# Grammar & Function Words

**Type:** Topic
**Words:** 319

## About

Small words that connect, point, compare, negate, and structure sentences.

## Words by Level

### A1
- you — The person or people being spoken to, as the subject of a sentence.; frequency rank 1
- I — The word a speaker or writer uses to refer to themselves as the subject of a sentence.; frequency rank 2
- the — Used before a noun to refer to a specific person or thing already known or mentioned.; frequency rank 3
- to — In the direction of; so as to reach a place.; frequency rank 4
- a — used before a noun to refer to one person or thing that is not specific or not already known; frequency rank 5
- it — Used to refer to a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned; frequency rank 6
- and — Used to join two words, phrases, or sentences that are taken together.; frequency rank 7
- that — Used to introduce a clause stating what someone says, thinks, or believes.; frequency rank 8
- of — Belonging to or connected with someone or something.; frequency rank 9
- is — Third-person singular present tense of be; frequency rank 10
- in — Inside a place, container, or area.; frequency rank 11
- what — Used to ask for information about a thing or situation.; frequency rank 12
- we — Used by a speaker to refer to themselves and one or more other people.; frequency rank 13
- me — The form of 'I' used as the object of a verb or preposition.; frequency rank 14
- this — Referring to a person or thing that is here or nearby.; frequency rank 15
- he — Used to refer to a male person or animal already mentioned or known.; frequency rank 16
- for — Intended to belong to or be given to someone.; frequency rank 17
- my — Belonging to or connected with me.; frequency rank 18
- on — Working, active, or switched to operate.; frequency rank 19
- have — To own or possess something.; frequency rank 20
- your — Belonging to or connected with you.; frequency rank 21
- was — Past tense of "be" used with I, he, she, or it.; frequency rank 23
- no — Used to give a negative answer or to refuse or disagree.; frequency rank 24
- not — Used to make a word or sentence negative.; frequency rank 25
- be — Used to describe or identify someone or something.; frequency rank 26
- are — Present tense form of 'be' used with you, we, and they.; frequency rank 27
- can — To be able to do something.; frequency rank 30
- with — In the company of someone or something.; frequency rank 31
- but — Used to introduce something that contrasts with what has just been said.; frequency rank 32
- all — Every one of a group, with no exceptions.; frequency rank 33
- so — To a very great degree or extent.; frequency rank 34
- they — The people, animals, or things already mentioned.; frequency rank 38
- she — Used to refer to a female person or animal mentioned earlier.; frequency rank 41
- if — Used to say that something will happen or be true only when another thing happens.; frequency rank 43
- about — on the subject of; concerning; frequency rank 46
- at — In or near a particular place.; frequency rank 48
- him — Used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned.; frequency rank 49
- one — The number 1; the smallest counting number.; frequency rank 52
- her — The form of 'she' used as the object of a verb or preposition.; frequency rank 55
- how — In what way or by what means.; frequency rank 56
- will — Used to talk about the future.; frequency rank 58
- as — While; during the time that something happens.; frequency rank 62
- did — Past tense of 'do'; used to talk about an action that already happened.; frequency rank 64
- who — Used to ask about the identity of a person or people.; frequency rank 66
- why — For what reason or purpose.; frequency rank 67
- from — Used to show where someone or something comes from.; frequency rank 68
- his — Belonging to or connected with a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned.; frequency rank 70
- yes — Used to show agreement or to give a positive answer.; frequency rank 71
- when — At what time.; frequency rank 72
- an — The form of "a" used before words that begin with a vowel sound; refers to one person or thing not already mentioned.; frequency rank 75
- us — The object form of 'we'; the speaker together with one or more other people.; frequency rank 79
- would — Used to talk about the result of an imagined or unlikely situation.; frequency rank 80
- them — Used to refer to people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition.; frequency rank 81
- where — In, at, or to what place.; frequency rank 82
- were — Past tense of 'be' used with you, we, and they.; frequency rank 83
- then — At that time; in the past or future being talked about.; frequency rank 85
- had — Past tense and past participle of "have".; frequency rank 86
- or — Used to link alternatives, only one of which need apply.; frequency rank 87
- our — Belonging to or connected with us.; frequency rank 89
- some — An unspecified amount of something you cannot count.; frequency rank 94
- could — Was able to (past form of 'can').; frequency rank 97
- by — Used to show who or what does or causes something.; frequency rank 99
- something — A thing that is not named or not known exactly.; frequency rank 101
- has — Third-person singular present of 'have'; to own, hold, or possess.; frequency rank 102
- more — A larger number or amount of something.; frequency rank 104
- over — Finished; ended.; frequency rank 112
- because — For the reason that; used to explain why something happens.; frequency rank 113
- should — Used to say what is the right or sensible thing to do.; frequency rank 117
- am — First-person singular present of "be".; frequency rank 123
- any — Some amount or number of, used in questions and negatives.; frequency rank 125
- much — A large amount of something.; frequency rank 128
- these — Plural of this; referring to people or things nearby.; frequency rank 132
- into — Moving to the inside of a place or thing.; frequency rank 135
- anything — A thing of any kind; it does not matter what.; frequency rank 136
- nothing — Not anything; no thing.; frequency rank 140
- their — Belonging to or relating to them.; frequency rank 145
- must — Used to say that something is necessary or required.; frequency rank 149
- before — Earlier than a particular time.; frequency rank 150
- other — Not the same as the one already mentioned; different.; frequency rank 151
- after — Later in time than; following.; frequency rank 155
- than — Used to compare two things or people.; frequency rank 159
- those — The plural of 'that'; used to point to people or things that are further away or already known.; frequency rank 165
- everything — All the things there are, or all the things being talked about.; frequency rank 168
- does — Third-person singular present of "do".; frequency rank 177
- around — Surrounding or on every side of something.; frequency rank 179
- which — Used to ask about a particular one or ones from a known group.; frequency rank 191
- someone — A person who is not named or known; somebody.; frequency rank 199
- every — All the members of a group, considered one by one with no exceptions.; frequency rank 206
- through — From one side or end of something to the other.; frequency rank 208
- May — Used to ask for or give permission.; frequency rank 217
- another — One more of the same kind, in addition to what you already have.; frequency rank 226
- own — To have something as your property; to legally possess it.; frequency rank 231
- same — Not different; exactly alike or identical.; frequency rank 232
- else — Other; in addition to or different from what has already been mentioned.; frequency rank 234
- many — A large number of (people or things you can count).; frequency rank 249
- yourself — Your own self; used when you are both the subject and the object of an action.; frequency rank 260
- most — Nearly all of a group; more than half.; frequency rank 271
- both — The two together; the one and the other.; frequency rank 278
- also — In addition; as well; too.; frequency rank 293
- everyone — Every person; all people.; frequency rank 313
- anyone — Any person; it does not matter who.; frequency rank 336
- until — Up to a particular time; frequency rank 340
- each — Every one of two or more things or people, considered separately.; frequency rank 353
- under — In or to a lower position; below.; frequency rank 377
- everybody — Every person; all people.; frequency rank 383
- its — Belonging to or relating to a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned; frequency rank 393
- between — In the space or time that separates two things.; frequency rank 460
- behind — At or toward the back of someone or something.; frequency rank 466
- choose — To pick one thing or person from a number of possibilities.; frequency rank 1138
- above — in or to a higher place than something; frequency rank 1259
- below — In or to a lower position than something.; frequency rank 2144
- sentence — A group of words that expresses a complete thought, usually starting with a capital letter and ending with a full stop.; frequency rank 2482
- a.m.
- may

