Here is our top list of common English words that you can add to your writing. Read our guide.
To sound natural when writing or speaking English, learners must choose the common words used by native speakers. Common words help you easily communicate with others, so learning how to use them correctly is essential.
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What Are Common Words?
These are ordinary English words that are frequently applied in daily conversations. Common words don’t only develop your standard English and proficiency but also make correspondence with others more manageable, no matter what their language expertise level may be. For writers, it’s an efficient way to let readers quickly understand what they convey.
| Able | Good | Out |
| Aboard | Great | Own |
| About | He | Person |
| After | Her | Place |
| As | Here | Problem |
| Ask | High | Public |
| Back | Him | See |
| Be | How | She |
| Because | I | Since |
| Before | If | Still |
| Behind | In | Take |
| Big | It | Them |
| But | Just | Then |
| Case | Know | They |
| Child | Last | Think |
| Company | Leave | Time |
| Concerning | Life | Underneath |
| Day | Long | Unlike |
| Despite | Look | Up |
| Different | Make | Us |
| Do | Me | Use |
| Down | More | Versus |
| Even | Myself | Via |
| Everyone | New | Way |
| Except | Next | We |
| Excluding | Nor | Well |
| Eye | Nothing | When |
| Fact | Now | Within |
| Feel | Number | Without |
| Few | Once | Year |
| From | Only | You |
| Get | Opposite | Young |
| Give | Or | |
| Go | Other |
Common Words: Nouns
Nouns are words that name people, things, places, or ideas. Common and proper nouns are critical to building a clear sentence. They’re also crucial for capitalization. You might also be interested in our list of Pictionary words for parties.
- Case
The victim’s family asks the media to stop sensationalizing their relative’s murder case.
- Child
Mark insists he isn’t a child anymore.
- Company
My friends believe that Quantum is the best company for a customer service niche.
- Day
The day Amber and her family have been waiting for has arrived.
- Eye
Look me in the eye and tell me the truth.
- Fact
The fact that you’re not willing to accept being mistaken shows a lot about your personality.
- Life
The coach tells her to run like her life depends on it.
- Number
The guy by the bar is asking for your number.
- Person
He’s the type of person who lets others misunderstand him.
- Place
The place where Jae took the photo is just behind the university.
- Problem
The only problem during our research is driving the students to school daily.
- Time
It’s time you tell him the truth.
- Way
Mimi taps my shoulder and says we are heading the wrong way.
- Year
I have been waiting for my friend to return to our hometown every year. You might also be interested in our list of uncommon words.
Common Words: Verbs
Verbs are concerned with describing actions, states of being, or occurrences. They can stand alone or can be helping verbs. This category has many characteristics: mood, voice, person, number, form, and tense. They are important in communication as they help the writer or speaker discuss events and activities.
- Ask
I’ll go to Mrs. Smith’s office later to ask about our final science project.
- Be
He’s a responsible young man. I’m sure he’ll be there.
- Do
He needs to do a lot of work to mend his reputation.
- Feel
Our culinary teacher asked us to feel the dough he made before attempting to make our own.
- Get
Belinda asks her husband to get groceries after work.
- Give
She refused to give her number to the stranger.
- Go
As part of the deal, we must go back home at least once a year.
- Know
I want to know why you have been ignoring me for days.
- Leave
The next time your friends ignore you during a party, leave.
- Look
You only look at my mistakes, never the good things I’ve done for you.
- Make
The translation team has to make a staff switch before the event.
- See
I’m saving up this year to see Taylor Swift next year.
- Take
Jason’s planning to take the bar exam next year.
- Think
Jade asked him to let her think it over.
- Use
They only use organic materials for their products.
Common Words: Pronouns
Pronouns sometimes take the place of nouns or noun phrases. They help avoid the redundant use of nouns to make the piece smoother to read. In verbal communication, they assist the speaker in speaking faster and making their sentences more varied.
- Everyone
Everyone in the class is required to attend the school fair.
- He
He is the most manipulative person I have ever met.
- Her
It was wrong for Timothy to befriend her only because his mom forced him.
- Him
I told Janna to block him on social media so that she isn’t reminded of the breakup.
- I
I always pray that our family will overcome every problem.
- It
For me, it is the most fantastic reality show of all time.
- Me
It’s tough for me to move on from my failures.
- Myself
I promise to make myself available that day to attend your wedding.
- Nothing
I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else I can do to assist you.
- She
She’s one of the few people I trust.
- They
The teams ask the panelists if they can show the video clips of the interviews.
- Them
The kids don’t have any classes today, let them sleep in.
