Can You Use Fillers in IELTS Speaking 2026? Fluency Tips & Band Score Impact

Many IELTS candidates struggle with hesitation during the Speaking test and often worry about how to sound natural while thinking of answers. Small pauses, nervousness, and searching for the right words are common, especially under exam pressure. This makes understanding speaking strategies essential for maintaining confidence and a smooth flow of ideas.

Can you use fillers in IELTS Speaking 2026? This is an important question for test-takers who want to balance natural conversation with a strong Fluency and Coherence score. Knowing which fillers are acceptable and which can harm your band score can make a big difference in how your performance is evaluated. By using the right type of fillers, you can gain thinking time, avoid awkward silences, and communicate more clearly and confidently throughout the IELTS Speaking test.

Using Fillers in IELTS Speaking

Fillers are sounds or words used during speech pauses. In IELTS 2026 Speaking, they show hesitation.

Understanding Fillers

Sounds like "umm" and "ahh" are not language. They signal a speech breakdown. Word-based fillers are part of language. They help you think without stopping your flow.

Impact on Fluency

Fluency is 25% of your IELTS Speaking score. Speaking fluently means talking with a natural flow. "Umm" or "ahh" disrupt this flow. They suggest you cannot continue. This lowers your Fluency band score. Words used to fill thinking gaps maintain fluency.

Good Fillers for IELTS Speaking

Good fillers are actual words or short phrases. They give you thinking time. They keep your sentence going. Examples: "Well, to be honest," "Let me see," "I guess," "I suppose that." These phrases show continuous language use. They prevent silence and maintain rhythm.

Example:

Q: Do you think men and women like the same kinds of holidays?

A: Well, to be honest, it isn't something I've thought about before. Let me see… I guess men and women do like different kinds of holidays.

Avoiding "Umm" and "Ahh"

"Umm" and "ahh" indicate a language search. They suggest you lack words. This negatively affects your score. The examiner judges your English language ability. These sounds show vocabulary or grammar gaps. Minimize their use for better scores.

Native Speaker Pauses

Native speakers also pause. These pauses are for thinking of ideas, not words. They are rare. They do not disrupt fluency. If your "umm" or "ahh" is from searching for language, it lowers your score. Idea-related pauses are more tolerated if infrequent.

Also Check: How to Score Band 9 in IELTS Speaking

Asking to Repeat Questions

Ask the examiner to repeat the question. This gives extra thinking time. In Part 1, repeating once or twice is fine. In Part 3, repeating or explaining once is acceptable. This strategy avoids awkward silences or non-verbal fillers.

Preparation to Reduce Fillers

To avoid "umm" and "ahh," prepare ideas for many topics. Practice builds confidence. It helps organize thoughts quickly. This reduces hesitation sounds. It lets you speak smoothly and clearly.

IELTS Speaking Questions with Answers

Key Rules of Using Fillers Effectively

Mastering filler use is crucial for IELTS Speaking success. Focus on using linguistic fillers to maintain speech flow. Avoid non-linguistic sounds that indicate hesitation. This approach strengthens your Fluency and Coherence score.

Rules for Using Fillers

• Do use: Word-based fillers like "Well," "Let me see," "To be honest," "I suppose."

• Do not use: Sounds like "umm," "ahh," or "err."

• Do ask: The examiner to repeat the question for thinking time.

• Do prepare: Ideas for common topics to avoid fillers.

• Do aim: For continuous speech, even while thinking.