Here is a list of 850 words that was developed by Charles K. Ogden, and released in 1930 with the book: Basic English: A General Introduction with Rules and Grammar. For more information about this list you can visit Odgen's Basic English page. This list is an excellent starting point for building up a vocabulary which allows you to converse fluently in English.

While this list is helpful for a strong beginning, more advanced vocabulary building will help you quickly improve your English. These vocabulary books will further help you build your vocabulary, especially at advanced levels.

Basic Verbs, Prepositions, Articles, Pronouns, etc.

Words are used to form patterns of English grammar and syntax. Each word falls into one of eight categories referred to as parts of speech. Here are the eight commonly recognized parts of speech.

Certain words have further categorization such as: adverbs of frequency: always, sometimes, often, etc.determiners: this, that, these, those . However, the basic categorization of words in English fall into these eight categories. or

The Eight Parts of Speech Noun

A word which is a person, place, thing or idea.

Examples:

Mount Everest, book, horse, Peter, strength, car, Empire State Building, China, house, child

Pronoun

A word that is used to take the place of a noun.

Examples:

I, they, their, ourselves, itself, your, my, nobody, who, which, her, we

Adjective

A word that is used to describe a noun or pronoun.

Examples:

proud, purple, French, few, this, huge, sad, second, none

Verb

A word that indicates an action, being or state or being.

Examples:

play, run, think, study, smell, wait, be, drive, renounce, fill

Adverb

A word that is used to describe a verb which tells how, where, or when something is done.

Examples:

carefully, often, very, intelligently, quite, too, rarely, never

Conjunction

A word that is used to join words or groups of words.

Examples:

and, or, but, neither, because, while, since, although

Preposition

A word used indicating the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word.

Examples:

in, until, of, from, after, under, beyond, across, toward

Interjection

A single word used to express strong emotion.

Examples:

Wow! Ah! Oh! No!

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the idiomatic phrase in the question. Each question has only one correct answer.

1: Jack has egg ______ because he couldn't remember how to spell "Batman"!

2: As the maestro lifted his baton the theater was so still you could hear _____.

3: I don't agree with you, but your idea certainly gives me food _____.

4: I think I understand the nuts and _____ of the operation.

5: I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of _____.

6: Just a moment... I've got the answer on the ____ of my tongue.

7: Look, I will pay you back. Would you please call the ____?!

8: Ever since he married Jane, he's had a new ____ on life.

9: Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I guess I really put my _____ in my mouth.

10: I'll be back in the twinkling of ____.

These are appliances we use every day in our house. Each word includes a definition and example sentence:

• broiler - device for broiling meat

  That steak was done to perfection. Where did you get that boiler? It's fantastic.

• can opener - a device to open cans by cutting around the edges of the rim.

  Don't open that by hand. Use the can opener!

• compactor - device for pressing together; crusher

  You'd be surprised at how much garbage the compactor can put into one bag!

• defroster - mechanism that defrosts

  The freezer has a built in automatic defroster so ice doesn't collect.

• dicer - a machine that slices food thinly

  You can make a beautiful salad in under two minutes with this fantastic dicer!

• dishwasher - device that washes dishes

  I don't know what I'd do without my dishwasher. I can't imagine having to wash all those dishes by hand!

• dryer - device or appliance for removing moisture, as by hot air

  Honey, where's the dryer? I've just taken a shower and I need to dry my hair.

• eggbeater - rotating kitchen device for mixing egg yolk

  Could you pass me the eggbeater so I can fluff these egg whites for the lemon pie.

• fan - device for creating a current of air or a breeze

  I really don't like using the air-conditioning. I much prefer this fan to keep things cool.

• freezer - one that freezes, as a thermally insulated cabinet

  He goes shopping and buys enough food to put into his freezer for a month.

• furnace - structure or apparatus for generating heat

  Could you check if the furnace is working? It seems so cold in here.

• humidifier - apparatus for increasing the humidity in a room

  It's a good idea to put a humidifier in the room for young babies when they have a cold.

• icebox - insulated chest or box in which ice is put to cool

  We have an icebox out in the backyard where we keep the beer. Feel free to help yourself!

• iron - instrument used for taking the wrinkles out of a piece of clothing through heat

  The production of modern materials such as permanent press has almost made the iron a thing of the past.

• juicer - appliance for extracting juice from fruits

  We use a juicer to make all of our juices in-house. It's really healthy.

• oven - chamber or enclosed compartment usually used to cook in, as in a stove

  I like cooking potatoes in the oven instead of frying them.

• percolator - type of coffeepot in which boiling water is forced through a filter

  Can you plug in the percolator and make us a cup of coffee?

• refrigerator - appliance for maintaining foods at a low temperature, or producing ice

  We keep the bread in the refrigerator.

• rotisserie - cooking device equipped with a rotating spit

  In the summer, we like to use the outdoor rotisserie to cook delicious chicken.

• shaver - one that shaves; a device used in shaving

  I prefer using a shaver instead of a razor.

• stove - device used to provide heat (either electric or gas) to cook food

  I really don't know how to cook. About the only thing I can do is boil an egg on the stove.

