words?

Ask a friend to tap the table each time you say one, or record yourself on your own phone and listen back. Then try the same topic again.

What is StageMinute?

A speaking-practice app coming soon to Android. You spin a topic, speak for up to a minute, and get a report with a score and one thing to fix.