This list, from The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists by Edward Bernard Fry, et. al., presents the 100 most used words in the English language. These 100 words account for about 50 percent of all written material, and the top 25 make up approximately one-third of all printed material. If kids are familiar with these words, they'll go a long way to becoming better readers.
You also can use this list as a platform for introducing other language topics, such as common sound patterns or synonyms and antonyms. The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists is an excellent resource for educators seeking ideas and material on which to build activities, and we recommend it highly.
| the |
or |
will |
number |
| of |
one |
up |
no |
| and |
had |
other |
way |
| a |
by |
about |
could |
| to |
word |
out |
people |
| in |
but |
many |
my |
| is |
not |
then |
than |
| you |
what |
them |
first |
| that |
all |
these |
water |
| it |
were |
so |
been |
| he |
we |
some |
call |
| was |
when |
her |
who |
| for |
your |
would |
oil |
| on |
can |
make |
its |
| are |
said |
like |
now |
| as |
there |
him |
find |
| with |
use |
into |
long |
| his |
an |
time |
down |
| they |
each |
has |
day |
| I |
which |
look |
did |
| at |
she |
two |
get |
| be |
do |
more |
come |
| this |
how |
write |
made |
| have |
their |
go |
may |
| from |
if |
see |
part |