IELTS Speaking Fillers: How to Avoid Overuse

Quick Answer: Fillers like “um,” “uh,” “like,” and “you know” can hurt your fluency score if overused. To avoid overuse, practice pausing instead of filling silence, extend your planning time, and replace fillers with genuine discourse markers (e.g., “That’s an interesting question…”). With targeted practice, you can sound more natural and score higher.

Table of Contents

What Are Fillers in IELTS Speaking?

Why Do Test Takers Overuse Fillers?

How to Reduce Fillers – Practical Strategies

Band Score Comparison Table

What Are Fillers in IELTS Speaking?

Fillers are words or sounds we use to hold the floor while thinking. Common examples include:

Verbal fillers: “um,” “uh,” “er,” “ah”

Phrase fillers: “like,” “you know,” “I mean,” “sort of,” “actually,” “basically”

Repeated fillers: Repeating the first word of a sentence (“The… the… the problem is…”)

In lower bands (5–6), frequent fillers break the flow of speech. In higher bands (7+), occasional pauses are acceptable, but repeated fillers harm coherence and lexical resource.

Why Do Test Takers Overuse Fillers?

Nervousness: Fear of silence pushes you to say something, anything.

Lack of planning time: In Part 2, students panic and start without a clear structure.

Habit: Many non-native speakers transfer filler habits from their first language.

Incomplete vocabulary: When the right word doesn’t come quickly, fillers fill the gap.

Recognising the cause is the first step to solving it.

How to Reduce Fillers – Practical Strategies

1. Replace Fillers with Micro-Pauses

Instead of saying “um,” simply pause for one second. Silence sounds confident. Practise by recording yourself and counting your pauses – aim for two or three natural pauses per long turn.

2. Use Discourse Markers

Discourse markers act as bridges between ideas without being filler. Examples:

“Let me think about that…” (buys time naturally)

“That’s a good question…” (acknowledges the question)

“So, in my view…” (signals opinion)

“What I’m trying to say is…” (rephrasing)

“To give you a concrete example…” (transition to example)

These phrases show the examiner you are organising your thoughts, not blanking out.

3. Slow Down Your Speech Speed

Fast talkers use more fillers. Deliberately slow your pace by 10–15%. This gives your brain extra milliseconds to retrieve words and reduces the need for “um.”

4. Practise the “Fill the Gap” Exercise

Take a question and force yourself to answer without any filler. If you pause, restart. Start with 30-second answers, then extend to 1 minute.

5. Use Part 2 Notes Effectively

In Part 2, use the 1-minute preparation to write down key vocabulary and transitions. Don’t write full sentences – just bullet points. This reduces mental scrambling during your talk.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Uses fillers occasionally (every 20–30 seconds) but still maintains basic coherence. Speaks with some hesitation but can be understood. Sometimes repeats fillers like “uh” when searching for ideas.
7	Uses fillers rarely (every 40–60 seconds) and only for genuine thinking. Uses discourse markers (e.g., “Actually,” “You see”) more than basic fillers. Hesitation does not obscure meaning.
8	Almost no fillers. Occasionally uses a natural pause or a rephrasing marker. Fluent with only minor, natural hesitations (e.g., “Let me see…”). Speech sounds smooth and connected.
9	No noticeable fillers. All “pauses” are meaningful – used for emphasis or rhetorical effect. Uses a wide range of discourse markers flexibly. Speech is effortless, with almost zero hesitation.

Sample Answers

Band 7: Question: Do you prefer living in a city or the countryside?

“Well, that’s an interesting question. Um… I actually prefer living in the countryside because it’s quieter. You know, there’s less traffic and pollution. So, for me, the peace of nature is really important. I mean, I used to live in a city, and it was too crowded. So yeah, countryside is my choice.”

Comment: Uses “um” once, “you know” once, and “I mean” once. Acceptable for Band 7. Band 8: Question: Same question.

“That’s a good question. I think I lean towards the countryside, mainly because of the slower pace of life. To be precise, I value peace and fresh air more than convenience. For instance, I can go for walks without noise, and that really helps me relax. While cities offer entertainment, they can be draining over time.”

Comment: No fillers like “um” or “like.” Uses “to be precise” and “for instance” as discourse markers. Smooth delivery. Band 9: Question: Same question.

“That’s an excellent question. I’d say my preference hinges on my stage of life. At this moment, the countryside appeals to me immensely – the serenity, the space, the connection to nature. However, I should add that cities provide unparalleled opportunities for social and professional growth. If I had to choose now, I’d opt for a rural setting, but I can certainly appreciate both.”

Comment: Zero fillers. Uses rhetorical devices (“hinges on”, “if I had to choose now”). Natural pausing between ideas. Impressive range of vocabulary and structure.

Common Mistakes

❌Relying on “like” multiple times per sentence

“Like, I think like the weather is like really hot.” This sounds unsure and reduces lexical range. Replace “like” with specific adjectives or omit it entirely.

❌Using “you know” after every opinion

“You know, pollution is bad, you know, and we should recycle, you know?” Overdoes it. Use “you know” only once or twice in the whole test, and only when you’re sharing something obvious.

❌Filling every gap with “actually” or “basically”

These become repetitive and lose meaning. Save them for specific emphasis, not as thought-starters.

Top Tips

💡 Record yourself daily. Listen for fillers and count them. Aim for zero fillers in a 1-minute answer by week two.

💡 Practise the “silent 3-second rule.” When you get a question, wait 3 seconds before speaking. Use that time to plan your first sentence. Silence is better than “um.”

💡 Learn 5 flexible discourse markers that work in any part: “Frankly,” “In a nutshell,” “Surprisingly,” “To put it another way,” “That said…” Rotate them to avoid repetition.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their speaking mock tests with real-time feedback can pinpoint your filler usage.

FAQ

Q: Are fillers totally forbidden in IELTS Speaking? A: No. Occasional fillers (every 40–60 seconds) are acceptable even at Band 7+. The problem is overuse – multiple fillers in a single sentence. Q: What’s the difference between a filler and a discourse marker? A: A filler (e.g., “um”) has no meaning and adds nothing. A discourse marker (e.g., “That’s a tough question but…”) adds meaning, buys time, and shows organisation. Q: Can I use “well” as a filler? A: Yes – “Well” is a mini discourse marker that is acceptable in moderation. Use it once at the start of your answer, then avoid repeating it. Q: I get nervous and use “you know” constantly. What can I do? A: Replace “you know” with a pause or a specific phrase like “obviously” or “as we all know.” Write down three alternatives and use only those. Q: How long should I practise to see improvement? A: Most students reduce fillers by 50% after 10 days of daily 5-minute speaking drills. Full fluency (zero fillers) may take 4–6 weeks.

Key Takeaways

✅Fillers are normal but overuse signals low fluency. Aim for fewer than 2–3 in a 2-minute Part 2 talk.

✅Replace fillers with micro-pauses and discourse markers like “Let me think” or “To be specific.”

✅Slow your speech by 10–15% to give your brain time to retrieve words.

✅Use the 1-minute preparation in Part 2 to outline key vocabulary, reducing mid-speech panic.

✅Record and self-evaluate daily – awareness is half the battle.

Related Posts:

IELTS Speaking Part 2: The Perfect One-Minute Preparation

How to Use Discourse Markers to Boost Your Score

10 Common Pronunciation Mistakes in IELTS Speaking