A lot of you must be struggling to learn English. Many of you must be aspiring to enroll in IELTS centre so that you can clear the exam. English is a language with many peculiarities and complexities. But there is some good news as well. We are talking about the small words which can be used in English for effective communication.

Small is mighty, as you will see shortly. As far as the English language is concerned, it is absolutely true. English has a lot of seemingly small but very significant words which can be used to express almost any sentence. The words, though important are quite easy to learn. It is important to learn them as they form the building blocks of the language. Almost all basic communication requires the usage of these words. It will also prove to be helpful in making you understand the native English speakers really well. If you don't get well versed with this aspect, you might end up getting the words all mixed up. So save the embarrassment and take the journey with us-

1. The

It is often referred to as the definite article. It means referring to some particular person or place. It is used with nouns. Ex-The book I read was interesting.

2. A and an

It is also used with nouns but doesn't refer to some person or place in particular. I borrowed a book from the library. If the noun starts with a vowel, then 'an' replaces 'a'. Ex-I have an apple with me.

3. Be

It indicates a state. Ex-She wants to be in the army.

4. Have

It shows ownership. Ex-I have a pen. It can also be used to tell that there is something to be done. Ex- I have to finish this project by tomorrow.

5. Do

It is used to indicate an action

I will do the shopping later on.

Why did you do this?

6. Say

It signifies verbal communication. Ex -What did you say?

7. And

It is a conjunction and it is used to connect ideas. Ex-I have cheese and eggs in the fridge. Why don't you come over and have something?

8. Or – It is so used to connect sentences but it also shows another option or idea. Ex-Will you take the auto or the bus?

9. But

It puts together two ideas which show that they are the opposite. It explains two contrary things. Ex-He was fair but not handsome.

10. Of - it explains the relationship between two words. Ex-She was the Prime Minister of India. It will also indicate someone's position like –The door is on the left of the window. It also shows the division of objects like – I have a piece of cake.

11. For

It is one of the most common words of English and it conveys different meanings.

It is mostly used for adding meaning to another idea. Ex-I is going to the restaurant for a cup of coffee.

It also shows intention sometimes. Ex-these flowers are for you.

12. In

It signifies internal space or the opposite of out. There was a stove in the kitchen.

13. To

It signifies movement between one place and another. Ex-The lady walked to the car.

There are many other words which you will come across commonly in English language usage. You can make a note of them and put them in written form in the diary to help you communicate in English later on.


1. Canadian English feels like an odd choice, but OK (American and British spelling within the same sentence tends to hail from there). Conscious bias caused by years of Oxford/Cambridge textbooks.

2. It's charmingly wicked that you used each of the explained words (sans 'say') before its explanation.

3. I'm not sure if something intended for A1/A2-level students should use phrases like 'peculiarities' or 'prove to be'. For instance, those are hard to get right in Polish (and other Slavic languages, presumably).

posted by idavidi: 145 days ago