Fillin' in the fillers - Platzi

You don't have access to this class

Keep learning! Join and start boosting your career

If you already have an account,

Resources

What are fillers and why should you know them?

On numerous occasions, when speaking in English you may find yourself in moments of hesitation. It is at these moments that fillers, or filler words, come into play. These are words or phrases that, while often meaningless, are essential to sound more natural and save time when thinking about what to say next.

What are the most common fillers in English?

Like: Used in colloquial English to introduce comparisons or simply to buy time while you think. Example: "She has like a million shoes."
So: Often used to join sentences or refocus the conversation. Example: "So, should we get a cab now?"
Um/Uh/Er: These are perhaps the most common, universally used to indicate a pause while you think. Example: "I um don't think you want to go that way."
You know: This phrase is often added to the end of sentences to make sure the listener is following you. Example: "I always bring an umbrella, you know, just in case."

How do fillers help you sound more natural when speaking English?

By using fillers, your speech becomes more like that of native speakers, as these small words and sounds are ubiquitous in conversational English. In addition, fillers not only give you time to think, but they can also soften your utterances or make your speech sound less abrupt.

What is reduction and how is it applied in English?

Reduction is another important technique that can make your speech sound more fluent and natural. One example is how native speakers often omit the "G" in words ending in -ING. Not only does this slightly change the pronunciation, but it is also a sign of more advanced proficiency.

He's painting the walls vs He's paintin' the walls
They will be coming vs They will be comin'

How to practice fillers and reductions on your own?

Practicing alone can be a great way to improve your fluency without the pressure of speaking in front of others. Try creating a dialogue in which you play both roles: you and a supposed friend. Here are some tips:

Create a fictitious dialogue: write a conversation in which you can use reductions and fillers. Practice it until you feel comfortable.
Record yourself: Listen to yourself and analyze your progress. Observe where you add fillers and how you apply reductions.
Upload results in comments: Share your recordings with others to get feedback.

By following these steps and tips, you will gradually become more natural and fluent like a native English speaker. Keep practicing and don't hesitate to seek feedback to constantly improve!

Contributions 40

Questions 2

Sort by:

Want to see more contributions, questions and answers from the community?

Santiago Tellez Hernandez

Paula Useche

* Hey Monic, **what’s up**? * Hi James, I’m good, **Howrya goin’**? * Well, **um**, not so good. * Why? What happened? * Remember Stacy, my girlfriend? * **Lemme** think… oh yeah! The girl with the red hair. * Yes. We’re **havin’**, **you know**, relationship problems. * No! But you looked like a perfect couple. * I know! I **wanna** run up to her and tell her that. She **hasta** understand that we’re perfect. * But wait… Why are you **havin’** troubles? * **Uh**, well, I missed out on her ballet presentation. * **Whenjya** do that?! * **Like**, yesterday? The day after her birthday that I also missed. * **So, lemme** understand… did you miss two important days for her? * Yes… * What are you **gonna** do know? * I **hafta** do something huge for her! I **gotta** go to the moon and bring her a unique stone. * That’s impossible! * I know… **Howdya** fix something like this? * You can, **um**, invite her to dinner. * I don’t know if that’s enough… * Don’t worry. Take your time to think about it and, let’s get a pizza in the meantime! * I don’t want pizza, it reminds me of her. * **Whaddya** want then? * A burger.

Marina Barraza

Platzi Team

Hey, what’s up?
I’m doin’ great. What about you?
-Well, um, to be honest, so so. I wanna go on vacation with my girlfriend but I hafta work, and my car is broken since last week…
-Uh, sorry, I get it. Howdya go to work?
-I’m goin’ by bus, you know? Its late, I gotta go. So, Lemme call you later.
-Of course, um, I’m goin’ to my work too, see you later!

Keysi Nallely Rivera Henriquez

.

Sofia Ortiz Trujillo

https://voca.ro/1lxKAkuGqAsI

Hey, howrya?

Uh, so so
What’s up?
You know, life can be hard

Erika Tatiana Benítez Velíz

Hey, what’s up?

Andrés Felipe Barreto Hernandez

**Fillers** Like So Um/Uh/Er You know? I, **um,** don't think you want to go that way. She has, **like,** a million shoes. I always bring an umbrella. **you know,** just in case. **So,** should we get a taxi now? **Speaking "naturally"** It is common that most English speakers will drop the "**g**" in words containing **"ing"** He's **paintin'** the walls. They will be **comin'** soon. I cook **listenin'** to music. She was **waitin'** for us.

