Do you find yourself saying “um,” “ah,” “like,” or “you know” a lot? You’re not alone—many of us use these filler words while public speaking to avoid awkward pauses. That’s where we come in! In this article, we’ll give you the best tips to stop saying “um” and other filler words to improve your public speaking skills and sound more professional.

Things You Should Know

  • Embrace 1- to 2-second pauses as you talk to avoid using filler words. Organize what you want to say logically to create natural transitions.
  • Record yourself talking and then listen. Point out every time you say “um,” “like,” or “ah.” Just paying attention to your speech can help you change it.
  • Practice what you want to say beforehand, and calm your nerves before you start speaking. You'll sound confident and professional in no time!
1

Pause instead of using filler words.

  1. Embrace the silence instead of filling it all the time. Most of us use filler words like “um,” “ah,” or “you know,” to fill pauses as we talk. Instead, try allowing yourself to just be silent for 1 to 2 seconds. Use the time to gather your thoughts and plan out what you’re going to say next.[1]
    • It can be tough to train yourself to do this, especially if you get nervous talking in front of others. Try to keep it at the forefront of your mind, and practice it over and over until it becomes second nature.
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2

Organize your information into chunks.

  1. Create a natural flow of content so you know what to say next. A lot of times, we rely on filler words as we plan out our next sentence. When you’re writing a speech or presentation, try to organize your information as logically as possible to avoid any awkward moments. That way, you’ll be much less likely to use a filler word as you talk.[2]
    • For instance, maybe you’re giving a speech on the project that you and your team completed at work. To organize things logically, you could start with the planning phase, go into the working phase, and wrap up with the publishing phase.
    • You could also tell a story of sorts. Write out a beginning, middle, and end for a logical organization tactic.
7

Record yourself talking.

  1. Listen to a recording of yourself to see how often you use filler words. You might not be able to catch yourself saying them in the moment, which is why a recording can help. Listen to yourself talk, and write down specific areas where you use filler words the most. Then, write down what you want to say during that part of the speech to avoid saying “um,” “like,” or “ah.”[7]
    • After you record and listen to yourself once, try your speech again on a second recording. Listen to yourself and spot the differences between your first and second try. Chances are, you’ll notice improvement right away!
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9

Relax your nerves.

  1. If you're calm and relaxed, you'll use fewer filler words. Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, and many people feel stressed before giving a speech or presentation. Do some deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves, and focus on the message of your speech instead of how people are perceiving you.[9]
    • While you talk, try to focus on one person in the room. Speak directly to them to avoid thinking about the crowd.
    • Make sure that you're breathing when you speak, too—that way, you can slow down your speech and be more deliberate.
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about stop saying filler words, check out our in-depth interview with Patrick Muñoz.

About This Article

Patrick Muñoz
Co-authored by:
Voice & Speech Coach
This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been viewed 4,833 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: January 17, 2023
Views: 4,833
Categories: Communication Skills
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