Core words or core vocabulary refers to the language that we use most frequently in our day-to-day communication.
If you think about all of the vocabulary we have stored in the language cortex of our brain, core words make up a teeny tiny portion of our adult lexicon. However, core words account for approximately 60 — 80% of the words that we say every day! Core words can include many types of language (e.g., pronouns, prepositions, adjectives, verbs, etc.) but limited use of nouns. Usually, each typical individual’s repertoire of core words is only about 200 total words and can generally differ between individuals. However, in many cases, the majority of core words that one person uses is very similar to that of another person. Like the word “I” for example — you know we all say that a lot! Some other common core word examples are included below:
Why do we use core words more than other words?
Well, core words are usually flexible and conceptual; implying that the meaning of the word is relevant across multiple contexts. For all of the caregivers, SLPs, and educators out there, that also means that this presents more teaching opportunities for your emerging language learner (don’t you worry, we will talk more about this later).
Take the core word “go” for example: think about how many opportunities you have to say “go” each day (e.g., “I need to go to the grocery store today”, “Are you going to the after school event?”). These days, our phrases sound a little more like, “I want to go on trips again!” or “Where can we go that’s not too crowded?” or “I have to go take a shower (?)” … Even though many of us may not be going many places these days, the word “go” remains very relevant across many (ever changing) situations and contexts.
A fringe word or fringe vocabulary refers to what we call the other, non-core words. It accounts for approximately 20 — 40% of the words we say every day. Fringe words are typically more noun-based and specific to the individual. Like, “sailboat” or “watermelon.” Yeah, you are going to say those words every once in a while, but the frequency and context for which you can use these words is much lower. If there was a running word list of one’s vocabulary, the word “go” would likely be MUCH more frequently occurring than “sailboat.” A word like “sailboat” is only used within a few contexts, whereas “go” or “I” can be used across many different contexts.
If you would like to learn more about core vs. fringe words, the YouTube channel Language During Mealtime provides an informative short with examples and visuals (see below)!
Why are core words important for AAC users?
More and more research has suggested that core words should be taught to individuals with complex communication needs (CCN). This also supports why many augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and software utilize this approach. The AAC communication software Proloquo2go, for example, contains vocabulary templates that primarily focus on core words and core word development.
As you can see, core words take up a good portion of the buttons on this home page, which makes sense considering these words can be used frequently across the most contexts. Core word focus using AAC systems allow users to have access to more flexible language that can be used and combined in a variety of ways. Many self-advocacy words/phrases and similar language are also incorporated into core word instruction (e.g., “help” , “I want”). As AAC users acquire more core vocabulary, they can learn to string words together with other core or fringe words (e.g., “I need help” ; “I want to go outside”). Yay for morphosyntax development and grammatical structure!
If too many pre-programmed phrases (e.g., “I want to play with the race car”) take up the majority of the single buttons on an AAC device, this can limit an individual’s access to learning grammar and sentence structure. In this case, one may rely too heavily on scripts and the single applicable context in which they can use the phrase. So, it is interpreted as more cause and effect (I can press this button and I get my car!) and void of actual meaning (“I want” is a carrier phrase for access to all of the things/people/places I enjoy!). It is not to say that preprogrammed phrases serve no purpose on AAC devices. They can actually be quite helpful and increase efficiency navigating and relaying a message! But maybe think about programming this button once the individual has developed independence communicating the message using a multitude of buttons.
Now that we have discussed and provided some core word examples, we would love to hear what core words you have found to be most apparent in your vocabulary (comment below)! Is it similar to other individuals with whom you communicate on a daily basis? What about your child or the students you treat?
If you are working with a core word and/or AAC learner, try to single-out one core word, like “drink” or “eat.” Track how many opportunities you have to model that word within a natural context. Even further, track how many opportunities you have to combine that core word with other words.
Let’s build more language with core words, together!
Citations/further resources:
https://www.aacandautism.com/assets/uploads/Core_Word_of_the_Week.pdf
Core Vocabulary and the AAC Performance Report
http://corevocabulary.weebly.com/
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/37627255/core-and-fringe-vocabulary.pdf
Why is it taking so long to learn English?
