Here is our top list of high-frequency words you can add to your writing.
Learning to pronounce, read, spell, and understand high-frequency words aids children and novice writers in reading and writing more efficiently. People who can easily recognize these words have more confidence in communicating with others.
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What Are High-Frequency Words?

High-frequency words refer to the most commonly used terms in the English language. They are the recurring words in a text that help learners to form sentences better. These words may or may not have meaning, but they help complete a sentence’s context. Some high-frequency words are decodable or non-decodable. It’s the reason these words are sometimes called “sight words” or “tricky words.”
A | Her | Only |
About | Here | Out |
All | Him | People |
An | His | Put |
And | House | Said |
Any | I | See |
Are | If | She |
As | I’m | So |
At | In | Some |
Back | Into | That |
Be | Is | The |
Because | It | They |
Big | Its | Them |
But | Just | Then |
By | Like | There |
Can | Little | Their |
Children | Live | This |
Come | Look | Time |
Dad | Make | To |
Day | Me | Too |
Do | Mr | Up |
Don’t | Mrs | Very |
Down | Mum | What |
For | My | We |
From | No | When |
Get | Not | Where |
Give | Now | Which |
Go | Of | Why |
Got | Off | Will |
Have | Oh | With |
He | Old | You |
Help | One | Your |
Check out our list of action words to incorporate into your writing.
The Most Used Words in the English Language
These words are the most repeated not only in writing but also in verbal communication. There are many cases where it’s impossible to imagine these words, as they have a meaning that can only be understood or memorized.
- A
My mother wants to ask if you want a new blanket while you’re here.
- And
The Shawshank Redemption and The Godfather top the IMDb top 250 movies with a 9.2 rating.
- Be
Regardless of their shortcomings, always be respectful to your parents.
- Do
Do you know why he’s transferring schools?
- Get
You need to get out of here immediately!
- Have
I have to tell you something, but I don’t know how and where to start.
- I
I am here to reclaim everything that is mine.
- In
My grandmother likes to read her journal in the mornings.
- It
It is true that Jason’s father is cheating on his mother.
- Me
Stop asking me for advice when you don’t intend to use it.
- My
Greg, this is my little sister, Nicole.
- Not
That is not the right way to bake a cake.
- Of
Ricky is a friend and a coworker of mine, that’s all.
- That
Britches, now known as trousers, is an English word that people no longer use.
- The
Charles III is now the king of the United Kingdom.
- This
I don’t know why she’s so nervous; this is not her first performance.
- To
I want you to know that I can forgive but will never forget.
- What
Care to explain what this mess is all about?
- We
Father said we need to move again because of his work.
- You
Are you the one who always sends me cookies? You might also be interested in our list of dictionary sounds.
High-Frequency Words in Phase 2 Phonics
Phase 2 phonics is where kids learn the sounds a letter makes. It’s also known as phonemes. While there are 44 unique sounds, in phase 2, children only focus on 19 single letter sounds that are most persistent in the English language. See the examples below to use in your writing or teaching phonic lessons:
- An
My brother is training to be an architect.
- As
As much as I would like to stay for a sleepover, I need to go home.
- At
Can we meet later at the library to talk about the project?
- Back
I’ll be back soon, don’t worry.
- Big
That tall guy is Eric’s big brother.
- But
I don’t like its color, but this dress is way better than the other one, right?
- Can
Can you help me with my film project?
- Dad
Dad and I are in charge of today’s dinner.
- Go
I usually go to the local gym once a month with my friends.
- Got
I got pushed by people rushing to get on and off the train.
- Him
If you love him, why don’t you fight for him?
- His
Gio is trying to finish his homework as soon as possible.
- If
If we study hard, we’ll surely pass our exams.
- Into
Please put the dirty dishes into the sink.
- Is
Glenda is now a famous writer!
- Mum
My mum likes doing community service to help other people.
- No
There are no trains running today because of the typhoon.
- Off
Get into the habit of turning off lights you don’t use.
- Up
My eldest brother will pick me up at the airport.
