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

#	Word	Translation	Part of speech	Qualifications
1	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	-
2	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	-
3	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	-
4	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	-
5	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	-
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	inShows that something is inside a place, time, or situation.	Shows that something is inside a place, time, or situation.	preposition	-
8	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	-
9	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	-
10	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	-
11	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	-
12	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	-
13	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	-
14	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	-
15	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	-
16	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	-
17	asUsed to compare things that are equal, to mean "while", or to give a reason or a role.	Used to compare things that are equal, to mean "while", or to give a reason or a role.	conjunction	-
18	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	-
19	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	-
20	atShows an exact place or an exact time.	Shows an exact place or an exact time.	preposition	-
21	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	-
22	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	-
23	hisShows that something belongs to a man or boy already mentioned.	Shows that something belongs to a man or boy already mentioned.	determiner	-
24	byShows who does an action, how something is done, or that something is very close.	Shows who does an action, how something is done, or that something is very close.	preposition	-
25	fromShows where something starts, or where a person or thing comes from.	Shows where something starts, or where a person or thing comes from.	preposition	-
26	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	-
27	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	-
28	sayTo speak words, or to tell someone something using your voice.	To speak words, or to tell someone something using your voice.	verb	-
29	herBelonging to a woman or girl who has already been mentioned.	Belonging to a woman or girl who has already been mentioned.	determiner	-
30	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	-
31	orUsed to show a choice between two or more things or actions.	Used to show a choice between two or more things or actions.	conjunction	-
32	anUsed before a noun that starts with a vowel sound to mean one of something.	Used before a noun that starts with a vowel sound to mean one of something.	article	-
33	willUsed before another verb to talk about something that is going to happen in the future.	Used before another verb to talk about something that is going to happen in the future.	verb	-
34	myBelonging to the person who is speaking.	Belonging to the person who is speaking.	determiner	-
35	oneThe number 1, or a word that stands for a single thing already mentioned.	The number 1, or a word that stands for a single thing already mentioned.	pronoun	-
36	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	-
37	wouldUsed to talk about something that is not certain, or to ask or offer politely.	Used to talk about something that is not certain, or to ask or offer politely.	verb	-
38	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	-
39	theirBelonging to a group of people or things already mentioned.	Belonging to a group of people or things already mentioned.	determiner	-
40	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	-
41	soUsed to show the result of something, meaning for that reason.	Used to show the result of something, meaning for that reason.	conjunction	-
42	upTowards a higher place, or to a standing or finished position.	Towards a higher place, or to a standing or finished position.	adverb	-
43	outAway from the inside of a place, or no longer inside.	Away from the inside of a place, or no longer inside.	adverb	-
44	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	-
45	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	-
46	whoUsed to ask about a person, or to mean the person that.	Used to ask about a person, or to mean the person that.	pronoun	-
47	getTo receive or obtain something, or to become a certain way.	To receive or obtain something, or to become a certain way.	verb	-
48	whichUsed to ask or say which one thing from a known group you mean.	Used to ask or say which one thing from a known group you mean.	pronoun	-
49	goTo move or travel from one place to another.	To move or travel from one place to another.	verb	-
50	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	-