Do you remember when you started learning English? It was so easy and fun! You learned so many new words. It was easy to learn words like dog and house and cheese. Before you knew it, you could form a sentence. One day you realized you could have a basic conversation with someone in English. That was exciting!
Then, something happened, and you’re not quite sure what. It’s taking more and more time now just to make small improvements. When you read something, you still have to look up many words in the dictionary. You learn lots of new words but you can’t remember them all and when you want to explain your opinion, you can’t find the right words to use. You can’t express yourself as clearly as you would like to, or as clearly as you can in your native language (the first language you learned to speak and are fluent in, and the language you use every day).
It seems to be taking a long time to learn English.
Here’s why:
This is a chart from Oxford Dictionaries website. The Oxford English Corpus (OEC) is a collection of texts (books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, emails, speeches etc.) that shows how the English language is used in real situations. It has information on all the words native English speakers use in speaking and writing. The people who put together the Oxford Dictionaries examined the OEC to see how many words native speakers actually use. In this chart, a lemma is the base form of a word; for example the lemma climb includes the different word forms climbs, climbing, and climbed.
According to this chart, you only need to know 10 words to understand 25% of everything native speakers say and write. You need to know 100 words to understand 50% of everything native speakers say and write, and 1000 words to understand 75% of all the words used in common, everyday English. That’s why it was so easy to get to the intermediate level.
Congratulations! You already know at least 75% of what native speakers say and write!
Now look at the 90% level. This is the most important part of the chart. Native speakers use just 7000 words for 90% of everything they say and write!
To move from the intermediate level to the advanced or fluent level, you need to learn 6000 more words. That’s why it seems to be taking so long!
Of course, there are more than 7000 words used in English. It’s impossible to count all the words in the entire language, and new words are added all the time. Here’s how the Oxford English Dictionary explains English:
English consists of a small number of very common words, a larger number of intermediate ones, and then an indefinitely long ‘tail’ of very rare terms.
You don’t need to know all 1 million+ words in the English language. I am a native speaker, and I don’t know all 1 million+ words in English.
In the chart above from Oxford Dictionaries, I know all the words like at the 90% level. I can use all those words in a sentence. At the 95% level, I can understand the words saboteur, autocracy, and conformist. I have probably read them in a book at some point in my life, but I don’t use them in my everyday conversation. In fact, I don’t think I have EVER used those words in conversation!. At the 99% level, I have no idea what those words mean. I have never seen those words before, and I’m confident I don’t need to know them.
Not all English words are equal. Learn the right words.
Those 7000 words are the key to speaking English well. Those 7000 words are the core vocabulary of English. They are the most common words used in English. You need to know those words AND be able to use those words.
The less common words are important, but they are mostly for reference. You need to know them to understand what you’re reading or listening to, but you probably don’t need to use them in your everyday conversations.
You need to spend more time learning the 7000 core vocabulary words, and less time worrying about advanced, rare words. [Click to tweet this!]
How do I learn all 7000 core vocabulary words?
There is no list of all 7000 words, but there are resources on the internet that can help you identify core vocabulary words.
Oxford Dictionaries has a list of what it has identified as the 3000 most common words used in English. Oxford calls these words keywords. When you see or hear a new word, you can check this list and see if the word is on this list. When you look up a word in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary (choose “American English”), you will see a key symbol identifying the word as one of the 3000 most common words on Oxford’s list.
Oxford Dictionaries also has an excellent resource called the Text Checker. You can copy and paste any text into the box, and click on “Check Text.” It will tell if you any words in your text are not on the keyword list.
Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary also has a list of the 3000 most common words in English. Merriam-Webster calls these words core vocabulary. When you see or hear a new word, you can check this list and see if the word is on this list. There is no symbol in the listing that will tell you if it is a core vocabulary word. However, the Learner’s Dictionary has a great feature where you can save a word by clicking on the red star. You can return later to see your own list of words and study them. You need to set up an account with the Learner’s Dictionary to do this. (The Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary focuses on American English.)
