F is for Fillers!

thespanglishspeake
May 9
2 min read

What are fillers

When native English speakers talk, they don’t speak in perfect sentences all the time. They pause, think, change their minds, and give themselves time to speak. To do this, they often use fillers and fluency words.

Fillers are short words or expressions that don’t add important information, but help the conversation flow naturally.

Common English fillers (and how to use them)

1. “Well…”

Used to start an answer, especially if you’re thinking or your answer is not simple.

Well, I’m not sure.
Well, it depends.

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2. “So…”

Used to start a sentence, change topic, or show a conclusion.

So, what are your plans for the weekend?
So, that’s why I decided to change jobs.

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3. “You know…”

Used to connect with the listener or check if they understand.

It was very stressful, you know?
She’s really kind, you know, very patient.

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4. “I mean…”

Used to correct, explain, or clarify what you just said.

It was late — I mean, after midnight.
He lives nearby, I mean, about five minutes from here.

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5. “Actually…”

Used to correct information or introduce a small surprise.

Actually, I don’t drink coffee.
It’s not difficult. Actually, it’s quite easy.

⚠️ Note: actually does not mean actualmente.

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6. “Like…”

Very common in spoken English, especially informal speech.

It was, like, really cold.
She was like, “No way!”

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Tips for learners (all levels)

Start with “well” and “so”
Use fillers only when speaking, not in exams or formal writing
Listen to real conversations (podcasts, series, interviews)
Don’t try to use many fillers at once
Don’t copy every filler you hear — choose a few and practise them

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Fluency is not about speaking fast or perfectly. Don’t be afraid to use these breaks to help if you need to think of the right word or you’re not sure what to say.

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