How to Write Grunts, Groans, Ums, Ahs and Ers in Your Novel

When writing dialogue, it’s tempting to focus solely on the words your characters say – but sometimes, what’s not said (the grunts, groans, ums, ahs and ers in your novel) can communicate just as much as the actual dialogue. These small, seemingly insignificant sounds, called vocal tics or filler words, bring authenticity to your characters and help readers feel immersed in your story.

Why Use Grunts, Groans, and Verbal Tics in Dialogue?

Listen to the conversations going on around you. How often do you hear a completely smooth conversation without a single hesitation or filler word? Real speech is messy. Including grunts, groans, and verbal fillers in your dialogue can:

• Add authenticity: Realistic speech makes characters relatable.
• Reveal emotions: A sigh can convey sadness, frustration, or relief without needing a long description.
• Show hesitation or discomfort: An ‘uh’ or ‘um’ can reveal a character’s uncertainty or nervousness.
• Break the monotony of perfect speech: Perfectly polished dialogue can feel artificial, especially in informal settings.

The Fine Line Between Realism and Overkill

By including grunts, groans, ums, ahs and ers, you will add depth to your characters and create dialogue that’s more natural and engaging. However, it’s crucial not to overdo it. Excessive grunts and fillers can frustrate readers and bog down your story. As with so many things, balance is key.

Do:

• Use verbal tics sparingly to emphasise important moments.
• Match the tone and personality of the character.
• Vary your approach across different characters.

Don’t:

• Overload dialogue with sounds to the point where it becomes unreadable.
• Use the same filler repeatedly for multiple characters.
• Let fillers overshadow the actual dialogue.

How to Write Grunts and Groans in Dialogue

Grunts and groans are fantastic tools for expressing emotion, but be careful to use them consciously.

1. Match the Sound to the Emotion

Each sound has its own emotional resonance:

• Grunts: Indicate frustration, effort, annoyance or disgust.
  • Example: He heaved the heavy crate into the truck. ‘Ugh,’ he muttered, smelling his armpits.
• Groans: Suggest pain, reluctance, or exasperation.
  • Example: She groaned. ‘Do we have to?’ she asked, dragging her feet. (Note that in this example, ‘groaned’ is not a dialogue tag. Do you think it’s possible to groan a whole sentence?)
• Sighs: Convey relief, sadness, or resignation.
  • Example: She exhaled a long sigh. ‘I guess you’re right.’

2. Describe the Sound

If a simple ‘ugh’ or ‘pffft’ doesn’t seem to provide enough detail or you’re worried your readers might miss the nuance, you can always use verbs like ‘she huffed’ or ‘they grunted’ to give readers context.

• Example: He let out a low, guttural grunt, the kind that said ‘I’m too tired for this.’

3. Use Onomatopoeia (But Wisely)

Onomatopoeia – words that imitate sounds – can add flair to your writing. Stick to common spellings and avoid getting too creative with sound effects.

• Good: Hmm. Ugh. Huh?
• Overkill: Hnnnnnngh. Grraaaargh. Ploooop.

Also remember that if you want to elongate a sound, make sure you stretch the right part of the word. So argh becomes aaaaaargh, and not arghhhh.

4. Tailor Sounds to Each Character

Just as people have unique voices, they also have unique verbal habits. Your stoic, no-nonsense detective might grunt to express annoyance, while your chatty teen might lean on ‘umm’ when stalling for time.

• Example:
  • Detective: ‘Hmph. Not much of a lead, is it?’
  • Teenager: ‘Um, I mean, like, I guess?’

Writing Ums and Ers: Filling the Gaps

Verbal fillers like ‘um’ and ‘er’ are excellent for showing hesitation or thought processes. However, these need to be handled carefully or they can really, like, become, er, irritating.

1. Keep It Natural

Think about how people use fillers in real life. They usually indicate:

• Searching for the right word.
• Stalling for time.
• Feeling nervous or unsure.
• Example: ‘I, um, think we should go this way?’

2. Limit Their Use

While fillers can make dialogue realistic, too many can frustrate readers. Use them sparingly and purposefully.

• Overdone: ‘So, um, I was, uh, like, thinking, er, maybe we could, um, you know, go?’
• Balanced: ‘So, um, I was thinking maybe we could go?’
• You can also use ellipses to good effect: ‘So… I was thinking maybe we could go?’

3. Vary the Placement

Don’t always stick fillers at the beginning of a sentence. Mix things up for realism.

• Example:
  • ‘Um, I think we should wait.’
  • ‘I think we should, um, wait.’

Using Body Language Alongside Sounds

Grunts, groans, and verbal fillers often go hand-in-hand with body language. Pairing them creates a richer, more vivid scene.

• Example:
  • Sound only: He sighed. ‘Fine, I’ll do it.’
  • Sound + body language: He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ‘Fine, I’ll do it.’

You can see how adding body language makes the moment feel more alive and grounded.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

When writing grunts, groans and fillers, keep these tips in mind to avoid common missteps:

1. Don’t Overuse Sounds for One Character

If every line of dialogue includes an ‘uh’ or ‘ugh’, it will quickly become annoying. Diversify your character’s speech patterns.

2. Avoid Confusing Spelling

Stick to commonly understood spellings for sounds. Overly creative spellings can confuse readers and pull them out of the story.

• Example:
  • Simple: Pfft
  • Confusing: Pffffffffffthhhhhhhht

3. Balance Realism with Readability

While real-life speech is full of fillers and sounds, when writing a novel you need to make sure that every word counts. Aim for a balance that feels natural but doesn’t overwhelm (or annoy!) the reader.

In Conclusion: Making Your Dialogue Sing (and Groan!)

Grunts, groans, ums, and ers might seem like minor details, but they play a big role in creating realistic, engaging dialogue. When used thoughtfully, these sounds can highlight a character’s emotions, show hesitation or thought processes and add authenticity and texture to your story.

Remember, though, that balance is key – a little goes a long way. If you’d like to chat about having your novel edited, please do contact me. I’m always happy to answer questions.