Verbal pauses, also known as 'fillers' or 'umms', are words or sounds that people use when they are speaking to fill in gaps in their speech. ERS is an acronym for 'empty-related sounds', which are a type of verbal pause. Empty-related sounds are used when a person is searching for the right word or phrase to use in a conversation. They are often used to indicate hesitation or uncertainty, and can be used to signal a change in topic or to give the speaker more time to think.