I’ve noticed a growing use of “right?” as a filler in conversations. People pepper their dialogues with “right?” and while it is less prevalent than “um” or “huh” it still serves as a verbal tic.
Beyond that, “right?” almost begs for agreement instead of inviting further dialogue. It serves as a rhetorical question as if the speaker expects agreement, rather than a true inquiry that welcomes debate. In fact, it may make it harder to disagree as the speaker almost assumes alignment, saying “right” as a substitute for “of course.”
Maybe the use of the term is intentional — as a way to foster agreement — but maybe not. Pay attention to the words you use, even the filler ones, and consider whether what you use in conversation is the “right” message you’re trying to convey. Makes sense, right?
