Why You Should Not Overuse Fillers in IELTS Speaking

Why You Should Not Overuse Fillers in IELTS Speaking (and What to Use Instead)

• Sumeet Kudnani

• November 4, 2025

• IELTS

The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face conversation with an examiner.

The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face conversation with an examiner. For many students, this can feel nerve-wracking. The pressure to speak fluently often leads to the frequent use of fillers—words like um, uh, you know, like, actually, basically.

Here’s the problem: while fillers are natural in everyday English, overusing them lowers your fluency score in IELTS. Examiners want smooth, confident speech, not hesitation or repeated filler phrases.

But don’t worry. In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What fillers are and why they matter in IELTS
• How examiners judge fluency and coherence
• Why too many fillers can hurt your score
• Examples of common fillers to avoid
• Powerful alternatives to use instead of fillers
• Practical strategies to reduce filler usage
• Band 7+ sample answers without fillers
• FAQs about fillers in IELTS Speaking

👉 By the end, you’ll know exactly how to sound fluent and confident without relying on fillers.

IELTS Speaking Test Overview

The Speaking test lasts 11–14 minutes and is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 (Introduction): General questions about you, hobbies, hometown.
• Part 2 (Cue Card): 1–2 minutes speaking about a given topic.
• Part 3 (Discussion): Abstract questions related to Part 2.

Examiners score you on:

1. Fluency and Coherence
2. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
4. Pronunciation

What Are Fillers?

Fillers are sounds, words, or short phrases we use to fill pauses while thinking. Examples:

• “um” / “uh”
• “you know”
• “like”
• “basically”
• “actually”
• “well…”
• “so…”

Native speakers also use fillers, but in IELTS, examiners distinguish between natural pauses and excessive hesitation.

Why Fillers Lower Your IELTS Score

• 1. They Signal Hesitation

Overusing um and you know makes you sound unsure. Examiners reduce fluency marks if your answers feel interrupted.

• 2. They Distract from Content

Instead of focusing on your ideas, examiners notice repetition of like… like… like….

• 3. They Break Coherence

Fillers disrupt sentence flow. IELTS wants connected speech, not broken phrases.

• 4. They Indicate Limited Vocabulary

If you constantly say basically or actually, examiners assume you lack a wide range of vocabulary.

💡 According to IELTS Band Descriptors:

• Band 5: Frequent hesitation, limited fluency.
• Band 6: Some hesitation, occasional fillers.
• Band 7+: Smooth, natural speech with minimal fillers.

Common Fillers to Avoid in IELTS

Here’s a list of filler words/phrases you should minimize:

• “Um / Uh”
• “You know”
• “Like”
• “Basically”
• “Actually”
• “Literally”
• “Well…”
• “So yeah…”
• “I mean”
• “Kind of / Sort of”

👉 Using them once or twice is fine. Repeating them every sentence = Band drop.

What to Use Instead of Fillers

Instead of fillers, use smart strategies that make you sound fluent and confident.

• 1. Pauses (Silent is Okay!)

A short pause is better than saying “umm.” Examiners prefer natural thinking breaks.
Example:

❌ “Umm… I like, you know, playing cricket.”
✅ “I like playing cricket. [pause] It helps me relax after studying.”

• 2. Discourse Markers (Linking Phrases)

Use connectors to organize thoughts instead of fillers.

• To start: Well, To be honest, In my opinion
• To add: Moreover, In addition, What’s more
• To contrast: However, On the other hand, But at the same time
• To conclude: Overall, In conclusion, All in all

• 3. Paraphrasing for Thinking Time

If you need time, rephrase the question.

Q: “What’s your favorite subject?”
❌ “Umm… you know… like…”
✅ “That’s an interesting question. I’d say my favorite subject is English because…”

• 4. Using Fill-in Phrases (Natural Delays)

Instead of uh, use phrases that buy time but still sound fluent:

• Let me think for a moment…
• That’s a good question…
• I’ve never thought about it before, but I guess…
• If I had to choose, I’d say…

• 5. Practice Sentence Starters

Memorize a few natural openers:

• From my perspective…
• The main reason is that…
• What I find interesting is…

These sound confident and prevent hesitation.

