The English language can be a vast and winding road, filled with perplexing grammar rules and an ever-expanding vocabulary. But fear not, intrepid language learner! By focusing on the most common words, you can unlock a surprising amount of understanding.
List of Common Words
the
be
to
of
and
a
in
that
have
I
it
for
not
on
with
he
as
you
do
at
this
but
his
by
from
they
we
say
her
she
or
an
will
my
one
all
would
there
their
what
so
up
out
if
about
who
get
which
go
me
when
make
can
like
time
no
just
him
know
take
people
into
year
your
good
some
could
them
see
other
than
then
now
look
only
come
its
over
think
also
back
after
use
two
how
our
work
first
well
way
even
new
want
because
any
these
give
day
most
us
is
are
am
was
were
been
had
has
does
did
should
must
might
shall
going
having
doing
being
many
such
much
more
each
few
under
again
home
life
little
old
last
long
great
same
set
right
still
too
may
call
read
man
find
here
need
much
should
start
show
end
Common Words with Meaning and Example
Here is the list with meanings and examples:
the (article)
Meaning: Used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group.
Example: The cat sat on the mat.
be (verb)
Meaning: Exist; occur; take place.
Example: I want to be a doctor.
to (preposition)
Meaning: Expressing motion in the direction of a particular location.
Example: She is going to the store.
of (preposition)
Meaning: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole.
Example: He is a friend of mine.
and (conjunction)
Meaning: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences.
Example: I like apples and oranges.
a (article)
Meaning: Used when referring to someone or something for the first time.
Example: She has a cat.
in (preposition)
Meaning: Expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed.
Example: The keys are in the drawer.
that (conjunction)
Meaning: Used to introduce a clause that is the subject or object of a verb.
Example: I heard that you got a new job.
have (verb)
Meaning: Possess, own, or hold.
Example: They have three children.
I (pronoun)
Meaning: Used by a speaker to refer to themselves.
Example: I am going to the market.
it (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example: It is raining outside.
for (preposition)
Meaning: With the object or purpose of.
Example: This gift is for you.
not (adverb)
Meaning: Used with an auxiliary verb or “be” to form the negative.
Example: I do not like spinach.
on (preposition)
Meaning: Physically in contact with and supported by a surface.
Example: The book is on the table.
with (preposition)
Meaning: Accompanied by another person or thing.
Example: I will go with you.
he (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to refer to a man, boy, or male animal previously mentioned.
Example: He is my brother.
as (conjunction)
Meaning: Used to indicate that something happens during the time when something else is taking place.
Example: She sings as she works.
you (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing.
Example: You are very kind.
do (verb)
Meaning: Perform an action, the precise nature of which is often unspecified.
Example: What do you do for a living?
at (preposition)
Meaning: Expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position.
Example: She is at home.
this (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to identify a specific person or thing close at hand or being indicated.
Example: This is my favorite book.
but (conjunction)
Meaning: Used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned.
Example: I want to go, but I have to work.
his (pronoun)
Meaning: Belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example: This is his car.
by (preposition)
Meaning: Identifying the agent performing an action.
Example: The book was written by her.
from (preposition)
Meaning: Indicating the point in space at which a journey, motion, or action starts.
Example: She is from Italy.
they (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example: They are my friends.
we (pronoun)
Meaning: Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together.
Example: We are going to the park.
say (verb)
Meaning: Utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling, or intention.
Example: What did she say?
her (pronoun)
Meaning: Used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a female person or animal previously mentioned.
Example: I saw her at the store.
she (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to refer to a woman, girl, or female animal previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example: She is a doctor.
or (conjunction)
Meaning: Used to link alternatives.
Example: Would you like tea or coffee?
an (article)
Meaning: Used when referring to someone or something for the first time.
Example: She gave me an apple.
will (verb)
Meaning: Expressing the future tense.
Example: I will call you tomorrow.
my (pronoun)
Meaning: Belonging to or associated with the speaker.
Example: This is my house.
one (number)
Meaning: The lowest cardinal number; half of two.
Example: There is one apple left.
all (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of a particular group or thing.
Example: All of the cookies are gone.
would (verb)
Meaning: Past of will, indicating the future in the past.
Example: I said I would help him.
there (adverb)
Meaning: In, at, or to that place or position.
Example: The book is over there.
their (pronoun)
Meaning: Belonging to or associated with the people or things previously mentioned.
Example: This is their house.
what (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to ask for information specifying something.
Example: What is your name?
so (conjunction)
Meaning: To such a great extent.
Example: She was so tired.
up (adverb)
Meaning: Toward a higher place or position.
Example: She climbed up the hill.
out (adverb)
Meaning: Moving or appearing to move away from a particular place, especially one that is enclosed or hidden.
Example: She went out of the room.
if (conjunction)
Meaning: Introducing a conditional clause.
Example: If it rains, we will stay indoors.
about (preposition)
Meaning: On the subject of; concerning.
