Hello everyone, this is Alisson, and welcome to another episode of Dicas de Inglês podcast. Today, we're going to talk about a topic that is essential for anyone learning English, and that is the use of the word "like" as a filler word.
So, let's start with the basics. Filler words are words or sounds that we use in our speech to give us time to think or to keep the conversation flowing smoothly. They are often used unconsciously and can vary depending on the language and culture.
In English, "like" is one of the most common filler words. It is often used by native speakers in everyday conversations, and it can be a great tool for non-native speakers to sound more natural when speaking.
You might have heard people say things like "um" or "ah" when they're thinking or trying to articulate their thoughts. Well, "like" is a very common filler word in English, especially in American English.
So, how can you use "like" as a filler word? Let's take a look at some examples.
Example 1: "So, like, I was walking down the street, and like, I saw this really cute dog, and like, I couldn't help but stop and pet it."
In this example, "like" is used to give the speaker time to think about what they are going to say next. It also adds emphasis to the speaker's words and makes their speech sound more conversational.
Example 2: "I'm, like, really excited to go to the concert tonight. It's, like, my favorite band and I've been, like, waiting for this for months."
In this example, "like" is used to express the speaker's emotions and to add emphasis to their words. It also helps to create a more casual and conversational tone.
In Portuguese the equivalent is “tipo”. So, let’s say you were thinking about something and you say, “tipo, tipo”. So, this word in English is “like”.
Well, that's it for today's episode of Dicas de Inglês Podcast. I hope you found this tip helpful, and don't forget to practice using "like" as a filler word in your own conversations. Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next time!