• toaster - device used to toast bread, esp. by exposure to heat

  Could you pop this bread into the toaster?

• vacuum cleaner - appliance using suction to clean surfaces

  I used the vacuum cleaner to clean all the rugs - they really needed it.

as bad as all that

Definition: As bad something appears to be

It isn't as bad as all that. You'll be fine tomorrow.
Losing the game isn't as bad as all that.

as big as life

Definition: An exaggerated way to state that someone appeared in a particular place.

There I saw him as big as life!
John came in the room and stood there as big as life.

as black as pitch

Definition: Very dark

I couldn't see a thing in the room because it was as black as pitch.
I can't see a thing. It's as black as pitch. Get a flashlight.

as blind as a bat

Definition: Very bad eyesight

He's as blind as a bat. You can believe what he says.
That ball was in! You're as blind as a bat!

as busy as a beaver / as busy as a bee

Definition: Very busy

I was as busy as a bee over the weekend. I got a lot done.
He's always as busy as a beaver. I wonder if he ever takes a break.

as clean as a whistle

Definition: Very clean

That car is as clean as a whistle now that you've washed it.
I like to keep my desk as clean as a whistle.

as clear as crystal

Definition: Very clear and understandable

Let me be as clear as crystal. Hurry up!
She was as clear as crystal about her intentions.

as cool as a cucumber

Definition: Calm and not nervous

You have to remain as cool as a cucumber to be successful.
I stayed as cool as a cucumber as finished the exercise.

as crazy as a loon

Definition: Very crazy

She's as crazy as a loon. You can't believe a word she says.
I wouldn't worry about his opinion, he's as crazy as a loon.

as dead as a doornail

Definition: dead

That's as dead as a doornail. Forget about it.
The project is as dead as a doornail.

as easy as pie

Definition: Very easy

You'll find the exercise is as easy as pie.
This game is as easy as pie.

as far as possible

Definition: As much as possible

I'll see what I can do as far as possible.
She went as far as possible in trying to get the project approved.

as flat as a pancake

Definition: Very flat

Kansas is as flat as a pancake.
Make sure the table is as a flat as a pancake.

as free as a bird

Definition: Feeling very free and care easy

Our children are away for the weekend so we're as free as a bird.
I used to feel as free as a bird when I was younger.

as good as done

Definition: Almost done

The job is as good as done.
We're almost ready to begin. The cake is as good as done.

as happy as a clam

Definition: Very happy and content

I'm as happy as a clam living in Portland.
She seemed as happy as a clam yesterday.

as hard as nails

Definition: Cruel and very hard

He's as hard as nails with his staff.
Don't work for her. She's as hard as nails.

as hungry as a bear

Definition: Very hungry

Do you have a sandwich? I'm as hungry as a bear.
When we arrived I was as hungry as a bear.

as innocent as a lamb

Definition: Without guilt

There's no way she could have done that. She's as innocent as a lamb.
He's only pretending to be as innocent as a lamb.

as mad as a hatter

Definition: Crazy

Don't believe anything he says. He's as mad as a hatter.
They threw him out of court because he was as mad as a hatter.

as old as the hills

Definition: Very old

My aunt is as old as the hills.
That car is as old as the hills.

as plain as day

Definition: Simple, clear

The facts are as plain as day.
What you need to do is as plain as day.

as pleased as punch

Definition: Very happy with something

He's as pleased as punch with the new boss.
She's as pleased as punch with her new car.

as quiet as a mouse

Definition: Very quiet, shy

She sat in the corner and was as quiet as a mouse at the party.
Can you believe that he was as quiet as a mouse when he was a boy?

as right as rain

Definition: Genuine and true

Yes, that's as a right as rain!
She feels his views are as right as rain.

as sick as a dog

Definition: Very sick

My brother is at home as sick as a dog.
I'm feeling as sick as a dog. I think I need to go home.

As sly as a fox

Definition: Smart and clever

She understood the situation and used it to her advantage because she's as sly as a fox.
Don't trust him because he's as sly as a fox.

as soon as possible

Definition: At the earliest moment possible

Could you reply to my request as soon as possible.
I'll get back to you as soon as possible with the information.

Definition:

A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly used together in English. There are different kinds of collocations in English. Strong collocations are word pairings that are expected to come together. Good collocation examples of this type of word pairing are combinations with 'make' and 'do'. You make a cup of tea, but do your homework. Collocations are very common in business settings when certain nouns are routinely combined with certain verbs or adjectives. For example, draw up a contract, set a price, conduct negotiations, etc.

This feature points to all the vocabulary learning pages on this site which focus on collocation examples. Each page points out key collocations for various areas and includes a number of collocation examples to provide context.

Verb Collocations

These sheets provide a matching game with some of the most common verb + noun collocations used in everyday situations. Here are some examples of the types of verb collocations you will learn:

to feel free
to come prepared
to save time
to find a replacement
to make progress
to do the washing up
etc.

Business Collocations

These collocation sheets provide common collocations used in business and work settings. There are a number of forms including adjectives, nouns and other verbs that combine with these key words. Each sheet includes a number of collocation examples to illustrate usage. Here are some of the collocation examples you will find on these pages:

to key in a PIN
to deposit a check
hard-earned money
protection money
counterfeit money
etc.