- Us
We’ve been waiting for an hour; it seems like the president won’t have time to meet us again today.
- We
The teacher says we have to create five-page essays about our life goals.
- You
You should talk to your mother soon.
Common Words: Adverbs
Adverbs modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb. These words help answer many questions, such as “in what way,” “how often,” and “to what extent.” Take note that there are types of adverbs that you should understand first so you can correctly use them in your writing and speaking.
- Back
I didn’t think I’ll miss my family this much. I want to get back home.
- Down
The teacher asked the students to sit down and listen.
- Even
She was at his every beck and call. He didn’t even need to call her twice.
- Here
I’m not sure where she went. I asked her to wait here for me.
- How
I already told you this, but you shouldn’t be shocked at how loyalties change when dire consequences are at play.
- In
Please don’t be shy. Come in and have dinner with us.
- Just
She left because too much drama was happening with her family, and she just couldn’t take it anymore.
- More
I believe there’s more to life than just trying to advance your career.
- Now
After giving birth to my son, I now understand what my mother meant when she told me she would do anything for her children.
- Only
He’s our school’s only hope to win the political science debate.
- Out
Chris came out of the closet after an hour of hide and seek.
- Still
I still can’t believe you’re here with me now.
- Then
I’m not sure how the argument in the kitchen started. I was taking a bath then.
- Up
He looked up at him.
- Well
It’s a shame that she knew her so well for years, only for Lia to betray her.
- When
She asked me when I got my package delivered.
Common Words: Adjectives
These words modify or describe nouns or noun phrases to limit their characteristics and make them more specific. Adjectives make writing colorful and interesting by helping readers or listeners attribute details to the nouns for better imagination and understanding.
- Able
I was able to check my tickets and settle the payment because of the considerable time allowance.
- Big
Jake has a big villa near the lake.
- Different
Our teachers’ different styles help us know what works best for students.
- Few
There are few good people left in this neighborhood.
- Good
Despite the difficulties he endured during his childhood, Ethan grew up to be a good person.
- Great
Overall, it was still a great year for me.
- High
Many students successfully achieved high scores in this semester’s qualifying exams.
- Last
Is that the last episode of the first season of House of the Dragons?
- Long
Her long, curly hair bounced as she walked.
- New
Zia wants to buy a new set of eyeshadows.
- Next
We should plant trees for the next generation.
- Own
Shane has to scold her own brother for being too loud while at church.
- Other
Hannah finally showed everyone her other side.
- Public
Danielle plans to join the dance competition in the public park near our school.
- Young
The majority of the victims of the tragedy are young people.
Common Words: Preposition
While there are words used to describe, modify, and identify others, prepositions are mainly for expressing a word’s relation to another. These common preposition words help link words to avoid miscommunication.
- Aboard
The seafarers climb aboard the ship to Ibiza.
- About
The psychiatrist is busy thinking about her patient and her worsening mental health.
- Before
Agatha was a witch before the townspeople discovered she was the lost royal princess.
- Behind
The director sets up another hidden camera behind the painting.
- Concerning
I have already emailed the accounting department concerning my salary dispute.
- Despite
Despite her history, Sophie still managed to climb the social ladder.
- Excluding
The total rent is $3,000, excluding city services and condo dues.
- From
If you’re looking for sympathy, get it from someone else.
- Opposite
Our company building is opposite the convenience store.
- Underneath
Shaun told the audience to check underneath their seats for a green envelope.
- Unlike
This apartment is cheaper and more practical, unlike the ones we checked in yesterday.
- Versus
The school is planning a mural painting competition for Section A versus Section B.
- Via
Unfortunately, we can only talk via phone for now.
- Within
My manager asked me to send my report within the week.
- Without
I don’t think Lara still believes when a man says he can’t live without her.
Common Words: Conjunctions
Conjunctions allow speakers and writers to create more complex sentences. Plus, some words or clauses will sound different without anything to connect to, which often leads to misunderstanding. These common conjunctions assist in providing a smooth and more accurate presentation of ideas.
- After
She wonders what will happen after she refuses his advances.
- As
I saw her mom on their porch as I was leaving.
- Because
My mother blamed me for the burnt rice because I forgot to remind her.
- But
She might be nice, but she has many secrets.
- Except
I try to include everyone on my team except those who refuse to cooperate.
- If
I’ll accompany you to the museum if you pay my entrance fee.
- Nor
Neither the fans nor the staff saw the lost shoe.
- Once
I know you’ll like him once you two have a proper introduction.
- Or
I’m not too fond of sausages or ham on a pizza.
- Since
Rose became a fan of the group since they came out.
To improve your writing skills, check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays.If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips!