The Macmillan Online Dictionary has the best resource for identifying core vocabulary words. Macmillan has identified the 7500 most common words in English and calls this group of words core vocabulary. Macmillan does not publish a list of words in this group, but it has an excellent way of identifying core vocabulary words. When you look up a word in the Macmillan online dictionary, the word will either be red or black. If the word is black, it is not a core vocabulary word. It is just a reference word. If the word is red, however, it is a core vocabulary word. Further, Macmillan has a star system to identify how common the word is.
You can see that there are 3 red stars *** after the word opinion. This means that opinion is one of the 2500 most frequently used words in English. You need to know these words, you need to understand these words, and you need to be able to use them in conversation. Two red stars ** means that the word is one of the next 2500 most common words. Two-star words are part of the core vocabulary, but they are not as frequently used as the 3-star words. One red star * means that the word is one of the next 2500 most common words.
The Macmillan dictionary has very comprehensive entries for red words. You can see in the above listing for opinion, there is a long list of collocations, phrases, and sentence structures that go with the word. (NOTE: The Macmillan dictionary has both British or American definitions. At the bottom of the entry, you can change to the British or American definition.)
In the Oxford Dictionaries chart at the start of this article, the word the calyx appears at the 95% level. This is a black word in the Macmillan dictionary, so it’s not part of the core vocabulary. Also, it says biology, so I know that this is a word used in science, not in everyday conversation.
Don’t panic. Don’t get discouraged. Be excited!
Throughout this website and my listening lessons, I use the term core vocabulary to mean that 7000 words that Oxford Dictionaries identified as 90% of everything native speakers say and write. I check the words in all three dictionaries.
This entire post was written using core vocabulary. The only words in this entire article that are not core vocabulary are:
- calyx (and I only used that word as an example of reference vocabulary)
- blog, download, podcast (these words are still fairly new and are becoming common, everyday words)
- indefinitely (used in a quote from another blog)
- keyword (the name of Oxford Dictionaries’ list of common words)
Did you notice that there were a few words in this article in purple? Those words may seem like difficult or advanced words, but they are part of core vocabulary and you need to know those words, too!
Seeing or hearing a new word does not mean there is a problem with your English. It does not mean that your English is worse than you thought it was. It’s just another opportunity to improve your English.
Some of my students get angry at themselves when they don’t know a word or can’t remember a word. They think that seeing or hearing a new word means they have failed and they have not yet mastered English.
You will be learning new English words for the rest of your life. Read that sentence again. Even native speakers are always learning new words, so don’t get angry with yourself because you don’t know every word in the English language. You will never know every word in the English language. I don’t know every word in the English language!
Be excited when you see a new word! You are one word closer to being fluent and sounding like a native speaker!
Listen to the English Teacher Melanie Podcast
I created this podcast for you. The purpose of this podcast is to help you learn, understand, and remember core vocabulary.
The English Teacher Melanie podcast is a series of listening lessons. Each listening lesson includes a story. I write each story using core vocabulary. Each story is about something that happened in my daily life in Canada. It is easier to remember new words when you can connect the word to a real event.
Pace Yourself
Remember, not only do you need to know a word, you need to be able to use a word in a sentence and in conversation. If you try to learn too many words in one day, you’ll forget more than you’ll remember. One to five words a day is a good pace to improve your vocabulary. There is no time limit for learning English! You don’t have to learn every word as fast as possible.
Some words may have multiple definitions. Learn the definition in the context of where you heard/saw the word. Don’t try to memorize every single meaning of the word all at the same time.
Learning English is not a race!
What do you think? Are you ready to focus on core vocabulary? How can you add core vocabulary to your daily studies?
(Please note: this article has been rewritten since it was first published in 2012. I have updated the information on how to identify core vocabulary words.)
When you hear the word «vocabulary,» you might think of a baby learning new words and improving their communication skills. Indeed, child language development is largely concerned with vocabulary growth.
However, vocabulary is not only an important aspect of communication for infants; older children, teenagers, and adults can also improve their communication and expression skills by enhancing their vocabulary.
