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filler words

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Non-essential words inserted solely to fulfill metrical requirements, often functionally neutral but rhythmically necessary.

Detailed Definition
Filler words are seemingly superfluous or functionally minimal words—such as articles, prepositions, or discourse markers—inserted into poetic lines to fulfill metrical requirements, ease transitions, or mimic natural speech rhythms; while sometimes criticized as padding, they can also create subtle musicality, delay emphasis, or lend authenticity to a poem’s voice when used with intention.
Example
Example in poetry:
Filler words are function words that add little semantic content but aid rhythm; “And,” “the,” “of,” and “to” often serve as filler in poetic meter; In ballads, “O” and “alas” fill metrical space; In Shakespeare, “doth” and “hath” often fill iambic lines
Additional Notes
Filler words (or expletives in the non-grammatical sense) are words or phrases inserted into a line of verse mainly to complete the meter or rhyme scheme rather than to add significant meaning; while sometimes necessary for form, their excessive use can weaken the poem's diction and clarity.
Also Known As
Empty words Padding expressions Meaningless fillers Cheville
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