Here’s a quick and easy way to learn how to stop using filler words including ‘um,’ ‘uh’ and ‘like’

Americans love using filler words such as “uh,” “uhm,” “like” and “y’know.”

A study published in Big Think found that “uh” dominates in the Deep South, New England, Minnesota and Wisconsin. “Uhm” is the preferred filler word in Ohio and Kentucky in the east to Arizona and Wyoming out west.

The West Coast is pretty much “uh” and “uhm” neutral, although the Bay area has a soft spot for “uh” and the coast from Nor Cal to Oregon particularly loves to “uhm” its way though sentences.

Regardless of what filler words you use, they can be a major communication barrier when speaking to coworkers, in client meetings, or i front of large groups.

In social situations, filler words can also weigh down your conversation skills.

Using filler words is bad for the speaker’s credibility and can make it a lot harder for an audience to pay attention. For the most part, we use filler words to make time for our thoughts to catch up to our mouths.

RELATED: Melinda Gates wants to see more women in power and she’s pledging $1 billion to make it happen

The good news is that there are some easy techniques that can help anyone to stop using filler words.

This video by Tech Insider is a great place to start.