### A2
- been — Past participle of be.; frequency rank 88
- done — Finished or completed.; frequency rank 194
- being — A living creature.; frequency rank 209
- might — Used to say that something is possible but not certain.; frequency rank 222
- next — Coming immediately after the current one in order or time.; frequency rank 238
- without — Not having or not using something.; frequency rank 265
- such — Of this or that kind; like the one mentioned.; frequency rank 290
- yet — Up to now; used to say something has not happened so far.; frequency rank 298
- while — During the time that; at the same time as.; frequency rank 303
- since — From a point in the past until now.; frequency rank 304
- ah — An exclamation used to show feelings such as understanding, relief, surprise, or wonder.; frequency rank 317
- myself — Used as the object of a verb or preposition when the speaker is also the subject.; frequency rank 319
- um — a sound used while hesitating, thinking, or searching for words; frequency rank 322
- few — A small number of; not many.; frequency rank 331
- whatever — Anything or everything that.; frequency rank 394
- somebody — A person who is not named or known; someone.; frequency rank 412
- mine — The thing or things belonging to me.; frequency rank 413
- against — Touching or leaning on something for support.; frequency rank 427
- shall — Used with I or we to talk about the future.; frequency rank 432
- least — To the smallest degree or amount.; frequency rank 436
- nobody — No person; not anyone.; frequency rank 449
- though — Used to introduce a fact that makes the main statement surprising; even if; although.; frequency rank 455
- yours — The thing or things belonging to you.; frequency rank 488
- either — One or the other of two things or people.; frequency rank 497
- along — Following the length or line of something.; frequency rank 522
- anybody — Any person; it does not matter who.; frequency rank 566
- himself — Used when the man or boy doing an action is also affected by it.; frequency rank 574
- till — Up to the time of; until.; frequency rank 623
- less — To a smaller degree; not as much.; frequency rank 651
- given — Considering or taking into account.; frequency rank 663
- none — Not any of a group of people or things; not one.; frequency rank 707
- during — All through a period of time, from its start to its end.; frequency rank 743
- except — Not including; apart from.; frequency rank 799
- across — from one side of something to the other; frequency rank 806
- anywhere — In, at, or to any place.; frequency rank 821
- within — Before a particular period of time ends.; frequency rank 950
- neither — Not the one and not the other of two things or people.; frequency rank 998
- besides — In addition; as well.; frequency rank 1001
- whose — Belonging to which person; used to ask who something belongs to.; frequency rank 1050
- immediately — Right away, without any delay.; frequency rank 1079
- upon — On; resting on the surface of something (a more formal word than 'on').; frequency rank 1086
- er — a sound used while hesitating or searching for words; frequency rank 1103
- themselves — Used to show that the people or things doing an action are also affected by it, or for emphasis.; frequency rank 1139
- herself — Used when the woman or girl doing an action is also affected by it.; frequency rank 1185
- ourselves — Us, when we are both the subject and the object of an action.; frequency rank 1190
- itself — Used as the object when the same thing is also the subject of the sentence; frequency rank 1288
- following — Coming next in time or order.; frequency rank 1293
- whom — Used instead of 'who' as the object of a verb or preposition to ask which person.; frequency rank 1335
- plenty — A large amount that is more than enough.; frequency rank 1357
- although — In spite of the fact that; even though.; frequency rank 1388
- several — More than two but not very many.; frequency rank 1413
- beyond — On the far side of; further away than.; frequency rank 1439
- plus — Added to; with the addition of.; frequency rank 1477
- among — In the middle of and surrounded by other people or things.; frequency rank 1481
- toward — In the direction of someone or something.; frequency rank 3014
- unlike — Different from someone or something.; frequency rank 3319
- hers — The one or ones belonging to her, used without a noun after it.; frequency rank 3458
- theirs — The one or ones belonging to them; used without a noun after it.; frequency rank 5451
- IT
- next to
- out of