People of all ages can increase their vocabulary to improve their communication
We’ll be focusing on English vocabulary, looking at English vocabulary word examples, more advanced vocabulary choices for commonly used words, and some methods for improving one’s vocabulary.
Use of Vocabulary in English
Before we look at some commonly used vocabulary words, let’s check out a quick definition for the word vocabulary:
Vocabulary refers to the words that make up a language. Each language and dialect has its own vocabulary.
In the English language, there are approximately 171,150 words currently in use. The average English-speaking adult will have between 20,000 – 35,000 words in their vocabulary, and between 200 and 400 of these will be core words.
Core words are the words that make up the majority of language-based communication. Some examples of core words in the English vocabulary include «I», «go», «on», «that», «come», «more», «mine», and «stop».
English Vocabulary Words
In the English language, there are many words we use far more than others, perhaps without even realizing it. These words include articles («a», «an», and «the») and conjunctions («and», «for», «but», and «so»). For the sake of this article, however, let’s look at some examples of commonly used nouns, verbs, and adjectives in English.
| Nouns | Verbs | Adjectives |
| Time | Run | Nice |
| Food | Eat | Good |
| Person/ People | Love | Bad |
| Friend | Sleep | Important |
| World | Make | Small |
| Family | Think | Fast |
| Hand | Feel | Old |
| Problem | Know | Young |
| Group | Work | Different |
| Fact | Say | Scary |
English Vocabulary Advanced
In the above section, we saw some examples of commonly used English vocabulary words, but if we want to elevate our language use and extend our vocabulary, there are some alternatives we can use.
These «alternatives», or words that mean the same thing as each other, are called synonyms.
Understanding the meaning of words can help us to identify appropriate synonyms.
Using more interesting synonyms for common words is an excellent way to improve the nuance of our expression. Here are some more advanced synonyms for some of the examples used in the section above:
|
Nouns |
Verbs |
Adjectives |
|
Problem – Issue |
Run – Sprint |
Nice – Fantastic |
|
Friend – Companion |
Love – Adore |
Fast – Swift |
|
Time – Era |
Work – Toil |
Old – Ancient |
|
World – Globe |
Sleep – Slumber |
Important – Crucial |
|
Fact – Certitude |
Make – Create |
Scary – Terrifying |
Can you think of any other alternatives for these words? Which ones do you think sound more appealing? It is also worth noting that not all synonyms for words will fit in all contexts. For example, if someone asked you what the time was, it wouldn’t make sense for them to say, «What’s the era?». However, if they wanted to know about the beginning of a significant period of time, they could say something like, «When did the era of Christianity begin?»
English Vocabulary History
There are several key periods of the evolution of English, including Old English, Middle English, and Modern English. New English words can also enter our vocabulary in several ways, including through slang and loanwords from other languages.
English vocabulary also evolves as new meanings for existing words and phrases develop through the use of:
Academic English:
Academic English is the type of English we use to report on or discuss academic topics and is usually aimed at academic audiences (such as lecturers and students).
Academic English consists of vocabulary including cohesive devices (therefore, moreover, furthermore), reporting verbs (suggested, proposed, illustrates), and action verbs (analyze, investigate, interpret), amongst other subject-specific and research-based words.
Idioms:
An idiom is a phrase that typically has figurative meanings, often unrelated to the words they consist of.
e.g., «She was over the moon!» This simply means that she was really happy and has nothing to do with the actual moon.
Proverbs:
A proverb is a short, punchy saying that imparts a well-known truth or piece of advice.
e.g., «Honesty is the best policy.»
