Grammar & Function Words
Small words that connect, point, compare, negate, and structure sentences.
395 words
Download MarkdownSome words in this topic are A2–C2 — part of Pro. A1 words are always free.
Go ProA1 (119)
you
A1
/jə/
The person or people being spoken to, as the subject of a sentence.
M
S
I
A1
/aɪ/
The word a speaker or writer uses to refer to themselves as the subject of a sentence.
M
S
the
A1
/ðə/
Used before a noun to refer to a specific person or thing already known or mentioned.
M
S
to
A1
/tuː/
In the direction of; so as to reach a place.
M
S
a
A1
/æɪ/
used before a noun to refer to one person or thing that is not specific or not already known
M
S
it
A1
/ɪt/
Used to refer to a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
M
S
and
A1
/ænd/
Used to join two words, phrases, or sentences that are taken together.
M
S
that
A1
/ðət/
Used to introduce a clause stating what someone says, thinks, or believes.
M
S
of
A1
/ʌv/
Belonging to or connected with someone or something.
M
S
is
A1
/ɪz/
Third-person singular present tense of be
M
S
in
A1
/ən/
Inside a place, container, or area.
M
S
what
A1
/wʌt/
Used to ask for information about a thing or situation.
M
S
we
A1
/wi/
Used by a speaker to refer to themselves and one or more other people.
M
S
me
A1
/mi/
The form of 'I' used as the object of a verb or preposition.
M
S
this
A1
/ðɪs/
Referring to a person or thing that is here or nearby.
M
S
he
A1
/ˈhiː/
Used to refer to a male person or animal already mentioned or known.
M
S
for
A1
/fɔɹ/
Intended to belong to or be given to someone.
M
S
my
A1
/maɪ/
Belonging to or connected with me.
M
S
on
A1
/ɔn/
Working, active, or switched to operate.
M
S
have
A1
/hæv/
To own or possess something.
M
S
your
A1
/jɔː(ɹ)/
Belonging to or connected with you.
M
S
do
A1
/də/
To carry out or perform an action or task.
M
S
was
A1
/wəz/
Past tense of "be" used with I, he, she, or it.
M
S
no
A1
/no/
Used to give a negative answer or to refuse or disagree.
M
S
A2 (63) Pro
been
A2
/bɪn/
Past participle of be.
M
S
done
A2
/dʊn/
Finished or completed.
M
S
being
A2
/ˈbi.ɪŋ/
A living creature.
M
S
enough
A2
/ɪˈnʌf/
As much or as many as needed.
M
S
might
A2
/maɪt/
Used to say that something is possible but not certain.
M
S
next
A2
/nɛkst/
Coming immediately after the current one in order or time.
M
S
without
A2
/wɪθˈaʊt/
Not having or not using something.
M
S
such
A2
/sʌt͡ʃ/
Of this or that kind; like the one mentioned.
M
S
yet
A2
/ˈjɛt/
Up to now; used to say something has not happened so far.
M
S
while
A2
/ʍaɪl/
During the time that; at the same time as.
M
S
since
A2
/sɪn(t)s/
From a point in the past until now.
M
S
ah
A2
/ɑː/
An exclamation used to show feelings such as understanding, relief, surprise, or wonder.
M
S
myself
A2
/maɪˈsɛlf/
Used as the object of a verb or preposition when the speaker is also the subject.
M
S
few
A2
/fjuː/
A small number of; not many.
M
S
whatever
A2
/wʌtˈɛv.ɚ/
Anything or everything that.
M
S
inside
A2
/ˈɪnsaɪd/
Within a building or enclosed space; indoors.
M
S
somebody
A2
/ˈsʌmbˌʌdi/
A person who is not named or known; someone.
M
S
mine
A2
/maɪ̯n/
The thing or things belonging to me.
M
S
against
A2
/əˈɡɛ̟nst/
Touching or leaning on something for support.
M
S
shall
A2
/ʃæl/
Used with I or we to talk about the future.
M
S
least
A2
/list/
To the smallest degree or amount.
M
S
nobody
A2
/ˈnəʊ.bɒd.i/
No person; not anyone.