### B1
- unless — Except if; used to say something will happen if a condition is not met.; frequency rank 774
- buddy — A friend; frequency rank 811
- whether — Used to introduce a choice or doubt between two or more possibilities.; frequency rank 904
- yo — informal: a greeting or call used to attract someone's attention; frequency rank 1106
- according — according to: as stated, reported, or believed by a particular person or source; frequency rank 1210
- whoever — Any person that; the person that.; frequency rank 1376
- nor — And not; used after "neither" or another negative to add a second negative idea.; frequency rank 1429
- ought — Used to say that something is the right or sensible thing to do.; frequency rank 1447
- onto — To a position on top of or on the surface of something.; frequency rank 1566
- ours — The thing or things that belong to us.; frequency rank 1659
- whenever — At any time that; on any occasion that.; frequency rank 1687
- including — Used to mention one or more members of a larger group just named.; frequency rank 1934
- per — For each.; frequency rank 2031
- wherever — In, at, or to any place that.; frequency rank 2087
- despite — Without being affected or stopped by something; in spite of.; frequency rank 2557
- throughout — In every part of a place.; frequency rank 3012
- underneath — Directly below or under something.; frequency rank 3163
- forth — Forward in place, time, or order.; frequency rank 3256
- beneath — Under or below something.; frequency rank 3508
- provided — Only if a particular condition is met.; frequency rank 4101
- various — Several different; more than one of various kinds.; frequency rank 4115
- regarding — About; concerning a particular subject.; frequency rank 4257
- fur — The soft, thick hair that covers many animals.; frequency rank 5401
- via — By way of; passing through a place.; frequency rank 5564
- minus — Made smaller by taking away a number; less.; frequency rank 5575
- thorough — Careful and complete, leaving nothing out.; frequency rank 7298
- sufficient — As much as is needed; enough.; frequency rank 7339
- countless — Too many to be counted; very many.; frequency rank 7951
- numerous — Existing in large numbers; very many.; frequency rank 8246
- absent — not in a place where you are expected to be; frequency rank 8469
- whichever — Any one or ones that; used to say it does not matter which is chosen.; frequency rank 10179
- oneself — A person's own self; the reflexive form used with the general pronoun 'one'.; frequency rank 10940
- clause — A group of words containing a subject and a verb, which may be a whole sentence or part of one.; frequency rank 11839
- anti — Opposed to something, such as an action, idea, or policy.; frequency rank 19433
- lessen — To make something smaller or weaker; to reduce.; frequency rank 24642
- doze — To sleep lightly or for a short time.; frequency rank 28981
- modal verb — A helping verb such as 'can', 'must', or 'will' that shows ability, possibility, permission, or obligation.; frequency rank 135117
- according to
- because of
- definite article
- full stop
- indefinite article
- instead of
- ought to
- phrasal verb
- used to

