I’m plagued by the word ‘like.’
This is the same sentence, but instead, how I would word it in speech: “I’m, like, plagued, like, by the word ‘like.’” The worst part is that I’m not exaggerating. I use the word ‘like’ excessively, and every time I use it, I curse myself for not stopping myself.
Why do I use ‘like’ so much?
‘Like’ allows me to compensate for my lack of creating a complete thought before I speak—‘like’ lets me catch up with myself. I finish my next phrase in my mind right as I race to put my previous jumble of thoughts into one coherent sentence. But instead of taking the time to construct a more complete idea, I race through my sentences, letting ‘like’ fill up the gaps.
Sometimes, ‘like’ can also bring a casual factor to conversations. It has become part of my vocabulary for day-to-day conversations with friends. It’s difficult to explain, but I’m sure today’s students get this—‘like’ accentuates a more casual vibe that our generation strives for in conversation.
In a perfect world, ‘like’ would be used only as a linking phrase that compares two ideas, and not as a sentence filler. Depending on the occasion, it’s important to be formal or casual, and since ‘like’ can also be utilized in a casual manner to great effect, the usage of the word ‘like’ should be adjusted accordingly.
A fresh perspective on the word ‘like’ concerns pace. In a time of instantaneous communication and widely available information, the world is becoming faster, day by day. Our usage of the word ‘like’ demonstrates that. ‘Like’ allows us to engage in a conversation at a faster speed. It’s like trying to play a piece of music faster than you’ve ever done before. You race through the piece, with technical errors littered throughout. In our conversations, the word ‘like’ is the technical errors. As a result, we get through our conversations faster, but we lose out on a more eloquent and refined form of speech.
Of the countless slogans I was fed in elementary school, perhaps the most ubiquitous was, “Think before you speak.” Now, as I reflect upon my usage of ‘like,’ that mantra takes on a different meaning. Spending the time to structure a well-phrased sentence before you speak eradicates the usage of the word ‘like.’ Without ‘like’ as filler, the sentence breathes free.
‘Like’ is unique—it is being repurposed as a modern filler word from its original use as a tool to compare. Reinvigorated by this change, ‘like’ is a multipurpose word that is best used in moderation, and is one that we should consider more for the large role it fulfills in our lives.