Juan manuel

**A:** Hey, how's it goin'? (*Reduction of "going" to "goin'*") **B:** Oh, you know, can't complain. What 'bout you? (*Reduction of "about" to "'bout"*) **A:** Same here. So, d'you manage to finish that report? (*Reduction of "did you" to "d'you"*) **B:** Ugh, not yet. Been swamped with meetings all day. You? (*Fillers: "Ugh" to express frustration; Reduction of "I have been" to "Been"*) **A:** Yeah, I get that. I barely got started, honestly. Might just pull an all-nighter. (*Fillers: "Yeah" to confirm and acknowledge*) **B:** Oof, good luck with that. You sure you wanna do that? (*Fillers: "Oof" to express concern; Reduction of "want to" to "wanna"*) **A:** I mean, do I have a choice? Boss wants it done by tomorrow, so... yeah. (*Fillers: "I mean" to introduce the idea; Reduction: omission of subject "the" before "boss"*) **B:** Fair point. Anyway, lemme know if you need any help later. (*Reduction of "let me" to "lemme"*) **A:** Will do, thanks. Oh, by the way, did you hear 'bout that new project they’re starting? (*Reduction of "about" to "'bout"*) **B:** Yeah, kinda heard somethin’ 'bout it. What’s the deal with that? (*Reduction of "about" to "'bout"; Fillers: "kinda" to express uncertainty*) **A:** Well, from what I gather, it's supposed to be huge, like, game-changer stuff. But no one's given details yet. (*Fillers: "like" to soften the statement*) **B:** Mmm, sounds interesting. Hope they don’t throw too much our way. I’m already buried. (*Fillers: "Mmm" to express thoughtfulness*) **A:** Right? We'll see. But hey, I gotta run. Catch ya later! (*Reduction of "you" to "ya"*) **B:** For sure. Take it easy!

MARIA TERESA PANIAGUA RIVERA

Thank you

Carolina Echeverria

Hey, what's up? I'm doing great. What about you? -Well, um, to be honest, so so. I wanna go on vacation with my boyfriend but I have work, and my car is too dirty since last week.. -Uh, sorry, I get it. How do I go to work? -I'm going by bus, you know? Its late, I gotta go. So, Lemme call you later. -Of course, um, I'm going in' to my work too, see you later!

Juan David Oyola

<https://voca.ro/1bQlNbj0wLAP>

Jason Morales Rodriguez

Hi, actually this is my first time right here and I hafta meet everyone and knowin’ you guys I’ll ask you all where is the taco place

Alex Flores

https://voca.ro/1n8zGFTdiIoQ

Jackelyn Julissa

howrya feelin', you know, learning english?

Valeria Elizabeth Díaz Rodríguez

Hey, what’s up?

Sebastian Silva

Hi! What’s up!
Hey man! Everything’s fine. Whaddaya doin?
I was cookin’ for my mother, you know, since she’s sick.
Got ya. Um, howrya handlin’ it?
Well, I take care of her in the mornings and my sister does in the afternoon. If it were for her, she would take care of our mom all day, like, she’d love it, but she has no time. She gotta work in the mornings.

Ibeth Maricela Rivera Melgar

jsjsjs the teacher is very funny!

José Mario Navarrete Valle

hello

Axel Antonio Moreno Ponce

Thank you

Diana Nayeli Ayala Ramírez

😉

Maria Belen Bonilla Barrera

,

Esmeralda Guadalupe Bonilla Alvarado

So
Like
Um
You know

Esmeralda Guadalupe Bonilla Alvarado

Here I go: Conversation Hope you like it

Esmeralda Guadalupe Bonilla Alvarado

Hey, what’s up?
I’m doin’ great. What about you?
-Well, um, to be honest, so so. I wanna go on vacation with my girlfriend but I hafta work, and my car is broken since last week…
-Uh, sorry, I get it. Howdya go to work?
-I’m goin’ by bus, you know? Its late, I gotta go. So, Lemme call you later.
-Of course, um, I’m goin’ to my

Esmeralda Guadalupe Bonilla Alvarado

Hey, what’s up?
I’m doin’ great. What about you?
-Well, um, to be honest, so so. I wanna go on vacation with my girlfriend but I hafta work, and my car is broken since last week…
-Uh, sorry, I get it. Howdya go to work?
-I’m goin’ by bus, you know? Its late, I gotta go. So, Lemme call you later.
-Of course, um, I’m goin’ to my work too, see you later!

Esmeralda Guadalupe Bonilla Alvarado

Hey, what’s up?

Esmeralda Guadalupe Bonilla Alvarado

Hey man do not ask your mom for money hahaha nice job man keep up the good work…

Jonathan Alexis Portillo Portillo

You know

Jonathan Alexis Portillo Portillo

Hey, what’s up?
I’m doin’ great. What about you?
-Well, um, to be honest, so so. I wanna go on vacation with my girlfriend but I hafta work, and my car is broken since last week…
-Uh, sorry, I get it. Howdya go to work?
-I’m goin’ by bus, you know? Its late, I gotta go. So, Lemme call you later.
-Of course, um, I’m goin’ to my

Jonathan Alexis Portillo Portillo

Hey, what’s up?

Jonathan Alexis Portillo Portillo

Hey man do not ask your mom for money hahaha nice job man keep up the good work…

Wilber Antonio Guevara Revelo

Hi

Wilber Antonio Guevara Revelo

Hey, what’s up?
I’m doin’ great. What about you?
-Well, um, to be honest, so so. I wanna go on vacation with my girlfriend but I hafta work, and my car is broken since last week…
-Uh, sorry, I get it. Howdya go to work?
-I’m goin’ by bus, you know? Its late, I gotta go. So, Lemme call you later.
-Of course, um, I’m goin’ to my

Wilber Antonio Guevara Revelo

Hey man do not ask your mom for money hahaha nice job man keep up the good work…

Esmeralda Marisol Solís Vásquez

Good

Miguel Eduardo Ardón Arévalo

good

Iván Eduardo Beltrán Reyes

thanks

Christian Isturiz

Here I go: Conversation Hope you like it!

Angela Mateus

Here I go!

Thanks for feedback!!

Bervivez

So
Like
Um
You know