M
S
though
A2
/ðoʊ/
Used to introduce a fact that makes the main statement surprising; even if; although.
M
S
yours
A2
/jɔɹz/
The thing or things belonging to you.
M
S
B1 (59) Pro
unless
B1
/ənˈlɛs/
Except if; used to say something will happen if a condition is not met.
M
S
buddy
B1
/ˈbʌd.i/
A friend
M
S
whether
B1
/ˈwɛðə(ɹ)/
Used to introduce a choice or doubt between two or more possibilities.
M
S
according
B1
/əˈkɔɹ.dɪŋ/
according to: as stated, reported, or believed by a particular person or source
M
S
whoever
B1
/huˈɛvɚ/
Any person that; the person that.
M
S
nor
B1
/nɔɹ/
And not; used after "neither" or another negative to add a second negative idea.
M
S
ought
B1
/ʊt/
Used to say that something is the right or sensible thing to do.
M
S
onto
B1
/ˈɑn.tu/
To a position on top of or on the surface of something.
M
S
ours
B1
/ˈaʊɚz/
The thing or things that belong to us.
M
S
whenever
B1
/wəˈnɛvɚ/
At any time that; on any occasion that.
M
S
including
B1
/ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
Used to mention one or more members of a larger group just named.
M
S
per
B1
/pɝ/
For each.
M
S
wherever
B1
/(h)wɛɹˈɛvɚ/
In, at, or to any place that.
M
S
despite
B1
/dɪˈspaɪt/
Without being affected or stopped by something; in spite of.
M
S
agreement
B1
/əˈɡɹiːmənt/
An arrangement between people or groups about what each will do.
M
S
throughout
B1
/θɹuːˈaʊt/
In every part of a place.
M
S
vice
B1
/ˈvaɪs/
Bad or immoral behavior, or a bad habit.
M
S
underneath
B1
/ˌʌndɚˈniθ/
Directly below or under something.
M
S
forth
B1
/fɔɹθ/
Forward in place, time, or order.
M
S
beneath
B1
/bɪˈniːθ/
Under or below something.
M
S
provided
B1
/prəˈvaɪdəd/
Only if a particular condition is met.
M
S
various
B1
/ˈvɛəɹi.əs/
Several different; more than one of various kinds.
M
S
regarding
B1
/ɹɪˈɡɑɹdɪŋ/
About; concerning a particular subject.
M
S
fur
B1
/fɝ/
The soft, thick hair that covers many animals.
M
S
B2 (33) Pro
times
B2
/tɑemz/
A particular period in history or in someone's life.
M
S
em
B2
/əm/
an informal, usually unstressed form of them, commonly written ’em
M
S
considering
B2
/kənˈsɪdəɹɪŋ/
Taking a particular fact into account.
M
S
self
B2
/ˈsɛlf/
the person you really are, including your character and feelings
M
S
beside
B2
/bɪˈsaɪd/
Next to; at the side of.
M
S
multiple
B2
/ˈmʌltɪpəl/
More than one; many.
M
S
amongst
B2
/əˈmɜŋst/
In the middle of or surrounded by; a more formal word for "among".
M
S
somewhat
B2
/ˈsʌmwʌt/
To a small degree; a little, but not completely.
M
S
versus
B2
/ˈvɝsəs/
Against; used to show two sides competing or opposing each other.
M
S
regardless
B2
/ɹɪˈɡɑɹd.lɪs/
In spite of everything; anyway.
M
S
unto
B2
/ˈʌntə/
To (old or formal use, showing who receives something)
M
S
instantly
B2
/ˈɪnstəntli/
Immediately; without any delay.
M
S
whereas
B2
/(h)wɛɹˈæz/
Used to compare two facts and show a contrast between them.
M
S
alongside
B2
/əˌlɔŋˈsaɪd/
Next to and at the side of something or someone.
M
S
concerning
B2
/kənˈsɝnɪŋ/
about; relating to
M
S
midst
B2
/mɪdst/
The middle of a group, place, or situation; surrounded by it.
M
S
particle
B2
/ˈpɑɹtɪkəl/
A very small piece of something.
