The 290 words below, are used most often when we write. Together they make up about 75% of most writing, so they are very important. These words have been arranged in alphabetical order and put in lists according to how often they are used. Because these words are used so often, it is very important that we learn to spell each one.
Essential List 1 (10 words – 25% of writing)
|
a |
I |
it |
the |
was |
|
and |
in |
my |
to |
we |
Essential List 2 (20 words – 15% of writing)
|
at |
had |
of |
that |
up |
|
but |
he |
on |
then |
went |
|
for |
is |
she |
there |
when |
|
got |
me |
so |
they |
you |
Essential List 3 (30 words – 10% of writing)
|
about |
be |
go |
into |
our |
|
after |
because |
going |
just |
out |
|
all |
came |
have |
like |
said |
|
are |
day |
her |
mum |
some |
|
as |
down |
his |
not |
were |
|
back |
get |
home |
one |
with |
Essential List 4 (50 words – 10% of writing)
|
again |
do |
next |
people |
time |
|
an |
first |
night |
put |
took |
|
around |
food |
no |
ran |
two |
|
big |
from |
now |
saw |
us |
|
by |
good |
off |
school |
very |
|
can |
has |
old |
see |
well |
|
come |
him |
only |
started |
what |
|
could |
house |
or |
their |
will |
|
dad |
if |
other |
them |
would |
|
did |
little |
over |
this |
your |
Essential List 5 (50 words – 5% of writing)
|
am |
door |
last |
once |
through |
|
another |
everyone |
left |
play |
told |
|
away |
family |
log |
really |
too |
|
bed |
five |
looked |
room |
walked |
|
been |
found |
made |
something |
want |
|
before |
friend |
man |
still |
way |
|
best |
fun |
more |
thing |
where |
|
brother |
heard |
morning |
think |
which |
|
called |
here |
name |
thought |
who |
|
car |
know |
never |
three |
year |
Essential List 6 (70 words – 5% of writing)
|
also |
cool |
eyes |
head |
jump |
|
always |
dark |
fell |
hit |
knew |
|
asked |
decided |
felt |
how |
later |
|
black |
dog |
find |
inside |
life |
|
boy |
eat |
four |
its |
live |
|
bus |
end |
gave |
it’s |
lot |
|
cat |
even |
getting |
I’ll |
lunch |
|
coming |
every |
great |
I’m |
make |
|
minutes |
place |
sister |
top |
water |
|
most |
ready |
sleep |
town |
while |
|
much |
ride |
suddenly |
tree |
why |
|
nice |
right |
take |
turned |
window |
|
opened |
run |
tell |
until |
woke |
|
outside |
say |
ten |
wanted |
yes |
Essential List 7 (60 words – 3% of writing)
| any |
each |
ground |
money |
soon |
|
baby |
ever |
guard |
mother |
stay |
|
bad |
everything |
hand |
myself |
stop |
|
ball |
face |
happened |
new |
swimming |
|
being |
fast |
happy |
parents |
tea |
|
bit |
father |
help |
picked |
than |
|
boat |
few |
hole |
playing |
tried |
|
bought |
finally |
hot |
presents |
under |
|
camp |
finished |
hour |
road |
wait |
|
dead |
game |
let |
side |
won |
|
died |
girl |
look |
small |
why |
|
doing |
gone |
many |
sometimes |
work |
Essential List 8 (Commonly Misspelt Words)
|
allowed |
centre |
dollars |
friends |
lightning |
second |
wasn't |
|
awhile |
chocolate |
don't |
front |
luckily |
someone |
watch |
|
believe |
clothes |
everybody |
grabbed |
nearly |
stopped |
weren't |
|
breakfast |
couldn't |
everyday |
having |
police |
straight |
we're |
|
brought |
didn't |
everywhere |
holidays |
present |
they're |
whole |
|
cannon |
different |
excited |
hopped |
probably |
threw |
won't |
|
can't |
disappeared |
favourite |
hospital |
quiet |
tomorrow |
you're |
|
caught |
doesn't |
field |
instead |
scared |
video |
programme |
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