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The 100 most common English words

The words that make up about half of everything written in English, in order, each with a plain meaning, an example sentence and US audio, plus a 10-question quiz.

See the listHow many words do I know?
  • 100 words, in order
  • US audio for every word
  • 10 quiz questions
  • A1 level

Common words quiz

10 gaps to fill

  1. Question 1 of 10Gap

    Close ___ door, please. It’s cold in here.

Keys 1 to 4 pick an answer, Enter goes on.

The 100 most common English words, with meaning and example

In the order of the Oxford English Corpus. Forms count together: be also stands for is, are, was and were.

1–25: The very basics

#WordTypeMeaningExample
1 the article Used before a noun when we know which thing or person we mean. Close the door, please.
2 be verb To exist, or to have a quality or a position (is, are, was, were). She is a nurse, and her brothers are teachers.
3 to preposition Shows where someone or something goes; also comes before a verb (to go, to eat). I walk to school every day.
4 of preposition Shows that something belongs to, or is part of, something else. She drank a cup of tea.
5 and conjunction Joins two words or ideas. I bought bread and milk.
6 a article Used before a singular noun when it is one of many, or new to the listener (an before a vowel sound). I have a dog and an old cat.
7 in preposition Inside a place, a period of time or a thing. The keys are in my bag.
8 that determiner, pronoun Points to something further away; also joins two parts of a sentence. I think that this is a good idea.
9 have verb To own or hold something; also used to make tenses (I have seen). We have two children.
10 I pronoun The word you use for yourself when you are the subject. I am hungry.
11 it pronoun A thing, an animal or a situation already mentioned. I lost my phone, but I found it later.
12 for preposition Shows who receives something, a purpose or a length of time. This present is for you.
13 not adverb Makes a sentence negative. I am not tired.
14 on preposition Touching the top of something; also used with days and dates. Your book is on the table.
15 with preposition Together with someone or something, or using something. I went to the cinema with my sister.
16 he pronoun A man or boy already mentioned, as the subject. My dad is at work. He finishes at six.
17 as preposition, conjunction In the role of something; also used to compare (as big as). She works as a waiter on Saturdays.
18 you pronoun The person or people you are talking to. Are you ready?
19 do verb To perform an action; also used to make questions and negatives. What do you do at the weekend?
20 at preposition Shows an exact place or time. Let’s meet at the station at seven.
21 this determiner, pronoun Points to something near you or happening now. This coffee is too hot.
22 but conjunction Joins two ideas that are different or surprising together. The flat is small but very bright.
23 his determiner Belonging to a man or boy already mentioned. Tom lost his keys again.
24 by preposition Near something; also shows who does an action or how. We went to Paris by train.
25 from preposition Shows where someone or something starts or comes from. She is from Brazil.

26–50: People and actions

#WordTypeMeaningExample
26 they pronoun Two or more people or things already mentioned, as the subject. My parents live nearby. They visit every Sunday.
27 we pronoun You and one or more other people, as the subject. We are late again.
28 say verb To speak words. What did she say?
29 her pronoun, determiner A woman or girl already mentioned; also belonging to her. I called Anna and gave her the news.
30 she pronoun A woman or girl already mentioned, as the subject. My sister is a doctor. She works at night.
31 or conjunction Joins two choices. Would you like tea or coffee?
32 an article The form of a used before a vowel sound. I eat an apple every morning.
33 will modal verb Used to talk about the future or to promise something. I will call you tomorrow.
34 my determiner Belonging to me. This is my brother.
35 one number, pronoun The number 1; also a single person or thing. I have one question.
36 all determiner, pronoun Every person or thing in a group, or the whole of something. All the shops are closed on Sunday.
37 would modal verb Used for polite requests, wishes and imagined situations. Would you like a drink?
38 there adverb, pronoun In or to that place; also used in there is and there are. There is a bank near the park.
39 their determiner Belonging to them. The children are playing in their room.
40 what pronoun, determiner Used to ask about a thing or information. What time is it?
41 so adverb, conjunction Very; also used to give a result. It was raining, so we stayed at home.
42 up adverb, preposition Towards a higher place. We walked up the hill.
43 out adverb Away from the inside of a place. She went out for a walk.
44 if conjunction Used to say that one thing depends on another. If it rains, we will stay inside.
45 about preposition, adverb On a subject; also nearly or around a number. This film is about a famous singer.
46 who pronoun Used to ask which person; also joins information about a person. Who is that man?
47 get verb To receive, buy or become something; also to arrive. I get a lot of emails at work.
48 which pronoun, determiner Used to ask about a choice between things. Which bus goes to the airport?
49 go verb To move or travel to a place. We go to the gym on Mondays.
50 me pronoun The word for yourself when you are the object. Can you help me?