M
S
adequate
B2
/ˈæd.ə.kwɪt/
enough in amount or good enough for a particular purpose
M
S
imperative
B2
/ɪmˈpɛɹ.ə.tɪv/
Extremely important and necessary; something that must be done.
M
S
lest
B2
/lɛst/
In order to prevent something bad from happening; for fear that.
M
S
ample
B2
/ˈæmpəl/
More than enough; plenty.
M
S
insufficient
B2
/ɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/
Not enough for a particular purpose or need.
M
S
conjunction
B2
/kənˈd͡ʒʌŋk.ʃn̩/
A word such as 'and', 'but', or 'because' that joins words, phrases, or clauses together.
M
S
inanimate
B2
/ɪnˈænɪmeɪt/
Not alive; not a living thing.
M
S
C1 (17) Pro
whatsoever
C1
/ˌ(h)wʌtsoʊˈɛvɚ/
At all; in any way (used to add emphasis, usually after a negative).
M
S
etc
C1
/ˌɛt ˈsɛt(ə)ɹə/
Alternative form of etc..
M
S
whilst
C1
/ʍaɪlst/
During the time that; while (chiefly British and formal).
M
S
adjacent
C1
/əˈd͡ʒeɪ.sənt/
Next to or very close to something.
M
S
amid
C1
/əˈmɪd/
In the middle of; surrounded by.
M
S
subordinate
C1
/səˈbɔɹdɪnət/
Lower in rank, position, or importance than someone or something else.
M
S
albeit
C1
/ɔlˈbi.ət/
Although; even though.
M
S
sans
C1
/sænz/
without a person or thing, often used for concise, humorous, or literary effect
M
S
impersonal
C1
/ɪmˈpɝsənəl/
Cold and unfriendly; not showing warmth or feeling.
M
S
indefinite
C1
/ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪt/
Without a fixed or known end; lasting for an unknown length of time.
M
S
notwithstanding
C1
/ˌnɑtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/
In spite of; despite.
M
S
insofar
C1
/ɪn.soʊˈfɑɹ/
to the degree or extent that; used chiefly in the construction 'insofar as'
M
S
parenthesis
C1
/pəˈrɛnθəsɪs/
a word, phrase, or clause inserted into a sentence as an explanation or aside
M
S
therefor
C1
/ðɛɹˈfɔɹ/
formal, especially legal: for that thing, action, or reason; in return for it
M
S
thereat
C1
/ðɛːɹˈæt/
at that event or moment; as a result of that
M
S
ungrammatical
C1
/ˌʌn.ɡrəˈmæt̬.ɪ.kəl/
not following the accepted grammar rules of a language
M
S
such-and-such
C1
/ˈsʌtʃənˌsʌtʃ/
used to refer vaguely to a person, thing, place, or amount whose exact identity is not specified
M
S
C2 (34) Pro
bout
C2
/ˈbaʊt/
A short period of an illness or of something unpleasant.
M
S
ore
C2
/oɹ/
Rock from which valuable metal or minerals can be extracted.
M
S
nigh
C2
/naɪ/
Near in time or space; close at hand.
M
S
thyself
C2
/ðaɪˈsɛlf/
the reflexive or emphatic form of thou, meaning yourself; archaic or literary
M
S
yon
C2
/jɑn/
that or those over there, at some distance but usually within sight
M
S
owt
C2
/aʊt/
Northern English dialect: anything
M
S
ourself
C2
/ˌaʊɚˈsɛlf/
the reflexive form used with the royal or editorial we, meaning myself
M
S
aforementioned
C2
/əˈfɔɹˌmɛnʃənd/
mentioned earlier in the same text or conversation
M
S
whereof
C2
/wɛrˈʌv/
of which or of whom; now chiefly formal or archaic
M
S
thereto
C2
/ˌðɛɚˈtuː/
to that or to it, chiefly in formal, legal, or literary language
M
S
vis-a-vis
C2
/ˈviːzəvi/
In relation to; compared with.