Common Expressions

Collocations are often used as short expressions to describe how someone feels about a situation. In this case, collocations can be used in the adjective form, or also as emphatic expressions using an intensifier and a verb. Here are a few examples using some of these collocation examples:

We'd like to positively encourage you to buy this stock.
I deeply regret the loss of your loved one.
Tom's in an utter fury over the misunderstanding with his wife.
He went to a great length to explain the situation.

Common Adjective Collocations

When describing physical objects you can use a wide variety of adjectives such as: large, big, tiny, minuscule, small, etc. However, when describing nouns that are not physical (e.g. joy, anger, wealth) you need to pay careful attention to the choice of intensifying adjectives. This feature provides a guide to the use of the most common intensifying adjectives for non-physical nouns.

Absolute, complete, total and utter are used to express strong feelings, extreme situations, and other events - especially negative experiences.

absolute agony
complete astonishment
total bliss
(an) utter catastrophe
absolute despair

total ecstasy
utter fury
a complete idiot
utter loathing
total madness

Big

Big tends to describe a happening or a type of person. It is not usually used with uncountable nouns.

a big decision
a big disappointment
a big improvement
a big mistake
a big surprise

a big eater
a big dreamer
a big drinker
a big spender
a big talker

Great

Great usually describes nouns which express feelings or qualities.

Large

Large is often used with nouns concerning numbers and measurements. It is not usually used with uncountable nouns.

Heavy

High - Low. Notice that a number of nouns (but not all) which take 'high' also take 'low'.

Strong

The following verbs are used to express different types of sounds. Many of these words are onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia are words that intimate the sounds they express. A good example is the verb 'sizzle'. Sizzle is the sound that bacon makes as it is frying in the pan.

Buzz

Bees buzz as they fly about collecting pollen.

Hum

I like to hum as I do the cleaning around the house.

Boo

The crowd booed the politician to show their displeasure.

Howl

Sarah howled in pain when she stubbed her toe on the door.

Whimper

The dog whimpered because it missed its owner.

Crunch

The icy snow crunched underneath my feet as I walked across the field.

Whoosh

The air left the tire with a great whoosh.

Screech

The crowd screeched in the distance when it saw the people approaching.

Whir

The computer whirred as it processed the data.

Grind

Don't grind your teeth! You'll wear them down.

Gurgle

I could hear the small brook gurgling in the background.

Chirp

The little songbird chirped happily from the bush.

Rattle

The broken part rattled inside the gadget.

Neigh

The horse neighed as it came to a stop.

Squeak

The little mouse squeaked as it looked for food throughout the house.

Splash

Tom splashed loudly when he jumped into the swimming pool.

Ping

The modem pinged as it connected to the network.

Puff

I stood puffing hard after the two mile run.

Clatter

The dishes clattered in the kitchen while he cleaned up after dinner.

Thud

The book dropped onto the floor with a loud thud.

Moo

The cow mooed loudly as it tried to scare the men walking through the field.

Tinkle

The crystal glass tinkled lightly when I toasted with my wife.

Clang

Could you please be quiet? You're clanging those pots and pans and it's driving me crazy!

Hiss

The snake hissed at the hiker to warn him away.

Read the following paragraph. Notice that this paragraph describes a different person than the person who is writing the introductory paragraph.

Mary is my friend. She is a student at a college in our town. The college is very small. She lives in an apartment in the center of town. She doesn't have a dog or a cat. She studies every day and sometimes works in the evening at a small shop. The shop sells gift items like postcards, games and other small items. She enjoys playing golf, tennis and walking in the countryside.

Tips for Writing a Personal Description about a Friend

• Remember to add 's' to the present simple tense when writing about other people.
• In the present simple tense, 'doesn't' takes the 's' in the negative form. Remember to use 'doesn't + verb' in the negative.
• Use sometimes, often, never, etc. before the main verb in a sentence.
• Remember to use he, his, him for boys and men and she, her, her for girls and women.
• Use 'enjoys doing' when speaking about hobbies. It's okay to connect a few verbs using commas, but place 'and' before the final verb in the list when speaking about someone's hobbies. For example, She enjoys playing tennis, swimming and riding horses.

Hello, my name is James. I'm a programmer and I come from Chicago. I live in Seattle with my wife Jennifer. We have two children and a dog. The dog is very funny. I work at a computer company in the city. The company is very famous and successful. Our daughter is named Anna and our Son is named Peter. She is four years old and he is five. We like living and working in Seattle.

Tips for Writing a Personal Description about Yourself

• Use 'come from' for the city or country where you were born. Use 'live' for the city where you currently live.
• Use the present simple tense to explain what you do every day.
• Use 'have' or 'have got' to speak about your children, pets, etc.
• Use 'a' the first time you mention something. For example, I live in a house. Then use 'the' after the first time you write about it. For example, I live in a house. The house is in Seattle.
• Remember to use he, his, him for boys and men and she, her, her for girls and women. Use 'our' when speaking about the whole family.
• Use 'like doing' when speaking about hobbies.

Practice the ABC Song alone!

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