English Filler Words & Conversation Connectors Guide

You studied English for years. You know the grammar rules. You have the vocabulary. But every time you speak, something feels... off. You sound like a textbook — not a real person having a real conversation.

The missing ingredient? English filler words and conversation connectors — the small words and phrases like well, you know, I mean, and actually that native English speakers use constantly without even thinking about them.

Quick Summary: English filler words (like well, you know, so, and actually) aren't mistakes — they're the glue that makes spoken English sound natural. This guide covers the 10 most common filler words in English, 30+ conversation connectors organized by function, and side-by-side example dialogues showing the difference between robotic and natural English speech.

Why Filler Words Are Your Secret Weapon for Natural English

Here's something your English textbooks never taught you: native English speakers use filler words roughly 6–8 times per minute in casual conversation. That's not sloppy speaking — it's how people actually talk.

Linguists call these "discourse markers" — small words that serve practical functions in speech beyond their literal meaning. For English learners, understanding them is the difference between sounding like a robot and sounding like a real person.

Filler words in English serve three essential purposes:

1. Buying time — They give your brain a moment to think and find the next word (um, well, let me think...)
2. Softening what you say — They make direct statements feel less blunt (I think, kind of, honestly)
3. Keeping the listener engaged — They signal you're still speaking or check if the other person is following (you know?, right?, does that make sense?)

When you skip these words entirely, your English sounds grammatically correct but socially awkward. Learning to speak English fluently and confidently means mastering not just what you say, but the small filler words that hold everything together.

10 Essential English Filler Words (With Examples)

These are the most common filler words you'll hear in almost every English conversation. Master these first — they'll immediately make your speaking sound more natural.

Well

What it does: Shows you're thinking or about to say something nuanced.

• "Well, I wouldn't say it's the best restaurant, but the pasta is great."
• "Well... I guess we could try that approach."

Use well when someone asks you a question and your answer isn't simple. It signals "let me think about this for a moment."

Um, Uh, Er

What they do: Universal hesitation fillers — completely normal in every language.

• "The meeting is at, um, three o'clock? No, wait — two."
• "I was thinking we could, uh, go to that new place downtown."

American English speakers tend to say um and uh. British English speakers lean toward er and erm. Neither is wrong — and trying to eliminate these filler sounds from your speech entirely makes you sound less human, not more polished.

Like

What it does: Fills pauses, signals approximation, or softens what you're about to say.

• "She has like ten cats. It's wild." (approximation — probably not exactly ten)
• "I was like, really surprised when he said that." (emphasis)

A word of caution: like is the most commonly overused filler word in English. One or two per sentence is fine. Saying like every three words can undermine what you're trying to say, especially in professional settings.

You know

What it does: Creates connection with the listener, checks if they're following what you say.

• "It was one of those days, you know? Everything just went wrong."
• "We went to that café — you know, the one near the park."

You know is one of the most versatile English fillers because it pulls the listener right into the conversation. It basically says "I trust you understand what I mean."

I mean

What it does: Clarifies or corrects what you just said, or emphasizes what you really mean.

• "The movie was fine. I mean, it wasn't amazing, but I enjoyed it."
• "I want to go — I mean, if that's okay with everyone."

I mean is the perfect self-correction tool. If you say the wrong word, just follow it with I mean and the right one. Native speakers do this all the time.

Actually / Basically / Honestly

These three common adverb fillers each add a different flavor:

• Actually — introduces a correction or surprise: "Actually, the meeting was moved to Friday."
• Basically — summarizes or simplifies: "Basically, we need to start over from the beginning."
• Honestly — adds sincerity and emphasis: "Honestly, I have no idea what happened."

These words are used so commonly in spoken English that skipping them entirely makes you sound unusually formal. You don't need to say them in every sentence, but adding them naturally to your speech is a big step toward fluency.

So / Right / Okay

These are transition fillers — words used to signal shifts in conversation:

• So — introduces a new topic or summary: "So, what are we doing this weekend?"
• Right — seeks agreement: "We need to leave by six, right?"
• Okay — signals you're ready to move on: "Okay, let's talk about the next item."

You'll hear speakers say so at the start of almost every new conversation topic in English. It's one of the most useful filler words to adopt early on.

Conversation Connectors by Function

Filler words handle pauses. Conversation connectors handle direction. They tell your listener what you're about to do — agree, disagree, change topics, or express surprise.

Think of connectors as turn signals for your English conversations. If you want to explore more speaking scenarios, check out our list of English conversation practice topics for every level.

Agreeing With Someone

Example: "I think the bus is faster than driving." → "Yeah, for sure. Especially during rush hour."

Disagreeing Politely

This is where many English learners struggle. Direct disagreement ("No, you're wrong") sounds aggressive. These common phrases soften what you say:

Example: "This is the best restaurant in town." → "Hmm, I see what you mean, but I actually think the Italian place is better."

Buying Time to Think

These phrases are lifesavers when you need an extra moment — especially when you're speaking English as a second language:

• "That's a good question..."
• "Let me think about that for a second..."
• "How should I put this..."
• "Hmm, let me see..."
• "What's the word... oh right..."

Don't panic when your mind goes blank. A natural "Hmm, let me think..." sounds far more confident than an awkward silence followed by a rushed answer.

Changing the Topic

• "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something..."
• "Speaking of which..."
• "By the way..."
• "Oh, that reminds me..."
• "So, on a different note..."

Anyway is particularly useful for gracefully exiting a topic that's run its course — or steering away from an awkward moment.

Expressing Surprise or Interest

These common words and phrases show your conversation partner you're engaged (linguists call this "backchanneling"):

• "Really?"
• "No way!"
• "Seriously?"
• "Wow, that's so interesting."
• "Oh, I had no idea!"
• "Wait, what?"

