Here is a scenario every IELTS candidate dreads: the examiner asks a question, your mind goes blank, and all that comes out is "Umm... uhh... I think... umm..." Three seconds of silence feel like thirty, and you can practically feel your fluency score dropping. But here is what most candidates do not realise: the problem is not that you need thinking time — it is that you are filling that time with the wrong sounds.
#Why "Um" and "Uh" Cost You Marks
Let us be clear about what the examiner is assessing. The Fluency and Coherence criterion at Band 7 requires you to "speak at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence." Frequent "um" and "uh" sounds signal processing difficulty — they tell the examiner that you are struggling to find words or construct sentences.
But here is the important distinction: natural hesitation markers that native speakers use are not penalised in the same way. The difference is between sounds that signal struggle and phrases that signal thought.
Penalised: "Um... uh... I think... um... education is... uh... important."
Not penalised: "That's an interesting question. I suppose education plays a significant role in..."
Both speakers took the same amount of time to begin their answer. But the second speaker sounds fluent and thoughtful, whilst the first sounds uncertain.
#8 Filler Phrases That Buy You Thinking Time
#1. "That's an interesting question."
Use this when you genuinely need a moment to gather your thoughts. It works for any Part 3 question and sounds natural. Do not overuse it — once or twice during the test is fine.
#2. "I suppose..."
This is wonderfully versatile. It introduces a tentative opinion and sounds natural in almost any context.
"I suppose the main advantage would be... the flexibility it offers."
#3. "What I mean is..."
Use this to clarify or rephrase something you have just said. It is perfect for when you start a sentence and realise it is going in the wrong direction.
"Technology has changed everything — what I mean is, it's fundamentally altered how we communicate and work."
#4. "To be honest..."
This signals that you are about to give a genuine personal opinion. It adds personality to your response.
"To be honest, I haven't really thought about this before, but I'd say..."
#5. "Let me think about that for a moment."
Surprisingly, this is perfectly acceptable. Saying it openly is far better than a long "umm." It shows self-awareness and confidence.
#6. "I'd say that..." / "I would argue that..."
These are strong opinion starters that give you a second or two to formulate the rest of your sentence.
"I'd say that the most important factor is... probably education."
#7. "It's hard to say, but..."
Perfect for difficult Part 3 questions where there is no obvious answer. It acknowledges the complexity of the question before you answer it.
"It's hard to say, but I think on balance the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
#8. "If I had to choose, I'd probably go with..."
Ideal for questions that ask you to pick between options. It buys time whilst sounding decisive.
"If I had to choose, I'd probably go with traditional education, mainly because..."
#How to Use Fillers Without Sounding Scripted
The key is variety. If you use "That's an interesting question" after every question, the examiner will notice. Rotate through these phrases naturally. In a 14-minute speaking test, you might use 4-5 different fillers — that is plenty.
Also, these phrases should flow into your answer, not stand alone. Compare:
Awkward: "That's an interesting question. [long pause] I think... education is important."
Natural: "That's an interesting question — I suppose for me, the most important thing about education is the way it teaches you to think critically."
The filler should be a bridge to your answer, not a wall before it.
#Practice Exercises
#Exercise 1: The 10-Second Rule
Ask a friend (or use a recording app) to read you random IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions. For each question, you must begin speaking within 3 seconds, using one of the 8 filler phrases. Then continue speaking for at least 30 seconds. Repeat with 10 different questions.
#Exercise 2: The Filler Rotation
Write the 8 filler phrases on separate cards. Shuffle them. Answer 8 questions, using the filler phrase on the top card each time. This forces you to practise all of them, not just your favourite two.
#Exercise 3: Record and Review
Record yourself answering 5 Part 3 questions. Play it back and count every "um," "uh," and awkward pause. Then answer the same 5 questions again, consciously replacing each hesitation with a filler phrase. Compare the two recordings — the difference is usually dramatic.
#Exercise 4: Shadowing with Fillers
Listen to English-language interviews or podcasts (BBC Radio 4 is excellent for this). Notice how native speakers naturally use phrases like "well," "I suppose," "the thing is," and "what I'd say is." Try to mimic not just the words but the rhythm and intonation.
#Beyond Fillers: Building True Fluency
Filler phrases are a short-term strategy — they buy you time whilst your fluency improves. For long-term fluency gains:
- Think in English daily. Narrate your actions, plan your day, and have internal debates in English.
- Practise speaking without preparation. The more you practise responding to unexpected questions, the less thinking time you need.
- Expand your vocabulary on common topics. The main reason for hesitation is searching for the right word. If you have practised talking about education, technology, health, and environment, you will have the vocabulary ready when you need it.
The goal is not to eliminate all pauses — even native speakers pause. The goal is to make your pauses sound thoughtful rather than stuck.
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