Core words 1

Function words for short everyday sentences

50 entries. Read the meaning, try to make your own sentence, then reveal the example. These are topic collections, not a CEFR assessment.

Pronunciation is optional. A Listen button appears only for an approved fixed recording. IPA is shown only when the curated lexicon has one unambiguous reading; unsupported pronunciation is omitted.

Speed

the

article

used for a particular thing that the listener can identify

/ðə/ · General American

Reveal an example

Please close the window beside your desk.

be

verb

to exist or have a particular state

/biː/ · General American

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The office will be quiet tomorrow.

to

preposition

towards a place

/tuː/ · General American

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We walked to the station after lunch.

of

preposition

belonging to or connected with something

/ʌv/ · General American

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The name of the street is on the map.

and

conjunction

used to join words or ideas

/ənd/ · General American

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Bring a pen and a notebook.

a

article

used before one thing that is not yet identified

/ə/ · General American

Reveal an example

I need a chair for the meeting.

in

preposition

inside a place or space

/ɪn/ · General American

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The keys are in my bag.

have

verb

to own or hold something

/hæv/ · General American

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We have two tickets for tonight.

it

pronoun

used for a thing already mentioned

/ɪt/ · General American

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The door is open; please close it.

I

pronoun

the person who is speaking

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I take the bus to work.

you

pronoun

the person or people being spoken to

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You can leave your coat here.

he

pronoun

used for a male person already mentioned

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Sam called because he needed the address.

she

pronoun

used for a female person already mentioned

/ʃiː/ · General American

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Maya said she would arrive at six.

we

pronoun

the speaker together with other people

/wiː/ · General American

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We share a small office.

they

pronoun

used for people or things already mentioned

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The shops are open because they close late today.

this

pronoun

the thing near the speaker or being discussed

/ðɪs/ · General American

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This is the form you need.

that

pronoun

a thing being pointed out or already mentioned

/ðæt/ · General American

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That is the bus we need.

what

pronoun

used to ask which thing or information

/wʌt/ · General American

Reveal an example

What do you need for the trip?

can

verb

to be able to do something

/kæn/ · General American

Reveal an example

I can send the file this afternoon.

do

verb

to perform an action or task

/duː/ · General American

Reveal an example

Please do the first exercise again.

will

verb

used to talk about a future action

/wɪl/ · General American

Reveal an example

The shop will open at nine.

go

verb

to move to another place

/ɡoʊ/ · General American

Reveal an example

We go to the market on Saturdays.

come

verb

to move towards a person or place

/kʌm/ · General American

Reveal an example

Please come into the waiting room.

say

verb

to express something in words

/seɪ/ · General American

Reveal an example

Please say your name slowly.

get

verb

to receive or obtain something

/ɡɛt/ · General American

Reveal an example

You can get a ticket at the machine.

see

verb

to notice something with your eyes

/siː/ · General American

Reveal an example

I can see the station from here.

know

verb

to have information about something

/noʊ/ · General American

Reveal an example

Do you know the name of this street?

want

verb

to wish to have or do something

/wɑːnt/ · General American

Reveal an example

I want a room with a desk.

like

verb

to enjoy something

Reveal an example

I like reading on the train.

make

verb

to create or produce something

/meɪk/ · General American

Reveal an example

We make fresh bread every morning.

not

adverb

used to make a statement negative

/nɑːt/ · General American

Reveal an example

This is not the right address.

with

preposition

together with someone or something

/wɪð/ · General American

Reveal an example

I am travelling with a colleague.

for

preposition

intended to help or be used by someone

/fɔːr/ · General American

Reveal an example

This seat is for the next customer.

on

preposition

touching the top surface of something

/ɑːn/ · General American

Reveal an example

Your receipt is on the table.

at

preposition

used to identify a particular place

/æt/ · General American

Reveal an example

Meet me at the main entrance.

from

preposition

starting in a particular place

/frʌm/ · General American

Reveal an example

The bus comes from the airport.

all

determiner

the whole amount or every member of a group

/ɔːl/ · General American

Reveal an example

All the windows are closed.

one

number

the number 1

/wʌn/ · General American

Reveal an example

I need one ticket to the city centre.

but

conjunction

used to introduce a different or unexpected idea

/bʌt/ · General American

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The room is small but comfortable.

or

conjunction

used to offer another choice

/ɔːr/ · General American

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Would you prefer tea or water?

as

preposition

in the role of someone or something

/æz/ · General American

Reveal an example

She works as a doctor at the local hospital.

if

conjunction

used to introduce a condition

/ɪf/ · General American

Reveal an example

Call me if the train is late.

my

determiner

belonging to the person speaking

/maɪ/ · General American

Reveal an example

My appointment is at ten.

your

determiner

belonging to the person being spoken to

/jɔːr/ · General American

Reveal an example

Please write your name here.

his

determiner

belonging to a male person

Reveal an example

Arun left his jacket in the office.

her

determiner

belonging to a female person

/hɝː/ · General American

Reveal an example

Maya put her bag under the chair.

who

pronoun

used to ask about a person

/huː/ · General American

Reveal an example

Who is leading the meeting?

how

adverb

used to ask about a way of doing something

/haʊ/ · General American

Reveal an example

How do I open this file?

when

adverb

used to ask about a time

/wɛn/ · General American

Reveal an example

When does the next train leave?

where

adverb

used to ask about a place

/wɛr/ · General American

Reveal an example

Where can I buy a ticket?

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