Dan Brecher
Counsel
212-286-0747 dbrecher@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Verbal Fillers: Are You Guilty of Um, Ah and Sort Of?
Author: Dan Brecher
Date: August 19, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Do you have a verbal “tic?” Get a tape of your last public speech, talk, oral argument or sales presentation. Are you starting your sentences with an “uh” or its common replacement “so?”
If these verbal fillers seem to find their way into your public speaking, you are not alone. Many of the talking heads featured on news programs, such as at CNN, MSNBC, FOX and Bloomberg, still populate too many sentences with words like “uh” and “um.”
The latest verbal fillers that seem to be popular are “so” and “sort of,” which initially seemed better than “uh” but still detract from the speaker’s message. “So” will inappropriately start some sentences, and “sort of” will appear mid-sentence where it imparts nothing and doesn’t belong. Don’t get me started on teenagers and “like.”
Even President Barak Obama is not immune. When he is thinking carefully while speaking impromptu, he relies on both “uh” and “ah” frequently.
Of course, people who live in “sort of” glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. If you have detected verbal fillers from your own oral presentations, removing them is often no easy task. Below are a few tips:
Pay attention: Self-awareness is a first step. Record your oral presentations to determine what verbal crutches you tend to use and under what circumstances.
Slow down: Fillers tend to crop up when our mouths have trouble keeping up with our brains. Slowing down and speaking more deliberately can help eliminate the need to use “uhs” and ahs.”
Learn to embrace silence: Not all silence is bad. It is ok to pause and gather your thoughts without inserting a verbal placeholder. In fact, a small break may actually allow the audience to more fully consider what you have said.
Practice: Think about what you are going to say before you speak. The more confidence you have in what you are saying, the less likely you will be to use verbal fillers as a crutch.
If you have any questions about this post or would like to discuss the issues involved, please contact me, Dan Brecher, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work.
- Practices: Corporate Transactions & Business
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Why Secured Transactions Are Important
Secured transactions form the backbone of a wide range of business dealings, including business loans, mortgages, and inventory financing. Because the stakes are often high and relatively minor oversights can have drastic consequences, lenders and borrowers should thoroughly understand how to form an enforceable security agreement that protects their legal rights. What Is a Secured […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Don’t Cash a “Paid in Full” Check Without Understanding the Legal Implications
Cashing a check marked “paid in full” can be a risky endeavor, particularly if you don’t fully understanding the legal implications. If you are owed more than the amount of the check you accept and deposit, you may waive your right to collect the full disputed amount. That is why you should consider either rejecting […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Changes to Qualified Small Business Stock Will Benefit Startup Founders and Investors
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) significantly impacts federal taxes, credits, and deductions. A key change relating to Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) allows greater tax-free gains for investments in startups and other qualifying small businesses. Company founders and other investors should understand how the enhanced tax strategy works or risk missing […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Corporate Consolidation and Antitrust Issues in Mergers
Corporate consolidation involves two or more businesses merging to become a single larger entity. The result is often a stronger and more competitive company that can better navigate today’s competitive marketplace. What Is Corporate Consolidation? Corporate consolidation closely resembles a basic merger transaction. The primary difference is that a consolidation creates an entirely new business […]
Author: Dan Brecher
What is Business Law and Why Is it Important?
Business law plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of running a successful enterprise, from negotiating a commercial lease to drafting employee policies to fulfilling corporate disclosure obligations. Understanding what is business law and your legal obligations can help your business run smoothly and build productive relationships with clients, business partners, regulators, and others. […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals
Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]
Author: Dan Brecher
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.