English · Critical 100

The highest-leverage opening hundred English words. Function words and the handful of verbs and nouns you will use in every conversation.

Curriculum

100 words

#	Freq	Word	Translation	Part of speech	Qualifications
1	1	youThe word a speaker uses for the person or people they are talking to.	The word a speaker uses for the person or people they are talking to.	pronoun	-
2	2	IThe word a speaker uses to talk about themselves as the subject of a sentence.	The word a speaker uses to talk about themselves as the subject of a sentence.	pronoun	-
3	3	beTo exist, or to join a subject to a word that describes what or how it is.	To exist, or to join a subject to a word that describes what or how it is.	verb	-
4	4	theUsed before a noun when the listener already knows which person or thing you mean.	Used before a noun when the listener already knows which person or thing you mean.	article	-
5	5	toShows direction or a target, and also goes before a verb to make its basic form (the infinitive).	Shows direction or a target, and also goes before a verb to make its basic form (the infinitive).	preposition	-
6	6	aUsed before a noun to talk about one person or thing for the first time, when it is not a special or known one.	Used before a noun to talk about one person or thing for the first time, when it is not a special or known one.	article	-
7	7	itStands for a thing, an animal, or an idea already mentioned, and can also start a sentence about weather or time.	Stands for a thing, an animal, or an idea already mentioned, and can also start a sentence about weather or time.	pronoun	-
8	8	doTo carry out an action, and also a helper word used to make questions and negatives.	To carry out an action, and also a helper word used to make questions and negatives.	verb	-
9	9	thatPoints to a person or thing further away, or the one already mentioned, and can also join two parts of a sentence.	Points to a person or thing further away, or the one already mentioned, and can also join two parts of a sentence.	determiner	-
10	10	andJoins two words, phrases, or sentences together to add one to another.	Joins two words, phrases, or sentences together to add one to another.	conjunction	-
11	11	ofShows that one thing belongs to, is part of, or comes from another.	Shows that one thing belongs to, is part of, or comes from another.	preposition	-
12	12	inShows that something is inside a place, time, or situation.	Shows that something is inside a place, time, or situation.	preposition	-
13	13	haveTo own or hold something, or to help make a past tense (have, has, had).	To own or hold something, or to help make a past tense (have, has, had).	verb	-
14	14	whatUsed to ask about a thing, or to mean the thing that.	Used to ask about a thing, or to mean the thing that.	pronoun	-
15	15	weThe word you use to talk about yourself together with one or more other people.	The word you use to talk about yourself together with one or more other people.	pronoun	-
16	16	meThe word the speaker uses for themselves when they receive the action.	The word the speaker uses for themselves when they receive the action.	pronoun	-
17	17	thisPoints to a person or thing that is near, or the one you are talking about right now.	Points to a person or thing that is near, or the one you are talking about right now.	determiner	-
18	18	getTo receive or obtain something, or to become a certain way.	To receive or obtain something, or to become a certain way.	verb	-
19	19	heStands for a man or boy already mentioned, when he is the subject of the sentence.	Stands for a man or boy already mentioned, when he is the subject of the sentence.	pronoun	-
20	20	forShows who or what something is meant to help, or the reason or length of time for something.	Shows who or what something is meant to help, or the reason or length of time for something.	preposition	-
21	21	goTo move or travel from one place to another.	To move or travel from one place to another.	verb	-
22	22	myBelonging to the person who is speaking.	Belonging to the person who is speaking.	determiner	-
23	23	onShows that something rests on top of a surface, or names a day or date.	Shows that something rests on top of a surface, or names a day or date.	preposition	-
24	24	yourBelonging to the person or people you are talking to.	Belonging to the person or people you are talking to.	determiner	-
25	25	knowTo have information about something, or to be familiar with a person.	To have information about something, or to be familiar with a person.	verb	-
26	26	noNot any, or used to give a negative answer.	Not any, or used to give a negative answer.	determiner	-
27	27	notUsed to make a word or sentence mean the opposite, or to say something is untrue.	Used to make a word or sentence mean the opposite, or to say something is untrue.	adverb	-
28	28	canTo be able to do something, or to be allowed to do it.	To be able to do something, or to be allowed to do it.	verb	-
29	29	withShows that people or things are together, or names the tool used to do something.	Shows that people or things are together, or names the tool used to do something.	preposition	-
30	30	butJoins two ideas to show a difference or a surprise between them.	Joins two ideas to show a difference or a surprise between them.	conjunction	-
31	31	allThe whole amount or every one of a group of things or people.	The whole amount or every one of a group of things or people.	pronoun	-
32	32	soUsed to show the result of something, meaning for that reason.	Used to show the result of something, meaning for that reason.	conjunction	-
33	33	justA very short time ago, or only and nothing more.	A very short time ago, or only and nothing more.	adverb	-
34	34	thereIn or to that place, or used to say that something exists.	In or to that place, or used to say that something exists.	pronoun	-
35	35	comeTo move towards the person who is speaking, or to arrive at a place.	To move towards the person who is speaking, or to arrive at a place.	verb	-
36	36	hereIn, at, or to this place.	In, at, or to this place.	adverb	-
37	37	likeTo enjoy someone or something, or to find them nice.	To enjoy someone or something, or to find them nice.	verb	-
38	38	theyStands for two or more people or things already mentioned, when they are the subject of the sentence.	Stands for two or more people or things already mentioned, when they are the subject of the sentence.	pronoun	-
39	39	wantTo wish for or feel that you would like to have or do something.	To wish for or feel that you would like to have or do something.	verb	-
40	40	sheThe word you use to talk about a woman or girl already mentioned.	The word you use to talk about a woman or girl already mentioned.	pronoun	-
41	41	thinkTo use your mind to form ideas, opinions, or beliefs about something.	To use your mind to form ideas, opinions, or beliefs about something.	verb	-
42	42	ifUsed to say that one thing depends on another thing being true.	Used to say that one thing depends on another thing being true.	conjunction	-
43	43	rightCorrect or true, or the side that is opposite the left.	Correct or true, or the side that is opposite the left.	adjective	-
44	44	goodOf a high quality, nice, or the way you want it to be.	Of a high quality, nice, or the way you want it to be.	adjective	-
45	45	outAway from the inside of a place, or no longer inside.	Away from the inside of a place, or no longer inside.	adverb	-
46	46	aboutOn the subject of something, or close to a number or time.	On the subject of something, or close to a number or time.	preposition	-
47	47	seeTo notice something with your eyes, or to understand it.	To notice something with your eyes, or to understand it.	verb	-
48	48	upTowards a higher place, or to a standing or finished position.	Towards a higher place, or to a standing or finished position.	adverb	-
49	49	atShows an exact place or an exact time.	Shows an exact place or an exact time.	preposition	-
50	50	himUsed to talk about a man or boy after a verb or preposition.	Used to talk about a man or boy after a verb or preposition.	pronoun	-