January 14, 2026

Back to Home View All Blogs David Chima January 14, 2026 3 min read Why You Say “Um” More Than You Think Most people don’t notice how often they say “um”, until someone points it out. Filler words like um, uh, like, and you know sneak into our speech when our brain is working faster than our mouth. They’re not a sign of low intelligence or poor vocabulary. They’re a sign that you’re thinking in real time. Why Filler Words Happen   When you speak, your brain is constantly doing three things at once: Choosing what to say next Structuring the sentence Delivering it out loud When those processes fall slightly out of sync, filler words fill the gap. They buy your brain time. The problem isn’t that you’re thinking – it’s that you’re thinking out loud.   Why Trying To “Stop Saying Um” Doesn’t Work Most advice tells you to “be more aware” or “slow down.” That’s only half the solution. If you simply try not to say filler words, you usually end up: Pausing awkwardly Losing your train of thought Sounding less natural That’s because you haven’t replaced the filler with anything.   What To Do Instead Try this instead: Replace filler words with silenceA short pause sounds confident. A filler sounds unsure. Finish the sentence before starting itTake half a second to think, then speak. Slow your pace slightlyPeople who speak too fast use more fillers, not fewer.   The Real Fix: Practice Under Light Pressure Filler words appear most when you’re responding in real time. The best way to reduce them is to practice speaking out loud, not in your head. When you practice answering questions, reading aloud, or speaking on the spot, your brain learns to tolerate silence and fillers naturally fade. Back to Home View All Blogs