What Are Filler Words? How to Use Them to Boost Your IELTS Speaking Score

When answering questions in the IELTS Speaking test, do you ever find yourself hesitating with sounds like “um,” “uh,” or “er”? These sounds and words are known as **filler words**, and they are a factor that can directly impact your Fluency and Coherence score.

Many candidates mistakenly believe they must eliminate them entirely, while others overuse them to the point of losing marks. So, what is the right way to use them so you sound natural without being penalized?

This article gets straight to the point: it provides a simple, clear guide on how to use filler words intelligently to enhance the natural flow of your speech, while showing you how to control them to project confidence and achieve your target IELTS score.

What are filler words and why are they important in IELTS?

Filler words are words or sounds that have no specific meaning but are used to fill gaps while you are thinking.

• Common examples: um, uh, er, well, you know, like, I mean, basically…

Why are they important for your IELTS score?

The Fluency and Coherence criterion does not require you to speak non-stop. Instead, the examiner assesses your ability to maintain the flow of your speech naturally.

• Effective use: A few “smart” filler words like “Well…” or “Let me see…” can make you sound as natural as a native speaker, giving you time to think without breaking the flow of your response.
• Poor use: Constantly overusing sounds like “uh” and “um” is seen as a sign of hesitation, indicating that you are struggling to find words or ideas, which will lower your score.

When should you use filler words in the IELTS Speaking test?

The goal is to use them as a strategic tool, not a habit. Below are situations where you CAN use filler words to your advantage.

To buy time to think (Especially in Part 3)

When an examiner asks a complex or abstract question, needing a second or two to organize your thoughts is perfectly normal. Using a filler phrase is much better than staying silent and looking away.

• Instead of: (5 seconds of silence) “…I think…”
• Use: “Well, that’s a rather tricky question. Let me think for a moment… I suppose one of the main reasons is…”
• Benefit: You appear calm, in control of the situation, and are stalling politely.

To sound more natural

Native speakers use filler words in everyday conversation. A perfectly fluent response without a single pause can sound robotic, as if you are reciting a memorized script.

• Example: “What kind of music do you like?”
• Robotic answer: “I like pop music because it is energetic.”
• More natural answer: “Well, I’m a big fan of pop music. I mean, I just love how energetic it makes me feel.”
• Benefit: Words like “Well” and “I mean” make the answer sound like a genuine conversation.

To correct yourself or clarify an idea (Self-correction)

Sometimes you might say something and immediately want to refine it for better accuracy. Filler words are the perfect tool for this.

• Example: “I go to the cinema every week… actually, I should say almost every week, when I’m not too busy with my studies.”
• Benefit: The word “actually” helps you correct yourself smoothly, which examiners value more than making a mistake and leaving it uncorrected.

Common filler word mistakes that cost you points

These are “red flags” that examiners will notice and penalize.

Overusing “um,” “uh,” “er”

These are pure sounds of hesitation. If they appear too frequently between words, it shows you are struggling to express yourself.

• Bad example: “I… uh… think that… um… technology is… uh… very important.”
• Consequence: The examiner will perceive that you lack vocabulary and the ability to express ideas fluently.

Repeating the same filler word

Even if it is a “good” filler like “you know,” using it in every sentence becomes annoying and counterproductive.

• Bad example: “I like my hometown, you know, it’s very beautiful. The people there, you know, are very friendly. And the food, you know, is amazing.”
• Consequence: It shows a limited vocabulary and a lack of flexibility in your expression.

Using filler words inappropriately

Using overly casual words like “like” indiscriminately in an academic Part 3 response can lower the formality of your answer.

• Example: “It’s, like, a major socio-economic issue.” (Sounds unprofessional)
• Consequence: You may be perceived as having a style that is too informal for an academic exam.

Practice guide to controlling filler words

Theory is meaningless without practice. Our goal is to turn filler word control from a forced effort into a natural skill. Follow this 4-step plan:

Step 1: Awareness (Diagnose the problem)

You cannot fix what you don’t know exists. Therefore, the first and most important step is to be clearly aware of your own habits.

• Action: Record yourself answering sample IELTS Speaking topics. Don’t try to speak better than usual; just answer as naturally as possible.
• Analysis: When listening back, keep a piece of paper and note down exactly which filler words you use and how often. Also, ask yourself: “When do I use this filler? When I hit a hard question? When I’m searching for vocabulary? Or when I’m transitioning between ideas?”

This step helps you visualize your habits, for example: “I tend to say ‘um, uh’ when starting an answer” or “I repeat ‘you know’ too much when explaining.”

Step 2: What to use instead of bad filler words?

Once you know your issues from Step 1, it’s time to find solutions. Instead of just telling yourself “don’t use fillers,” the best approach is to actively learn more effective alternatives.

• Method 1: Replace them with “smart” filler phrases – Memorize and practice a few safe phrases that help you stall politely and professionally.
  • Instead of “Um…”, “Uh…” → start with “Well…”
  • Instead of awkward silence → use “That’s an interesting question.” or “Let me see…”
  • Instead of saying something wrong and hesitating → use “I mean…” or “Actually…” to correct yourself.
• Method 2: This is the most effective technique to show confidence. Instead of saying “um” or “uh” to fill the gap, intentionally stay silent for 1–2 seconds to think.

Why is it effective? A purposeful pause does not show confusion. On the contrary, it shows that you are in control of the conversation and are thinking carefully before you speak. A short pause adds weight and focus to your next sentence.

Step 3: Deliberate practice

Knowing the tools is one thing; using them proficiently is another. This step helps you turn knowledge into skill.

• “Pause and Correct” exercise: Record your answer. Every time you hear yourself use “um” or “uh,” hit stop. Re-record that sentence, this time actively replacing the filler with a pause or a smart phrase you’ve memorized.
• “One-minute talk” exercise: Choose any topic and try to speak for 60 seconds without using any bad filler words. The goal is to train your brain to get used to expressing ideas more seamlessly.

Step 4: Integration and naturalization

After practicing individually, it’s time to integrate everything into a complete response.

• Action: Perform full IELTS Speaking mock tests (all 3 parts). This time, don’t focus too much on “hunting” for fillers. Instead, focus on answering the questions as well as you can.
• Goal: To let the skills you practiced in Step 3 become natural. Smart phrases and pauses will gradually become your reflex when you need time to think, replacing the unconscious “um” or “uh” from before.

Common Filler Words

Conclusion

Ultimately, remember that the goal in IELTS Speaking is not to speak non-stop. Examiners are looking for a natural and controlled communicator. Instead of trying to eliminate every filler word, focus on replacing the habit of using “um” and “uh” with more effective techniques like using “Well…” or a short, intentional pause. This level of control is what distinguishes a high-band candidate from others and will help you achieve your target score.