Example: We talked about the movie.
who (pronoun)
Meaning: What or which person or people.
Example: Who is that man?
get (verb)
Meaning: Come to have or hold (something); receive.
Example: I will get some milk.
which (pronoun)
Meaning: Asking for information specifying one or more people or things from a definite set.
Example: Which book is yours?
go (verb)
Meaning: Move from one place to another.
Example: She will go to the store.
me (pronoun)
Meaning: Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition.
Example: Can you help me?
when (adverb)
Meaning: At what time.
Example: When will you arrive?
make (verb)
Meaning: Form (something) by putting parts together or combining substances.
Example: I will make a cake.
can (verb)
Meaning: Be able to.
Example: She can swim very well.
like (preposition)
Meaning: Having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to.
Example: He acts like his father.
time (noun)
Meaning: The indefinite continued progress of existence and events.
Example: What time is it?
no (adverb)
Meaning: Not any.
Example: There is no milk left.
just (adverb)
Meaning: Exactly.
Example: She arrived just in time.
him (pronoun)
Meaning: Used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned.
Example: I saw him at the park.
know (verb)
Meaning: Be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.
Example: Do you know the answer?
take (verb)
Meaning: Lay hold of (something) with one’s hands.
Example: Take an umbrella with you.
people (noun)
Meaning: Human beings in general or considered collectively.
Example: There were many people at the concert.
into (preposition)
Meaning: Expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else.
Example: She walked into the room.
year (noun)
Meaning: The time taken by the earth to make one revolution around the sun.
Example: She was born last year.
your (pronoun)
Meaning: Belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing.
Example: Is this your book?
good (adjective)
Meaning: To be desired or approved of.
Example: This is a good movie.
some (pronoun)
Meaning: An unspecified amount or number of.
Example: Can I have some water?
could (verb)
Meaning: Used as the past tense of can, indicating possibility.
Example: I could help you with that.
them (pronoun)
Meaning: Used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned.
Example: I saw them at the party.
see (verb)
Meaning: Perceive with the eyes; discern visually.
Example: Can you see the stars?
other (adjective)
Meaning: Used to refer to a person or thing that is different or distinct from one already mentioned.
Example: Do you have any other questions?
than (conjunction)
Meaning: Introducing the second element in a comparison.
Example: She is taller than her brother.
then (adverb)
Meaning: At that time; at the time in question.
Example: We were living in Canada then.
now (adverb)
Meaning: At the present moment.
Example: I am leaving now.
look (verb)
Meaning: Direct one’s gaze toward someone or something or in a specified direction.
Example: Look at the sky.
only (adverb)
Meaning: And no one or nothing more besides; solely or exclusively.
Example: She was the only person there.
come (verb)
Meaning: Move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker.
Example: Can you come here for a minute?
its (pronoun)
Meaning: Belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example: The dog hurt its paw.
over (preposition)
Meaning: Extending directly upward from.
Example: The lamp is over the table.
think (verb)
Meaning: Have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
Example: I think it will rain today.
also (adverb)
Meaning: In addition; too.
Example: She is a writer and also a painter.
back (noun)
Meaning: The rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips.
Example: He has a tattoo on his back.
after (preposition)
Meaning: In the time following (an event or another period of time).
Example: We went for a walk after dinner.
use (verb)
Meaning: Take, hold, or deploy (something) as a means of accomplishing a purpose or achieving a result.
Example: Can I use your phone?
two (number)
Meaning: Equivalent to the sum of one and one; one less than three; 2.
Example: She has two cats.
how (adverb)
Meaning: In what way or manner; by what means.
Example: How do you make this recipe?
our (pronoun)
Meaning: Belonging to or associated with the speaker and one or more other people previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example: This is our house.
work (verb)
Meaning: Be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, especially in one’s job.
Example: She works at a bank.
first (adjective)
Meaning: Coming before all others in time or order; earliest; 1st.
Example: She won first prize.
well (adverb)
Meaning: In a good or satisfactory way.
Example: He did well on the test.
way (noun)
Meaning: A method, style, or manner of doing something.
Example: Can you show me the way to the library?
even (adverb)
Meaning: Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme.
Example: She didn’t even call to say she was going to be late.
new (adjective)
Meaning: Not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.
Example: She bought a new car.
want (verb)
Meaning: Have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for.
Example: I want to go to the beach.
because (conjunction)
Meaning: For the reason that; since.
Example: I stayed home because it was raining.
any (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to refer to one or some of a thing or number of things, no matter how much or many.
Example: Do you have any sugar?
these (pronoun)
Meaning: Used to identify a specific set of items close at hand or being indicated.
Example: These are my books.
give (verb)
Meaning: Freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone).
Example: Please give me your hand.
day (noun)
Meaning: Each of the twenty-four-hour periods, from midnight to midnight, into which a week, month, or year is divided, and corresponding to a rotation of the earth on its axis.