High-Frequency Words in Phase 3 Phonics
These high-frequency words enhance English vocabulary. By reviewing the terms in phase 3 phonics, children develop their reception of more complex words. This phase is the continuation of phase 2, which introduces the remaining and less common phonemes. Here are the sample sentences with high-frequency words whose sounds come from two letters to form a proper word:
- All
All students will join the Christmas ball.
- Are
Are you sure this is the right way back to the camp?
- Down
I want to write down many things on my bucket list.
- For
I think this package from London is for you.
- Give
Please give me a reason why you think I should accept your apology.
- He
He is a very adventurous guy who wants to try many things in life.
- Her
I can’t believe our new professor is her mom.
- Live
If you dream of being a great singer, learn to sing live.
- Look
Please look at the board and tell me the answer to the third question.
- Now
Now is the right time to tell them about the surprise party.
- Only
Jay is the only child in their family.
- See
The teacher wants to see the classroom president after class.
- She
I hope she grows up kind, sweet, and beautiful.
- They
The board of directors said they want to evaluate all the candidates before choosing who will get the promotion.
- Them
Can you please tell them I cannot attend the meeting?
- Then
No, honey, finish your homework first, and then you can play.
- Too
The coffee is too hot to drink!
- Will
My grandmother will be a hundred years old next week.
- With
My cousin always jokes about marrying someone with a lot of money.
High-Frequency Words in Phase 4 Phonics
In the fourth phase, there are more tricky words and spelling patterns. The activities in phase 4 include reading and spelling CVCC (consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant) words, tricky words, frequency words, and writing sentences. Learning these words is essential to be more confident and expand your vocabulary.
- Any
Will she bring any friends to her birthday party?
- Because
I will not be able to go to school because I have a fever.
- Children
Angelica is raising her children alone
- Come
Do you think he will agree if I ask him to come with me?
- Help
My father likes to help us with our homework.
- From
I believe the transferee is from California.
- Its
The cheese on your fridge is past its best-before date.
- Just
You just have to believe in yourself to get through every challenge in life.
- Like
Do you like your birthday party to be grand or intimate?
- Little
My little brother always cries whenever I leave the house.
- One
Surprisingly, only one student got the correct answer.
- Out
Do you want to go out with me tonight?
- Said
The weather forecaster said it’ll rain tonight.
- So
I am so excited about this birthday surprise!
- Some
He hides some of the artist’s beautiful artworks in this closet.
- There
Will you still go there even if it’s raining hard?
- When
When will you return to Los Angeles?
- Where
Do you know where I put my eyeglasses?
- Which
This is the car which she wants to buy for her parents.
- Why
I wonder why the groom keeps looking at the church door instead of his bride.
High-Frequency Words in Phase 5 Phonics
This phase aims to widen an individual’s knowledge about graphemes and phonemes. Since it’s more advanced than the other phases, there are many activities included in this phase, one of which is learning how to spell and read high-frequency words. Here’s the list of decodable and tricky words used in this phase:
- About
Tell me about your life goals.
- By
A small family is living by the lake.
- Day
Chan’s mother works day and night at the convenience store.
- Don’t
Don’t let fear lead you to despair.
- Here
Professor, here is the list of students who want to join the dance competition.
- House
No one knows that Kyla lives in a fancy house.
- I’m
I’m afraid of failing my math class.
- Make
My friend said she’ll make a cake for my birthday.
- Mr
Mr. Smith is a good man.
- Mrs
Mrs. Andrews is a strict English teacher.
- Oh
Oh, what a pretty name for a pretty young lady!
- Old
I want to buy an old traditional house and renovate it a bit.
- People
People are free to say and do anything they want, but sometimes it’s too much.
- Put
Please put the groceries on the tabletop.
- Their
It’s the parents’ responsibility to look after their children.
- Time
What time will we meet tomorrow to do our project?
- Very
I am very thankful that I have a friend like you.
- Your
Please do not forget to tell your parents about the upcoming school events.
Are you looking for more ways to expand your vocabulary and improve your skills? Check out our list of compound words to make your writing more engaging.
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