### B2
- times — A particular period in history or in someone's life.; frequency rank 401
- em — an informal, usually unstressed form of them, commonly written ’em; frequency rank 533
- considering — Taking a particular fact into account.; frequency rank 2893
- beside — Next to; at the side of.; frequency rank 3296
- multiple — More than one; many.; frequency rank 3948
- amongst — In the middle of or surrounded by; a more formal word for "among".; frequency rank 4198
- somewhat — To a small degree; a little, but not completely.; frequency rank 4982
- versus — Against; used to show two sides competing or opposing each other.; frequency rank 5587
- regardless — In spite of everything; anyway.; frequency rank 6091
- unto — To (old or formal use, showing who receives something); frequency rank 6426
- instantly — Immediately; without any delay.; frequency rank 6552
- whereas — Used to compare two facts and show a contrast between them.; frequency rank 6627
- alongside — Next to and at the side of something or someone.; frequency rank 7220
- concerning — about; relating to; frequency rank 7535
- particle — A very small piece of something.; frequency rank 9745
- adequate — enough in amount or good enough for a particular purpose; frequency rank 12721
- lest — In order to prevent something bad from happening; for fear that.; frequency rank 12925
- ample — More than enough; plenty.; frequency rank 15561
- insufficient — Not enough for a particular purpose or need.; frequency rank 16321
- atop — on or at the top of something; frequency rank 20961
- predicate — In grammar, the part of a sentence or clause that says something about the subject, usually containing the verb.; frequency rank 75189
- exclamation mark
- inverted commas
- owing to

### C1
- whatsoever — At all; in any way (used to add emphasis, usually after a negative).; frequency rank 5694
- whilst — During the time that; while (chiefly British and formal).; frequency rank 7896
- adjacent — Next to or very close to something.; frequency rank 17828
- amid — In the middle of; surrounded by.; frequency rank 19280
- albeit — Although; even though.; frequency rank 22226
- sans — without a person or thing, often used for concise, humorous, or literary effect; frequency rank 23720
- notwithstanding — In spite of; despite.; frequency rank 31190
- such-and-such — used to refer vaguely to a person, thing, place, or amount whose exact identity is not specified

