Below are the most common filler words:

• LIKE
• Um, Uh
• So
• You know
• Ok
• Just

By definition, a “filler word” is a meaningless word that marks a pause or hesitation in speech. These words diminish the message and make more it distracting for people to understand you.

“So then I was like, what are you talking about?”

“This girl who was like kind of my friend last year was like…”

“And like I don’t know how to like act or what to say…”

Yes, these are real people’s sentences. The point of this repetition is to show how badly using the word “like” sounds when it’s completely unnecessary and adds nothing to a conversation. The word “like” is dominating young people’s vocabulary, especially seen in teenage girls.

For most people, using the word “like” is out of bad habit, and you wouldn’t even realize how often you’re saying it. While it may be okay to talk to your friends and family like this (even though it doesn’t sound good), you can’t talk to future employers or coworkers in this way. If you were to ever submit an essay or a job application with the word “like” five times in one sentence, you would be laughed at. Because it’s not proper grammar! It’s not even good grammar. We don’t write like this, so why should we talk like it?

This is why it’s important to be conscious of the way you’re speaking, since it’s one of the single most defining things about you, expressing your personality.

A new app called LikeSo serves as your personal speech coach and allows you to practice speaking articulately and confidently. The founder of SayItMedia, Audrey Mann Cronin, created the app with the goal of improving communication skills by using fun and engaging technology.

I recently heard Mrs. Cronin speak and ever since hearing her presentation, I have been inspired to consciously work on the way I talk and attempt to use the word “like,” along with other filler words a whole let less. I’ve also become more conscious of listening to other people talk, and it’s almost funny how often people use the word “like.” Based on personal experience, I have found that people will respect and listen to you a lot more, if you resist using filler words.

Make it a goal to take filler words out of your vocabulary.