Filler words

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Pay attention to the following video. What do you notice?

What do you notice about this girl's speech?

Different fillers

What do you think about using these fillers? Would you use them? Why (not)?

Function of filler words

- To stall for time

- To say you're not sure of something

- To include someone in the conversation

- To explain something

- To get back to something or end a conversation

- To make your statement weaker/stronger

- To show you're paying attention

Match the words with their definitions.

to stall for time

To say you're not sure about something

To include someone in the conversation

to explain something

To get back to something or to end a conversation

To make your statement weaker or stronger

The basic idea is

let me think about that

In fact

I guess

Don't you think

Like I said

Would you now use fillers when speaking English?

Yes

No

Can you use fillers in formal language?

1. Yes
2. No

Can you use fillers in formal written language?

1. Yes
2. No

I ........ dancing

1. often go
2. go often

She ..... smokes in the morning

1. smokes never
2. never smokes

He ......in to work on time

1. hardly ever gets
2. gets hardly ever

I .... on time for football practice

1. am always
2. always am

The kids .... their homework.

1. Never can do
2. Can never do

I ..... to work every morning

1. walk usually
2. usually walk