We have all been there. You are in the middle of a high-pressure meeting, a client asks you a difficult question, and your mind goes blank. Your brain is working hard to translate from Indonesian to English, and suddenly, you find yourself saying, “Umm… uhhh… wait…”

In international business, those “umms” and “uhhs” can make you sound less confident than you actually are. But here is a secret: Native speakers use filler phrases, too. The difference is that they use “Professional Fillers” to buy time to think while still sounding fluent and in control.

If you need 5 to 10 seconds to organize your thoughts, replace your “umms” with these 5 professional phrases:

1. “That’s a great question. Let me think about that for a moment.”

This is the gold standard for high-level meetings. It shows that you are taking the speaker’s question seriously rather than just rushing to answer.

• When to use it: When a client or manager asks for your opinion on a complex issue.

• The Result: You look thoughtful and professional, not stuck.

2. “To put it simply…”

Use this when you know what you want to say, but you are struggling to find the exact “big” words. It gives you permission to use simpler, clearer English.

• When to use it: When explaining a technical process or a budget update.

• The Result: It makes you sound like a great communicator who can simplify complex ideas.

3. “How can I best describe this…”

This is a “bridge” phrase. It tells the listener that the topic is sophisticated and that you are choosing your words carefully.

• When to use it: When you are searching for a specific term or a piece of data.

• The Result: It keeps the “flow” of the conversation going so there is no awkward silence.

4. “Looking at it from another perspective…”

This is a brilliant “pivot” phrase. If you forget a specific point, you can use this to move the conversation toward a point you do remember.

• When to use it: When you want to change the focus of the discussion slightly.

• The Result: You sound like a strategic thinker who sees the “big picture.”

5. “What I mean by that is…”

If you feel like your last sentence wasn’t clear, don’t panic. Use this phrase to restate your point in a different way.

• When to use it: After you realize you might have made a small grammar mistake or used the wrong word.

• The Result: It shows high “correction” skills, which is a key sign of a fluent speaker.

The Bottom Line

Fluency isn’t about speaking perfectly; it’s about maintaining the flow. By replacing “umms” with these professional phrases, you buy your brain the time it needs to find the right English words without ever losing your “Executive Presence.”

Want to help your team speak with more authority? Stop the hesitation and start the conversation. Book a Free Trial with Simply English and see how our Speaking & Fluency modules can transform your staff’s confidence.