51–75: Everyday verbs and time

#WordTypeMeaningExample
51 when adverb, conjunction Used to ask about time; also at the time that. When does the film start?
52 make verb To create or produce something. I make breakfast for my family.
53 can modal verb Used to say that someone is able to do something, or to ask for permission. Can you swim?
54 like verb, preposition To enjoy something; also similar to. I like Italian food.
55 time noun Minutes, hours and days; also a moment when something happens. I don’t have time today.
56 no determiner, adverb Not any; also the answer that says something is not true. There is no milk in the fridge.
57 just adverb Only; also a very short time ago. I just want a glass of water.
58 him pronoun A man or boy already mentioned, as the object. I saw Tom and said hello to him.
59 know verb To have information in your mind, or to be familiar with someone. Do you know the answer?
60 take verb To carry or move something; also to use transport. I take the bus to work.
61 people noun Men, women and children; more than one person. Many people work from home now.
62 into preposition To the inside of a place or thing. She put the milk into the fridge.
63 year noun A period of twelve months. My son is ten years old.
64 your determiner Belonging to the person or people you are talking to. Is this your coat?
65 good adjective Pleasant, of high quality or done well. This is a good book.
66 some determiner, pronoun An amount or number of something, without saying exactly how much. I need some help with this.
67 could modal verb Was able to; also used for polite requests and possibilities. Could you open the window, please?
68 them pronoun Two or more people or things already mentioned, as the object. I bought new shoes and I love them.
69 see verb To notice with your eyes; also to meet someone. I can see the sea from my window.
70 other determiner, pronoun More of the same kind, or different from the one already mentioned. Some students walk and other students take the bus.
71 than conjunction, preposition Used to compare two things. My brother is taller than me.
72 then adverb Next, after that; also at that time. We had dinner and then watched a film.
73 now adverb At this moment. I’m busy now. Can I call you later?
74 look verb To turn your eyes towards something; also to seem. Look at this photo.
75 only adverb, adjective No more than; also the single one. I only have five euros.

76–100: Linking and describing

#WordTypeMeaningExample
76 come verb To move towards the speaker or a place. Come to my party on Saturday!
77 its determiner Belonging to a thing or animal already mentioned. The cat is eating its dinner.
78 over preposition, adverb Above something; also more than, or finished. There is a bridge over the river.
79 think verb To have an opinion, or to use your mind. I think it will rain later.
80 also adverb In addition; too. She speaks French and also some Spanish.
81 back adverb, noun To the place where you were before; also the rear part of something or your body. I will be back in ten minutes.
82 after preposition, conjunction Later than something. Let’s go for a walk after lunch.
83 use verb To do something with a thing for a purpose. Can I use your phone?
84 two number The number 2. I have two sisters.
85 how adverb Used to ask in what way, or how much or how many. How do you spell your name?
86 our determiner Belonging to us. Our house is near the beach.
87 work verb, noun To do a job; also the job or place where you do it. I work in a hospital.
88 first adjective, adverb Before all others in order or time. This is my first visit to London.
89 well adverb In a good way. She sings very well.
90 way noun A road or route; also a method of doing something. Is this the way to the station?
91 even adverb Used to show that something is surprising or extra. It’s cold here, even in summer.
92 new adjective Recently made, bought or started. I need a new phone.
93 want verb To wish to have or to do something. I want to learn English.
94 because conjunction Used to give a reason. I stayed at home because I was ill.
95 any determiner, pronoun Some, in questions and negatives; also it does not matter which. Do you have any questions?
96 these determiner, pronoun The plural of this: things near you. These shoes are too small.
97 give verb To let someone have something. Please give me your email address.
98 day noun A period of 24 hours, or the time when it is light. Have a nice day!
99 most determiner, adverb The largest number or amount; more than all others. Most people in my office drink coffee.
100 us pronoun You and one or more other people, as the object. Can you call us when you arrive?

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Questions about the most common English words

What is the most common word in English?

The. It comes first in large collections of written and spoken English, followed by be, to, of, and and a.

How much English do the 100 most common words cover?

In the Oxford English Corpus, a collection of over two billion words of real English, the 100 most common words make up about half of all the words used.

Should beginners learn these words first?

Yes. Most of them are grammar words such as the, of and would, which appear in almost every sentence. Learn them together with everyday topic words, such as food, home and clothes.

How many English words do I know?

Take the free vocabulary test: you mark the words you know, and it estimates the size of your vocabulary in about four minutes.

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