M
S
whereto
C2
/werˈtuː/
to what place or destination; where to
M
S
suchlike
C2
/ˈsʌtʃˌlaɪk/
of the same or a similar kind
M
S
whereon
C2
/(h)wɛrˈɑn/
on which or on what; now chiefly formal, literary, or archaic
M
S
hereon
C2
/hɪrˈɑn/
on this thing, place, or document
M
S
wherewith
C2
/wɛrˈwɪð/
with which; using the thing just mentioned
M
S
nominative
C2
/ˈnɑː.mə.nə.t̬ɪv/
relating to the grammatical case that typically marks the subject of a finite verb
M
S
therefrom
C2
/ðerˈfrʌm/
from the place, thing, or source just mentioned
M
S
soever
C2
/soʊˈɛvɚ/
In any fashion, of any kind; used for emphasis after words such as how, what, which etc.
M
S
grammarian
C2
/ɡɹəˈmɛɹiən/
a scholar or specialist who studies and describes grammar
M
S
fifthly
C2
in the fifth place
M
S
syntactic
C2
/sɪnˈtæktɪk/
related to syntax or the rules governing how words and symbols are arranged
M
S
proprietorial
C2
Behaving as if one owns something or someone; possessive.
M
S
inflect
C2
/ɪnˈflɛkt/
grammar: to change a word's form to express features such as tense, number, case, or gender
M
S
C2+ (70) Pro
whereupon
C2+
/ˌ(h)wɛrəˈpɑn/
immediately after which or as a consequence of which
M
S
qua
C2+
/kwɑː/
formal: in the capacity or character of; considered specifically as
M
S
leastwise
C2+
/ˈliːstˌwaɪz/
at least; in any case or if nothing else; informal or dialectal
M
S
nobbut
C2+
/ˈnɒbət/
Northern English dialect: only; merely; nothing but
M
S
whichway
C2+
/ˈwɪtʃˌweɪ/
dialectal: where or in which direction
M
S
aught
C2+
/ɔt/
anything at all; the slightest thing
M
S
condemnation
C2+
/ˌkɑndɛmˈneɪʃən/
the expression of strong disapproval or a formal sentence
M
S
atomy
C2+
/ˈætəmi/
a tiny particle or diminutive being; an atom or mote
M
S
apropos
C2+
/ˌæprəˈpoʊ/
relevant to the matter; with reference to
M
S
mid
C2+
/mɪd/
in the middle part of; central
M
S
ex
C2+
/ɛks/
(informal) a former spouse or partner
M
S
sith
C2+
/sɪθ/
archaic word for since or seeing that
M
S
amidst
C2+
/əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
M
S
fromward
C2+
/ˈfrʌmwɚd/
away from; directed away (archaic)
M
S
howso
C2+
/ˈhaʊsoʊ/
in whatever way; however (archaic)
M
S
parole
C2+
/pəˈroʊl/
early conditional release of a prisoner before a sentence ends
M
S
sithe
C2+
/saɪð/
an archaic form of 'since'; also a dialectal variant of scythe
M
S
speck
C2+
/spɛk/
a tiny spot or particle
M
S
afore
C2+
/əˈfɔr/
before, in place or time (archaic or dialectal)
M
S
attainder
C2+
/əˈteɪndɚ/
the legal forfeiture of rights and property following a sentence of death or outlawry
M
S
barring
C2+
/ˈbɑrɪŋ/
except for; apart from the possibility of
M
S
betwixt
C2+
/bɪˈtwɪkst/
between (archaic or literary)
M
S
circa
C2+
/ˈsɚkə/
approximately; used with dates to indicate an estimate
M
S
doomsman
C2+
/ˈdumzmən/
archaic term for a judge or one who pronounces sentence
M
S
More topics
Numbers & Quantity
534 words
Counting, amounts, proportions, and the language of how much.
Space, Position & Direction
1546 words
Where things are, how they are arranged, and which way they face.
Time
752 words
Hours, dates, seasons, frequency, and the words for when things happen.
People & Society
1633 words
People, roles, communities, identity, and social life.
Family & Relationships
244 words
Parents, siblings, partners, friends, and the wider web of kin.
Emotions & Feelings
861 words
Naming the full range of how people feel, from joy to envy.