Pause Fillers

Let's talk about something interesting – those funny sounds people make when they're thinking or looking for the right words. We call them "hesitation forms" or ‘pause fillers.’

Picture this: you're telling an awesome story or explaining something super cool, and suddenly you say, "Uh..." or "Um, um..." – those are like little hiccups. It's your brain taking a quick break, catching up with your awesome thoughts!

You might also hear people say things like, "Well, um, that is..." – that's a way of stalling, hitting pause to plan out their next words. It's like figuring out your next move in a video game.

And what's the deal with "Ahem!"? That's like a fancy throat-clearing move. It's a way of giving their voice a little cough, getting ready for the next big idea.

Now, you've heard the phrase "y'know," right? It's one of those common hesitation forms. Unlike saying "you understand" or "do you get it," it's more like a filler phrase. It's just filling a tiny pause in speech, kind of like how "like" is used as a filler word nowadays.

These hesitation forms are like your brain having a quick chat with itself, making sure it picks the absolute best words for your stories and talks. They're like little helpers to keep the conversation flowing smoothly. But, here's a thought: why do we even need these filler phrases? What makes people fill a moment of silence with any sound at all? Something to think about!

And if you want to become an excellent speaker, practice is key! Public speaking requires thinking fast on your feet. So, to avoid using too many "ums" and "you knows," practice expressing yourself fluently and clearly. It might take some time, but you'll get the hang of it!