Dropping even a single "Really?" or "No way!" into a conversation shows you're listening. Staying silent often gets misread as disinterest — especially in English-speaking cultures.

Softening Your Statements

English speakers frequently soften what they say to sound less blunt or more polite:

• "It's kind of expensive." (softer than "It's expensive.")
• "I sort of understand what you mean." (softer than "I don't fully understand.")
• "Maybe we could try a different approach?" (softer than "Change the approach.")
• "I think it might rain." (softer than "It will rain.")
• "I guess that works." (softer than "Fine.")

Want to expand your vocabulary for more nuanced expression? Our guide to complex English words to sound more fluent covers phrases that add depth and precision to what you say.

Robotic vs. Natural: Hear the Difference

The best way to understand why English filler words and connectors matter is to see the same conversation written two ways.

Dialogue 1: Making weekend plans

❌ Robotic (no fillers or connectors):

A: What do you want to do this weekend? B: I want to go to the beach. A: The weather will be bad. B: Then we can go to the cinema. A: That is acceptable.

✅ Natural (with common fillers and connectors):

A: So, what do you want to do this weekend? B: Hmm, I was thinking maybe we could go to the beach? A: Yeah, that sounds nice, but actually, I heard the weather's going to be kind of rough. B: Oh, really? Well, in that case, we could go see a movie or something. A: Yeah, for sure. That works for me.

Same information — completely different feel. The natural version uses so, hmm, maybe, actually, kind of, oh really, well, or something, and yeah for sure. That's nine fillers and connectors, and none of them feel forced.

Dialogue 2: Talking about a coworker

❌ Robotic:

A: Do you like the new manager? B: She is competent but strict. A: I disagree. She is kind. B: Perhaps you are correct.

✅ Natural:

A: So, what do you think of the new manager? B: I mean, she definitely knows what she's doing. She's just, you know, kind of intense sometimes. A: Hmm, I actually think she's pretty nice once you get to know her. B: Yeah, you might be right. I guess I just need more time.

The natural version flows because it mirrors how people actually speak English in daily conversations. Every filler word and connector used here earns its place.

When Fillers Help vs. When They Hurt

English filler words aren't always appropriate. Here's when to say them — and when to hold back:

Use fillers freely in:

• Casual conversations with friends
• Everyday small talk
• Practice conversations with AI tutors
• Social situations

Use fillers in moderation during:

• Job interviews (some well and actually is fine — too many ums suggest nervousness)
• Work presentations
• TOEFL or IELTS speaking tests (a few fillers show naturalness, but too many suggest hesitation)
• Formal business meetings

The golden rule: Filler words should feel invisible — like background music. If someone notices how many times you say like or um, you've probably overused them.

How to Practice Using English Filler Words Naturally

You can't learn filler words from a list. They need to become part of your speaking instinct — something you say automatically, not something you think about first.

Step 1: Listen and identify. Watch English YouTube videos, podcasts, or TV shows. Count how many filler words speakers use in 60 seconds. You'll be surprised how common they are.

Step 2: Pick 2–3 fillers to focus on each week. Don't try to use every word at once. Start with well, you know, and so — they're the most versatile and hardest to overdo.

Step 3: Practice in real voice conversations. Reading about filler words isn't the same as saying them naturally in conversation. The rhythm, timing, and intonation only develop through actual speaking. This is where daily English speaking practice makes a real difference.

With Practice Me, you can have real-time voice conversations with AI tutors who use common English filler words and connectors naturally in their speech. When you hear Sarah say "Well, that's a really interesting point" or Marcus respond with "Hmm, I'm not sure about that, actually" — you're absorbing the natural rhythm of spoken English. Over time, these patterns become part of your own speaking style.

Step 4: Record yourself and listen back. Record a 2-minute monologue about your day. Play it back and ask: does this sound like a textbook, or like a person talking? When you practice English speaking alone, gradually add fillers and connectors — you'll hear yourself transform over days and weeks.

Step 5: Expand your conversation toolkit. As filler words become natural, start layering in conversation connectors. Use agreeing phrases, topic changers, and softeners across different scenarios. Try them with various English conversation topics and build your vocabulary through real conversations by picking up new expressions from each practice session. If you're looking for more structured ways to improve your English speaking by yourself, pairing filler word practice with regular conversation sessions is one of the fastest paths to natural-sounding speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are filler words bad in English?

Not at all. English filler words are a natural, necessary part of spoken language. They serve real functions — buying time to think, softening what you say, and showing engagement with the person you're speaking to. Fillers only become a problem when you overuse one specific word (like saying like every few words) to the point where it distracts from what you're actually trying to say. Used in moderation, filler words actually make you sound more fluent.

How many filler words do native English speakers use?

Research on spoken English suggests native speakers use filler words and hesitation markers roughly 6–8 times per minute during casual conversation. In more formal settings like presentations or job interviews, the frequency drops — but fillers never disappear completely. Even professional public speakers commonly use well, so, and you know when they talk.

What's the difference between filler words and conversation connectors?

Filler words fill pauses — they give you a moment to think about what to say next (um, uh, like, well). Conversation connectors serve a specific function: they help you agree (exactly), disagree politely (I see what you mean, but...), change topics (by the way), or soften statements (kind of, I think). In natural English conversations, people use both fillers and connectors together. Think of fillers as the pauses in music and connectors as the transitions between sections.

How can I practice using filler words without overdoing it?

Focus on 2–3 filler words at a time and practice them in real voice conversations — reading exercises alone won't build the habit. AI speaking tools like Practice Me let you hear how common English filler words are used naturally by AI tutors, and you can practice incorporating them into your own speech. Record yourself regularly and listen for balance: your fillers should blend in naturally, not stand out or distract.