Buying time without saying "umm"
What to say while you think — so a pause sounds natural.
10 minutes · A free lesson from Fluency
Everyone needs a moment to think. The difference is what you say while you think. Long silences and repeated "umm… umm…" make a listener feel you are stuck. A short phrase buys the same time and sounds natural.
Useful fillers
Before answering
- That's a good question.
- Let me think about that for a second.
- I've never really thought about it, but…
Mid-sentence
- …what's the word…
- …how can I put it…
- …you know, the kind of thing that…
When a word is missing
- I can't think of the word, but it's the thing you use to…
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: You forget the word “dishwasher”. What should you do?
- Describe it: “the machine that washes dishes”
- Stop talking
- Say “umm” until it comes back
Show the answer
A: Describe it: “the machine that washes dishes” — Describing is a real skill, and listeners hardly notice it.
Quick check: Which phrase buys time before you answer?
- “Umm… umm… umm…”
- “Next question.”
- “Let me think about that for a second.”
Show the answer
C: “Let me think about that for a second.” — A short phrase buys the same time as a silence and sounds natural.
Quick check: Which phrase helps when you are searching for a word mid-sentence?
- “Goodbye.”
- “…how can I put it…”
- “I don't know anything.”
Show the answer
B: “…how can I put it…” — …what's the word… works too.
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now