Old English Vocabulary
The general English vocabulary is always changing. New words are continually being added to the dictionary and people’s language use. The words we commonly use now are not the same as the ones used in the past. To illustrate this, here are some examples of Old English vocabulary words that would have been used between the 5th and 11th centuries:
| Old English Words | Meaning |
| Erstwhile | Relating to a time in the past |
| Hither | Here; this place |
| Pannikin | A small pan |
| Wight | A human; a person |
| Stalwart | Physically strong |
| Oft | Often; frequently |
Middle English
Just as Old English had its own vocabulary, so too did Middle English. Middle English was spoken between the 12th and 15th centuries. These are some common examples of Middle English vocabulary:
| Middle English Words | Meaning |
| Anon | At once |
| Everich | Every |
| Lite | Little; small in stature |
| Shaltow | You shall; you will |
| Echo | Each one |
| Unnethe | Scarcely; uncommonly |
Modern English
This is the kind of English we’re familiar with and use today. Modern English is always growing, and the words that continually enter Modern English also alter and expand upon our vocabulary. There are several key ways that words come into the Modern English vocabulary:
Slang
Slang is a significant source of new words in English, and as slang words become more widely used, they sometimes enter the dictionary.
For example, some new words that have only entered the dictionary in recent years and have become widely used include:
- selfie – a photo of oneself, taken by oneself
- unfriend – to remove someone as a contact on social media
- troll – to harass or make fun of someone on the internet
- flex – to boast or brag about something
Loanwords
Did you know that over 70% of English words come from other languages? Some of the most common contributors to English are Greek, Latin, and French, and a lot of English comprises loanwords, roots, and affixes from these languages.
Loanword — A word assimilated into one language from another with little to no alteration.
Here are some examples of loanwords from other languages:
| Latin | Greek | French |
| Agenda | Acrobat | Cafe |
| Butter | Democracy | Habit |
| Juvenile | Comedy | Déjà-vu |
| Imaginary | Galaxy | Toilet |
| Post Mortem | Marathon | Grand Prix |
English Vocabulary Examples
There are four key subsets to consider when looking at English vocabulary examples. These four types of vocabulary are: writing, speaking, reading, and listening. These four vocabulary types can be divided into active and passive vocabulary.
Active vocabulary refers to the words that a person uses themselves.
Passive vocabulary refers to the words that a person understands but might not use.
We’ll look at each of the four types of vocabulary in turn:
Writing
The act of writing can be a combination of active and passive vocabulary, as we sometimes write words that we might not use in spoken conversation. For example, if we are writing a research paper on a complex scientific topic, we are likely to use highly specialized and scientific words in the paper that we wouldn’t usually use in our day-to-day speech.
«Biotechnology,» «variances,» and «dissemination» might be words that you’d use in a research paper but probably aren’t words that you actively use when speaking (unless, of course, you’re a scientist or researcher).
In more general writing tasks, such as emailing a friend or writing a shopping list, we tend to use our active vocabulary more.
Writing is a form of active and passive vocabulary.
Speaking
Speaking is usually based on active vocabulary. This is because when we talk, we talk about things we know. The words we use in speech are the ones we understand.
In a conversation with a friend, we might talk about work, school, hobbies, and our families. These words are part of our active vocabulary because we use them all the time.
There are some exceptions (as always!), and occasionally, we might use passive vocabulary in speech. Situations such as this include:
-
Asking questions or obtaining clarification – «What does accrual mean?»
-
Discussing complex or unusual topics – «I watched a documentary about wormholes the other day.»
Reading
When we read, the words we encounter may be part of our active and passive vocabularies. This is because we understand most of what we read but might come across a word here or there that we don’t know the meaning of. If we can ‘decipher’ the meaning of unknown words based on context, they become part of our passive vocabulary. As our understanding of these new words improves, they might become part of our active vocabulary if we begin using them ourselves.
Listening
Listening falls mostly under the active vocabulary umbrella as we are likely to understand and use most of the words we hear in conversation. If someone says a word we understand, but don’t use in our own speech, then this word is part of our passive vocabulary.
James: «I went to the store the other day and bought some things to make lasagne, but when I got to the cashier, I realized I didn’t have my wallet.»
As you’re listening to James speak, you’ll understand these words, and they are probably words that you use yourself quite regularly, making them active vocabulary words. If James had said a word you don’t use but still understood, this would be a passive vocabulary word.
