Why we use filler words like "um" and "uh"
A study found that one in every sixty words people speak is either um or uh. That means you are adding two or three of these 'fillers' per minute.
One idea on why we use fillers is that we can't immediately find the right word to say. But we could just as well stay silent. The real reason then is that going silent won't work.
87
806 reads
CURATED FROM
IDEAS CURATED BY
The idea is part of this collection:
Learn more about communication with this collection
Strategies for promoting inclusivity
How to address unconscious bias
How to create a diverse and inclusive workplace
Related collections
Similar ideas to Why we use filler words like "um" and "uh"
Why we need filler words
In a conversation, we always have to deal with who has the floor. Cooperative rules of conversation require us to use signals that regulate the flow of dialogue. If you stay silent, the other person may think you finished your turn at talking.
A filler is a signal ...
Read & Learn
20x Faster
without
deepstash
with
deepstash
with
deepstash
Personalized microlearning
—
100+ Learning Journeys
—
Access to 200,000+ ideas
—
Access to the mobile app
—
Unlimited idea saving
—
—
Unlimited history
—
—
Unlimited listening to ideas
—
—
Downloading & offline access
—
—
Supercharge your mind with one idea per day
Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.
I agree to receive email updates