2.2c LEARN Vocabulary from HBR How to Stop Saying Um Ah

verbalize

verb
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Terms in this set (33)
verbalize

verb
to express ideas, opinions, or emotions in words.

1. Studies suggest that we verbalize hesitations because we've been conditioned to fill the void even when we don't have something to say.
hesitation

noun
the act of pausing before doing something, especially because you are nervous or not certain.

1. Studies suggest that we verbalize hesitations because we've been conditioned to fill the void even when we don't have something to say.
(to) be conditioned to do (something)

phrasal verb
to learn over time or been taught to anticipate something

1. So why isn't our speech fluent? Studies suggest that we verbalize hesitations because we've been conditioned to fill the void even when we don't have something to say
to fill a/the void

idiom
to provide or replace something that's needed

1. Studies suggest that we verbalize hesitations because we've been conditioned to fill the void even when we don't have something to say.
conversational floor

phrase
a term used to describe the situation when one person is talking in a group of people, without being interrupted

1. For example, we use "um" and "ah" to hold onto the "conversational floor" as we are planning what we are going to say next, with "ah" signaling a short delay and "um" signaling a longer delay.
(to) signal

verb
to show that something is going to happen or that you are going to do something.

1. For example, we use "um" and "ah" to hold onto the "conversational floor" as we are planning what we are going to say next, with "ah" signaling a short delay and "um" signaling a longer delay.
embrace

verb
to accept something with great interest or enthusiasm.

1. To Eliminate Crutch Words, Embrace the Pause
2. Pauses aren't easy to embrace.
pause

noun
a moment in which something, such as a sound or an activity, stops before starting again.

1. The good news is that you can turn this weakness into a strength by replacing fillers with pauses.
2. Research suggests that most conversational speech consists of short (0.20 seconds), medium (0.60 seconds), and long (over 1 second) pauses.
3. Great public speakers often pause for two to three seconds or even longer.
4. Our phonetic data shows that the average speaker only uses 3.5 pauses per minute, and that's not enough.
5. Pauses aren't easy to embrace.
6. For many speakers, even the briefest pause can feel like an interminable silence.
phonetic

adj
relating to the sounds made in speaking.

1. Our phonetic data shows that the average speaker only uses 3.5 pauses per minute, and that's not enough.
briefest

adj
lasting only a short time or containing few words.

1. For many speakers, even the briefest pause can feel like an interminable silence
interminable adjcontinuing for too long and seeming never to end. 1. For many speakers, even the briefest pause can feel like an interminable silence.(to) tend to do (something) phrasal verbto be likely to behave in a particular way or have a particular characteristic. 1. That's because we tend to think faster than we speak.discrepancy nouna difference between two figures, results, etc. that are expected to be the same. 1. Because of this discrepancy, when you're giving a speech, your perception of time is often distorted, and what feels like an eternity in your mind is actually a few short seconds for the audience.perception nounthe way that someone thinks and feels about a company, product, service, etc. 1. Because of this discrepancy, when you're giving a speech, your perception of time is often distorted, and what feels like an eternity in your mind is actually a few short seconds for the audience.distorted adjfalse or wrong. 1. Because of this discrepancy, when you're giving a speech, your perception of time is often distorted, and what feels like an eternity in your mind is actually a few short seconds for the audience.feel like (something) phrasal verbto seem to be something, or to seem likely to do something 1. Because of this discrepancy, when you're giving a speech, your perception of time is often distorted, and what feels like an eternity in your mind is actually a few short seconds for the audience.eternity nountime that never ends or that has no limits 1. Because of this discrepancy, when you're giving a speech, your perception of time is often distorted, and what feels like an eternity in your mind is actually a few short seconds for the audience.despite prepositionwithout being influenced or prevented by. 1. Despite how they may feel at first, well-placed pauses make you sound calm and collected, and they help three ways:well-placed adjin a good situation to be able to do something. 1. Despite how they may feel at first, well-placed pauses make you sound calm and collected, and they help three ways:calm and collected idiomWhen someone is relaxed, confident and in control of the situation. 1. Despite how they may feel at first, well-placed pauses make you sound calm and collected, and they help three ways. 2. The CEO was calm and collected during the long six-hour meeting. 3. . It was important to remain calm and collected during the difficult negotiations with the other party.collected adjshowing control over your feelings. 1. Despite how they may feel at first, well-placed pauses make you sound calm and collected, and they help three ways: 2. Collect your thoughts: If you lose your train of thought, a pause gives you time to get back on tracktrain of thought idiomthe way in which someone reaches a conclusion; a line of reasoning 1. If you lose your train of thought, a pause gives you time to get back on track.to get back on track idiomto return to the right path, or the right direction 1. Collect your thoughts: If you lose your train of thought, a pause gives you time to get back on track.(someone) won't hold (something) against (someone) phrasal verbto like someone less because they have done something wrong or behaved badly in the past 1. As long as the pause isn't too long (no more than five seconds), the audience won't hold it against you.(to) calm (someone's) nerves phrasal verbto make someone, or yourself, peaceful, quiet and without worry 1. Calm your nerves: Taking a pause before starting a speech is especially important for people with a fear of public speaking, as it helps calm nervescalm adjto lessen someone's anxiety or make them more peaceful, quiet, or relaxed. 1. Despite how they may feel at first, well-placed pauses make you sound calm and collected, and they help three ways: Taking a pause before starting a speech is especially important for people with a fear of public speaking, as it helps calm nerves.nerve nounworry or anxiety. 1. Calm your nerves: Taking a pause before starting a speech is especially important for people with a fear of public speaking, as it helps calm nerves. 2. Nerves are one of the biggest reasons people overuse vocal fillers.flustered adjupset and confused 1. If you find yourself getting flustered, pause briefly to take a deep breath (as long as it's not audible or obvious) and reset.briefly adverbfor a short time or using few words. 1. If you find yourself getting flustered, pause briefly to take a deep breath (as long as it's not audible or obvious) and reset.(to) take a deep breath phrasal verbto pause and inhale 1. If you find yourself getting flustered, pause briefly to take a deep breath (as long as it's not audible or obvious) and reset.audible adjable to be heard. 1. If you find yourself getting flustered, pause briefly to take a deep breath (as long as it's not audible or obvious) and reset.obvious adjeasily seen, recognized, or understood. 1. If you find yourself getting flustered, pause briefly to take a deep breath (as long as it's not audible or obvious) and reset.reset verbto change the details of something. 1. If you find yourself getting flustered, pause briefly to take a deep breath (as long as it's not audible or obvious) and reset.