English Vocabulary Improvement
To wrap up, we’ll look at some methods of English vocabulary improvement. Enhancing your vocabulary is a great way to become a more effective communicator, and it will also help you to understand different concepts more easily. Here are some strategies you can use to increase your vocabulary:
-
Read widely. Not only is it important to read often, but reading a wide range of different materials can introduce you to new words and help to improve your understanding of different subjects. Aim to read a variety of fictional and non-fictional materials across a range of forms (such as news articles, poetry, blogs, reference books, novels, etc.).
-
Write often. Writing is a great way to help you to use different kinds of words that you might not naturally use in conversation. Practicing writing can help you to improve your understanding of and increase your confidence in using new words.
-
Use a thesaurus. A thesaurus is essentially a dictionary of synonyms and is a fantastic resource for learning new alternatives for commonly used words. By trying to use more interesting synonyms for common words, you can increase your vocabulary and improve your written and verbal expression.
Reading widely is a great way to improve your vocabulary.
English Vocabulary — Key Takeaways
- The English vocabulary is the collection of words that an English speaker knows and uses to communicate.
- The general vocabulary of a population can change over time as new words are added and old ones become disused.
- Old English had a very different vocabulary from Modern English.
- There are four types of vocabulary: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- We can improve our vocabulary by reading a lot, writing frequently, and using a thesaurus to incorporate more synonyms into our language.
SKIP TO CONTENT
Jürgen H.
See
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Basic_English_word_list
This is a list of the 850 words in the Basic English core vocabulary. These words all denote simple concepts commonly used in everyday life.
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_English
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It’s very difficult to say exactly how many words there are in the English language because it depends how you count them and, of course, language is changing and growing all the time. But even at a conservative estimate, there are well over a quarter of a million distinct English words. That makes the task of teaching vocabulary to learners of English seem a rather daunting one.
Thankfully, Zipf’s Law comes to our rescue. This states that a handful of the most frequent words in the language account for a disproportionately large chunk of any text, either written or spoken. The top 2000 most frequent words, in particular, make up somewhere around 80% of most texts. That makes frequency a good rule-of-thumb indicator of the words we should probably focus on teaching first.
The Oxford 3000TM: then and now
With this aim in mind, the Oxford 3000 word list was first put together back in 2005. Since then, the list has been widely used by learners, teachers, syllabus designers and materials writers to help them choose which vocabulary is worth spending most time over. Fourteen years on, however, it was time for an update. The new Oxford 3000 has had a thorough revision including a new look at the criteria for inclusion and the use of new frequency data based on a much larger and more up-to-date corpus.
Frequency vs. relevance
Whilst frequency is the guiding principle behind choosing which words to include on the list, it doesn’t quite work as a basis for selection on its own. That’s in part because there are a surprising number of words that describe basic things in the world around us and that learners would expect to learn quite early on that actually wouldn’t qualify for a top 3000 on frequency alone. So, words like apple and passport, for example, probably wouldn’t make the cut.
Thus, the new Oxford 3000 balances frequency with relevance to the average learner. As well as how common they are, the list compilers took into account whether words are typically used to talk about the kinds of themes and functional areas common in an ELT syllabus, and the types of tasks and topics needed in English exams.
A core vocabulary as a starting point
It would be wrong, however, to assume that 3000 words will be enough on their own for a learner to read and communicate successfully in English. The Oxford 3000 aims to provide a core vocabulary, that is, a solid basis that students can build around.
At the lowest levels, words on the list are likely to make up the bulk of the learner’s repertoire. So, for an A1 learner, for example, 90% of their vocabulary might consist of basic core words. As learners progress and want to read about and express a wider range of ideas, though, while they will still rely heavily on that core, they will also need to supplement it with vocabulary from other sources. The Oxford 3000 aims to provide a core vocabulary for learners up to roughly B2 level. By this stage, more and more of the vocabulary they acquire will reflect the unique interests and needs of each individual learner.
Julie Moore is a freelance ELT writer, lexicographer and corpus researcher. She’s written a wide range of ELT materials, but has a particular passion for words and always gets drawn back to vocabulary teaching. She’s worked on a range of learner’s dictionaries and other vocabulary resources, including the Oxford Academic Vocabulary Practice titles.
Click here to access the Oxford 3000, Oxford 5000 and Oxford Phrase List.