Examples – Fillers vs No Fillers

• Part 1 Question: “Do you like reading?”

❌ With Fillers:
“Umm… yeah, I mean, actually, you know, I like reading, like, novels sometimes.”

✅ Without Fillers:
“Yes, I enjoy reading novels. They allow me to escape reality and explore different cultures. For example, I recently read a book about Japanese traditions, and it was fascinating.”

• Part 2 Cue Card: Describe a time when you helped someone.

❌ With Fillers:
“Uhh… so yeah, I, like, helped my friend, umm… you know, with his homework. Basically, he was struggling, and I… actually, I mean, I taught him maths.”

✅ Without Fillers:
“A time I helped someone was when my friend was struggling with mathematics. He couldn’t understand algebra, so I explained the concepts step by step. I also gave him some examples from real life, like calculating discounts during shopping. In the end, he improved his grades, and I felt proud to support him.”

Band 7.5+ Sample Answer Without Fillers

• Cue Card: Describe a memorable journey you took.

“Last year, I traveled from Gujarat to Himachal Pradesh with my college friends. The journey was special because it was my first time seeing snow. We traveled by train for almost 30 hours, which was exhausting but fun since we played games and shared stories. When we reached Manali, the scenery was breathtaking—snow-covered mountains and pine trees everywhere.

What I enjoyed most was trying skiing for the first time. I was nervous, but after some practice, I managed to slide down a small slope. It was thrilling. Apart from adventure, I also appreciated the peaceful environment, which was very different from my busy city life.

Overall, the trip created unforgettable memories, and it made me realize how travel brings both adventure and relaxation.”

• Why Band 7.5+:

• Clear structure
• Natural transitions (Overall, Apart from adventure, What I enjoyed most)
• No fillers, smooth flow

How to Practice Reducing Fillers

• Record Yourself Speaking

Listen back. Count how many fillers you use. Aim to reduce each time.

• Practice Pausing

Answer questions with 2–3 second pauses instead of fillers.

• Learn Fill-in Phrases

Use “That’s a good question” instead of “uhhh.”

• Expand Vocabulary

More vocabulary = fewer fillers. Practice synonyms daily.

• Mock Speaking Tests

Practice under real exam conditions with a partner or coach.

Advanced Tips for Band 7+

• Chunk Your Speech: Group words into meaningful units. Ex: “One of my hobbies | is playing cricket | because it keeps me fit.”
• Use Intonation: Natural tone makes you sound fluent even with pauses.
• Practice Shadowing: Repeat after podcasts or YouTube IELTS trainers to reduce hesitation.
• Think in English: Don’t translate from your native language. Translation causes hesitation.

Conclusion

Overuse fillers in IELTS Speaking makes you sound hesitant, less fluent, and less confident. By replacing fillers with natural pauses, linking phrases, and paraphrasing techniques, you can sound like a confident Band 7+ speaker.

👉 At AEOC, our IELTS Coaching in Nadiad, Anand, and Vallabh Vidyanagar provides personalized speaking practice, AI-powered feedback, and Band 7+ strategies so you can perform with confidence in front of examiners.

📞 Book your free demo class today and start speaking fluently—without fillers.

Common Questions About Fillers

Can I use fillers once or twice?

Yes. Occasional fillers are natural. Overuse = problem.

Do native speakers also use fillers?

Yes, but in IELTS, fluency = smooth + minimal hesitation.

What’s worse: silence or fillers?

Silence is better. A 1–2 second pause is natural.

Can I memorize phrases?

Yes, as long as they sound natural (e.g., That’s an interesting question…).

What score drop happens due to fillers?

Heavy fillers = Band 5–6 for fluency. Controlled pauses = Band 7+.

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