FILLER WORDS: THE "JUNK FOOD" OF COMMUNICATIONS - The Grammar-Us Blog - Grammar-Us

Limited ingredients.
No additives or fillers.

The phrases above typically are associated with food industry marketing. It occurs to me that perhaps these descriptions of the “ideal” for what we put into our mouths might also apply to what comes out of them, also!

Every generation has its “buzz words” that creep into daily speech and can gum up the works when it comes to trying to decipher what a person is saying.  Few of these trends survive more than a few years before they are replaced with others.   No wonder members of the younger generation inevitably feel “misunderstood” by their elders! Even we “oldsters” add words to our communications that, if not incorrect, are at least unnecessary. I call them “filler words,” because at best, they do not add any real value to the communication and at worst, they are downright incorrect. Following are some of the most frequently used filler words.

Basically: The definition of “basically” is summarizing the most important aspects of a more complex situation; fundamentally. There is nothing inherently wrong with using “basically” to alert your listener that you are boiling down many aspects of something to the most essential element(s). The problem occurs when the word is overused, which is often the case.

The effect of overusing “basically” can be to alienate your listener. She may, subconsciously or otherwise, actually feel insulted! If you are constantly reminding me that you have boiled down a situation to its most basic element(s), I am eventually going to surmise that you don’t think I am smart enough to sort through it myself – that I’m only capable of the most rudimentary thought! Why take the risk? Limit your use of “basically,” and avoid insulting your listener’s intelligence.

Actually: The definition of “actually” is the truth or facts of a situation; really; also used to emphasize that something done or said is surprising. "Actually” has its place in communications, but it is overused. You don’t have to continually remind me that what you are saying is true. I believe you (at least until you prove such belief to be unwarranted)!

Liberally peppering your communication with “actually” can render it ineffective. What comes to my mind when I hear it bandied about is, “He doth protest too much.” In other words, I suspect that the speaker is trying to put one over on me. If you have to continually remind your listener of the truth of your statements, perhaps you should reexamine what you are saying! Similarly, if you imply that everything you say is surprising by using “actually” in this context, your listener just might think you are the most naïve person on the planet. Therefore, my recommendation is to use the word sparingly. Your credibility will be much stronger as a result.

Literally: the definition of “literally” is in a literal or strict sense, as opposed to not literal or exaggerated; opposite of figuratively. The misuse of this word irritates me more than all the other filler words combined!

Consider these example sentences:
The toy was so popular, it literally flew off the shelves!
The joke was so funny, we literally died laughing.

In the first sentence, unless the toy was a drone or other aircraft, it did not fly off the shelf on its own accord. Therefore, the word “literally” is incorrect, because the sentence is an exaggeration, not strictly true. In the second sentence, if the speaker was truly dead, he or she could not utter the statement in the first place! Therefore, it is a figurative statement, not a literal one, and the word “literally” is misused.

So: As an adverb, “so” is a measure of the extent of something. (Her scarf was so long that it touched the floor.) As a conjunction, it means “therefore” or “in order that.” (The line was too long, so we decided not to wait.) Nowadays, however, “so” appears to be the word of choice with which to begin sentences, and its use in this manner is patently incorrect, not to mention irritating in the extreme!

Unless your intent is commensurate with the above definitions, please leave the “so” off the beginning of your sentence. It adds no value to your statement; it’s a “filler” that should be jettisoned.

Now: On-air news reporters seem to be the most likely “offenders” when turning this word into a filler. For some reason, they like to preface each and every sentence with “now”! Here’s a news flash: If I am watching a newscast with a reporter standing before the camera and the word “live” appearing in the upper corner of the screen, I’m fairly certain that I’m going to understand that whatever is being reported is happening NOW! So, please, reporters, stop saying it!

And: Occurring most frequently in speech, rather than in writing, beginning every sentence with “and” has the effect of rendering the entire soliloquy one enormous run-on sentence.  If you’re still talking after the first sentence, I am fully capable of understanding that subsequent sentences are in addition to the first. You do not have to preface them with “and,” and I will be most grateful if you refrain from doing so!

You know… and You feel me: As to the first of these “filler phrases,” if I am listening, chances are that I do not know, which explains why I’m listening in the first place. Conversely, if I do, indeed, know whatever it is that is being communicated, I probably do not need to hear it reiterated.  Therefore, “you know” is a useless filler phrase that is best omitted.  The second “filler phrase” above makes no sense to me at all! From a literal standpoint, I am not the “touchy-feely” type! Of course, I assume that it is meant figuratively, as a substitute for “you know.” As such, it would be another useless filler that can be – and should be – avoided.

Much like making healthier food choices by eliminating the “additives and fillers” and limiting your “ingredients,” abstaining from the “filler” words and phrases in your speech may take a bit of time and practice. However, I can assure you that doing so will be worth the effort, and you’ll emerge with a much leaner and more effective communication.