Using the Word "Like" in Conversation

Sometimes I catch myself speaking aloud and hear one too many "like" adverbs in my conversations. I hear it all of the time. It's, like, annoying!

Mainly, I remember growing up in the 1980s and reading plenty a Valley Girl book and hearing references of pretty, big-haired girls using the word with shameless irrelevance to what they were trying to say. The word has no real meaning.

Why is it annoying? Why is it wrong?
Well, it is not proper English. I wouldn't say it is wrong though.

The word interrupts a statement.

For example:
"I was, like, so mad at her."
"The lake is, like, 2 miles long."
"This is so, like, amazing."
"You can't believe how grateful I am that you are, like, a life-saver."

In other words, the word has a purpose as an adverb. So, it is not wrong.

The problem is that overuse of the word in public speaking creates an unpolished and somewhat unsophisticated tone. In writing, it is generally an unacceptable use of syntax and word order. It serves no purpose, because there is no need for, like, an interruption within writing. :)

This is easy enough to understand. When speaking aloud, young and old, may feel the need to pause within thoughts before speaking. Enter the need for the word "like" at times when the ideal words escape the mind.

What you want to avoid is sounding stupid. Blunt, but true.

Overusing an adverb that by definition of its use implies you do not know what to say or what you really mean is not a habit worth making. If you need to interrupt all of your vocal thoughts with the word "like," you may have developed a bad routine, easy to break.

First, slow down your speaking pace.

Second, focus on phrasing your speaking. In other words, add a natural pause to some of your talking. This way you eliminate the need to "fill in" with the word "like." It also helps you sound less mechanical.

Third, create lists of people in your life who you should not speak to using the word "like," and begin cognitively noticing if you do or do not. Slowly, you will see your usage of the word decrease naturally.

It is after all a, like, really bad habit.