### C2
- yah — a dialect or eye-dialect spelling of you; frequency rank 6940
- yer — nonstandard pronunciation spelling of your; frequency rank 9645
- nigh — Near in time or space; close at hand.; frequency rank 19111
- thyself — the reflexive or emphatic form of thou, meaning yourself; archaic or literary; frequency rank 20313
- yon — that or those over there, at some distance but usually within sight; frequency rank 20879
- lor — a sentence-final particle in Singapore and Malaysian English that emphasizes an obvious conclusion, resignation, or inevitability; frequency rank 21395
- summat — something, in nonstandard Northern and Midlands English; frequency rank 21600
- ut — music: the original solfege name for the first note of a major scale, now usually called do; frequency rank 21859
- owt — Northern English dialect: anything; frequency rank 24993
- ourself — the reflexive form used with the royal or editorial we, meaning myself; frequency rank 31075
- astride — with one leg on each side of something; frequency rank 40760
- nary — informal or dialectal: not a single; not any, used before a singular count noun; frequency rank 41122
- whereof — of which or of whom; now chiefly formal or archaic; frequency rank 47148
- vis-a-vis — In relation to; compared with.; frequency rank 53553
- suchlike — of the same or a similar kind; frequency rank 69725
- whereon — on which or on what; now chiefly formal, literary, or archaic; frequency rank 73740
- agin — a dialect spelling of again; frequency rank 79562
- whoso — archaic: whoever; whatever person; frequency rank 131665
- athwart — from one side of something to the other; across, often at an oblique angle; frequency rank 143831
- whereat — at which place or thing; at what, in formal or archaic use; frequency rank 248682
- abaft — at, near, or toward the stern of a ship; frequency rank 250595
- astraddle — dated or regional: with one leg on each side of something; astride; frequency rank 316905
- agean — dialectal pronunciation spelling of again; frequency rank 880935
- e.g. — written abbreviation of Latin exempli gratia, used to introduce one or more examples
- i.e. — written abbreviation of Latin id est, used to restate or explain exactly what is meant

### C2+
- whereupon — immediately after which or as a consequence of which; frequency rank 42321
- qua — formal: in the capacity or character of; considered specifically as; frequency rank 43119
- afront — archaic or dialectal: in front or face to face; frequency rank 410043
- anigh — archaic or dialectal: near or close by; frequency rank 1176795
- anent — concerning or with regard to; used chiefly in Scots and formal or archaic writing; frequency rank 1261854
- aught — anything at all; the slightest thing
- apropos — relevant to the matter; with reference to
- mid — in the middle part of; central
- sith — archaic word for since or seeing that
- amidst — in the middle of; surrounded by
- fromward — away from; directed away (archaic)
- howso — in whatever way; however (archaic)
- sithe — an archaic form of 'since'; also a dialectal variant of scythe
- afore — before, in place or time (archaic or dialectal)
- barring — except for; apart from the possibility of
- betwixt — between (archaic or literary)
- circa — approximately; used with dates to indicate an estimate
- ere — before (in time)
- howbeit — nevertheless; be that as it may
- howsoever — in whatever way or to whatever degree
- outwith — outside of or beyond (chiefly Scots usage)
- pending — awaiting decision or settlement; until
- sithence — archaic word meaning since, afterward, or because
- whence — from what place or source
- forasmuch — in view of the fact that; seeing that (used with 'as')
- forthy — therefore; for that reason (archaic)
- mah — (dialect/informal) variant of 'my' or 'ma'
- naught — nothing; zero
- providing — on the condition that; provided that
- thee — archaic objective form of thou, meaning you (singular)
- thou — archaic second-person singular pronoun meaning you
- whichsoever — whichever; any one or ones, no matter which
- whiles — while; during the time that (archaic or dialectal)
- whomever — the objective form of whoever; any person whom
- ye — you (archaic plural or formal), or an old form of the
- yee — an exclamation of excitement, or a dialectal form of you/ye
- yonder — at or in that place over there; at a distance within sight
- nuther — dialectal: either or neither, especially after a negative statement
- ther — eye dialect: there
- againwards — toward; in the direction facing a person or place, in archaic or northern dialect use
- anear — chiefly dialectal: near or close to