erm

Erm is an interjective filler used primarily in British English to signal hesitation, thinking, or a pause while the speaker plans what to say next. It is commonly represented in transcripts and informal writing as “erm.” While it is related to other hesitation fillers such as “um” or “uh,” erm is more typical of British speech and some Commonwealth varieties.

Function and usage

Erm functions as a discourse marker that buys time, signals uncertainty, hedges a statement, or softens a directive. It can occur at the beginning of a turn, during repairs, or within a sentence. In conversation analysis, fillers like erm are examined for their role in turn-taking, signaling politeness, and managing the flow of dialogue without relinquishing the floor.

Phonology and variation

Erm is typically pronounced with a mid-central vowel followed by an m sound, approximating an IPA representation around /ɜːm/ in many British accents, with regional variations. It may be lengthened or emphasized when speakers are unsure or when they are thinking aloud.

Register and written use

In everyday speech, erm is common and unremarkable. In formal writing, it is rarely appropriate, though it may be used in transcriptions of spoken language to convey natural speech patterns. Writers may also use erm deliberately in dialogue to reflect a character’s hesitancy or personality.

Related terms

Erm is one of several hesitation forms, including “er” and “um,” whose usage varies by region, social context, and individual speaking style. When capitalized as ERM, the term often refers to unrelated concepts in fields such as business or science, but that usage is distinct from the interjection.