Example: She works eight hours a day.
most (adverb)
Meaning: To the greatest extent.
Example: She is the most talented singer in the group.
us (pronoun)
Meaning: Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people as the object of a verb or preposition.
Example: The teacher gave us homework.
is (verb)
Meaning: Third person singular present of “be.”
Example: She is happy.
are (verb)
Meaning: Second person singular present and first, second, third person plural present of “be.”
Example: They are friends.
am (verb)
Meaning: First person singular present of “be.”
Example: I am a student.
was (verb)
Meaning: First and third person singular past of “be.”
Example: She was at the store.
were (verb)
Meaning: Second person singular past, and first, second, third person plural past of “be.”
Example: We were happy to help.
been (verb)
Meaning: Past participle of “be.”
Example: I have been to Paris.
had (verb)
Meaning: Past of “have.”
Example: She had a dog.
has (verb)
Meaning: Third person singular present of “have.”
Example: He has a new car.
does (verb)
Meaning: Third person singular present of “do.”
Example: She does her homework every day.
did (verb)
Meaning: Past of “do.”
Example: He did his best in the competition.
should (verb)
Meaning: Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness.
Example: You should brush your teeth twice a day.
must (verb)
Meaning: Be obliged to; should (expressing necessity).
Example: You must wear a seatbelt.
might (verb)
Meaning: Used to indicate possibility or probability.
Example: It might rain later.
shall (verb)
Meaning: Used to indicate future action or a suggestion.
Example: Shall we dance?
going (verb)
Meaning: Present participle of “go.”
Example: I am going to the market.
having (verb)
Meaning: Present participle of “have.”
Example: She is having a great time at the party.
doing (verb)
Meaning: Present participle of “do.”
Example: What are you doing?
being (verb)
Meaning: Present participle of “be.”
Example: He is being very quiet today.
many (adjective)
Meaning: A large number of.
Example: She has many friends.
such (adjective)
Meaning: Of the kind or degree already described or implied.
Example: He made such a mess.
much (adjective)
Meaning: A large amount.
Example: There is much to learn.
more (adjective)
Meaning: A greater or additional amount or degree.
Example: I need more time to finish.
each (pronoun)
Meaning: Every one of two or more people or things, regarded and identified separately.
Example: Each of the students has a book.
few (adjective)
Meaning: A small number of.
Example: There are few apples left.
under (preposition)
Meaning: Extending or directly below.
Example: The cat is under the table.
again (adverb)
Meaning: Another time; once more.
Example: She will sing again tonight.
home (noun)
Meaning: The place where one lives permanently.
Example: He is going home for the holidays.
life (noun)
Meaning: The existence of an individual human being or animal.
Example: She lived a long life.
little (adjective)
Meaning: Small in size, amount, or degree.
Example: The little girl is playing.
old (adjective)
Meaning: Having lived for a long time; no longer young.
Example: The old man walked slowly.
last (adjective)
Meaning: Coming after all others in time or order.
Example: She was the last person to leave.
long (adjective)
Meaning: Measuring a great distance from end to end.
Example: The bridge is very long.
great (adjective)
Meaning: Of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the normal or average.
Example: He is a great leader.
same (adjective)
Meaning: Identical; not different.
Example: They wore the same dress.
set (verb)
Meaning: Put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position.
Example: She set the table for dinner.
right (adjective)
Meaning: Morally good, justified, or acceptable.
Example: She made the right decision.
still (adverb)
Meaning: Up to and including the present or the time mentioned; even now (or then) as formerly.
Example: She is still sleeping.
too (adverb)
Meaning: To a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible; excessively.
Example: It is too hot today.
may (verb)
Meaning: Used to express possibility.
Example: You may leave if you wish.
call (verb)
Meaning: Cry out a word or words.
Example: I will call you later.
read (verb)
Meaning: Look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter).
Example: She likes to read books.
man (noun)
Meaning: An adult human male.
Example: The man opened the door.
find (verb)
Meaning: Discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly.
Example: I can’t find my keys.
here (adverb)
Meaning: In, at, or to this place or position.
Example: Come here and sit down.
need (verb)
Meaning: Require (something) because it is essential or very important.
Example: I need a drink of water.
much (adjective)
Meaning: A large amount.
Example: There is much work to do.
should (verb)
Meaning: Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness.
Example: You should see a doctor.
start (verb)
Meaning: Begin or set out on an activity or journey.
Example: We will start the meeting at 10 AM.
show (verb)
Meaning: Allow or cause (something) to be visible.
Example: Can you show me the way?
end (noun)
Meaning: A final part of something, especially a period of time, an activity, or a story.
Example: They lived happily ever after the end.
Common Words | Image
How Many Words Do I Need?
Studies suggest that understanding around 3,000 words grants comprehension of 90% of everyday English! This might seem like a lot, but focusing on high-frequency words makes the journey efficient.
Learning common words is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient, consistent, and celebrate your progress. As your vocabulary grows, so too will your confidence in using the English language!
