Filler words, like um and well, give you time to think.
They also make you sound like a native speaker!
When you are thinking of a word:
- um
- uh
EXAMPLE: “I was at the school for parent teacher, um, conferences yesterday.”
When someone asks you a question:
- Well…
- Hmm…
- Let’s see…
EXAMPLE: “How is your mother doing?” “Well… she was in the hospital last week but is OK now.”
When you are transitioning to another thought:
- And then…
- And so…
- So basically…
EXAMPLE: “Tommy had the flu… so basically I couldn’t go to work…”
Try them out! Listen to how native English speakers use them too.