EasyWordCounter

Filler Words: Find and Remove Them

Paste your writing to highlight filler words such as “really”, “basically” and “kind of”, then remove the safe ones in one click. Below is a list of common filler words and what to use instead.

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What to highlight

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Only cuts fillers that never change the meaning. Hedges like “just” and “I think” are left for you to judge.

Your text appears here with the issues highlighted.

This is a style checker: it flags patterns that often make writing harder to read. It is not a full grammar or punctuation checker, and every rule has exceptions.

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How it works

The checker looks for 31 common filler words and phrases, matching whole words only, so “really” is flagged but “reality” is not. Each one is highlighted with a note on why it weakens the sentence and what to do instead.

“Remove filler words” deletes only the 14 fillers that can always go without changing the meaning, and tidies the commas, spaces and capital letters around them. The other 17 are hedges that sometimes matter, so they stay highlighted for you to decide. The other style checks, such as passive voice and long sentences, are one tap away in the list of kinds above the text.

Examples

BeforeAfter “Remove filler words”
Basically, the plan is actually very simple. You know, it just works.The plan is simple. It just works.
Honestly, I think the essay is really very good, but the ending is kind of weak.I think the essay is good, but the ending is kind of weak.

In both, the hedges “just”, “I think” and “kind of” are left in place. Read the sentence again and decide: “the ending is weak” is more confident, but only you know whether you meant to soften it.

Common filler words and what to use instead

Safe to cut

FillerWhy it weakens writingInstead
veryProps up a weak word instead of choosing a strong one.a stronger word: “very tired” → “exhausted”
reallyAn intensifier that rarely intensifies anything.Cut it
actuallyImplies the reader expected otherwise, which is seldom true.Cut it
basicallyPromises a simplification and then does not give one.Cut it
literallyUsually used figuratively, which is the opposite of its meaning.Cut it
totallyCasual emphasis that reads as padding in formal writing.Cut it
definitelyIf the claim is true, it does not need the reassurance.Cut it
certainlyLike “definitely”, it adds insistence rather than evidence.Cut it
honestlySuggests the rest of the text is less than honest.Cut it
seriouslySpoken emphasis that falls flat on the page.Cut it
trulyEmphasis the sentence can manage without.Cut it
absolutelyOverstates; let the point stand on its own.Cut it
utterlyAn intensifier that usually signals a weak adjective.Cut it
you knowA spoken tic with no meaning in writing.cut it

Check before cutting

FillerWhy it weakens writingInstead
justOften a softener; keep it when it means “only” or “recently”.Cut it, unless it means “only” or “a moment ago”
quiteVague: in British English it can mean “fairly” or “completely”.Cut it, or say how much
ratherA hedge that softens a claim; keep it in “rather than”.Cut it, or say how much
somewhatA hedge. If the amount matters, give it.Cut it, or be specific
simplyCan sound dismissive (“simply click here”); keep it when it means “in a simple way”.Cut it
kind ofA spoken hedge; fine in “what kind of tree”.Cut it, unless it means “type of”
sort ofA spoken hedge; fine in “this sort of problem”.Cut it, unless it means “type of”
a bitSoftens a claim without saying how much.Cut it, or say how much
a little bitTwo softeners in a row.Cut it, or say how much
pretty muchCasual and vague; “almost” says the same thing precisely.“almost” or “mostly”
I thinkIn an essay the reader knows the views are yours.Cut it, unless the opinion is the point
I feelPresents an argument as a feeling, which weakens it.Cut it, or “I think”
I believeA hedge that makes a claim sound less certain.Cut it, unless the belief is the point
in my opinionUsually redundant: everything you write is your opinion.Cut it
I meanA spoken restart; write the clearer version instead.Cut it
obviouslyIf it is obvious, the reader knows; if not, it talks down to them.Cut it
anywaySignals a change of subject that a new paragraph does better.Cut it

Frequently asked questions

What are filler words?
Words and phrases that make a sentence longer without changing what it says, such as “really”, “basically”, “actually” and “kind of”. In speech they buy thinking time; in writing they only slow the reader down and make claims sound less certain.
Which filler words does “Remove filler words” delete?
Only the ones that never change the meaning when cut, such as “really”, “very”, “basically”, “actually” and “literally”. Words like “just”, “quite” and “kind of” are highlighted but left alone, because they sometimes matter: “she just arrived” and “what kind of tree” need them. Your original text is kept, so you can compare.
Is it wrong to use filler words?
No. They are normal in speech, in casual messages and in dialogue, where they make people sound like people. In essays, reports, cover letters and anything with a word limit, cutting them makes your writing sound more confident and gives you words back.
How do I stop using filler words?
Write the first draft freely, then search for your own habits. Most writers lean on two or three favourites. Paste your draft here, see which fillers come up most, and cut or replace them on the second pass.

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