150 English words
English function words: pronouns, prepositions and more
The small grammar words English can’t do without: pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, determiners and modal verbs, with how to use each one.
Words
A
- adeterminerA1used before a singular noun when you mean any one, or one not mentioned beforeI saw a fox in the garden this morning.
- aboutprepositionA1on the subject of; connected withWe talked about our plans for the summer.
- aboveprepositionA1in or to a higher position than somethingThere is a shelf above the desk.
- accordingprepositionB1according to: as said or reported by someone or somethingAccording to the weather report, it will rain later.
- acrossprepositionA2from one side to the other side of somethingWe walked across the bridge.
- afterprepositionA1later than something; following in time or orderLet’s go for a walk after lunch.
- againstprepositionA2not agreeing with or supporting somethingMost people voted against the plan.
- alldeterminerA1the whole number or amount of somethingAll the students passed the test.
- alongprepositionA2moving in a line on or beside a road, river or pathWe walked along the beach at sunset.
- althoughconjunctionB1used to introduce an idea that makes the main idea surprisingAlthough it was raining, we went for a walk.
- amongprepositionB1in the middle of or surrounded by a groupWe found a small house among the trees.
- andconjunctionA1used to join words or parts of a sentenceI bought bread and milk.
- anotherdeterminerA1one more of the same kindWould you like another cup of tea?
- anydeterminerA1some; used in questions and negative sentencesDo you have any brothers or sisters?
- anyonepronounA2any person; used in questions and negative sentencesDid anyone call while I was out?
- anythingpronounA1any thing; used in questions and negative sentencesI didn’t buy anything at the mall.
- aroundprepositionA1on every side of something, or in a circleWe sat around the fire.
- asprepositionA2in the role or function ofShe works as a nurse.
- atprepositionA1used to show an exact place or positionI’ll meet you at the station.
B
- beauxiliary verbA1used with other verbs to form continuous tenses and the passiveShe is watching TV, and the dishes are being washed.
- becauseconjunctionA1for the reason thatI stayed home because I was sick.
- beforeprepositionA1earlier thanWash your hands before dinner.
- behindprepositionA1at or toward the back of somethingThe garden is behind the house.
- bettermodal verbA1had better: should, as advice or a warningYou’d better leave now or you’ll miss the bus.
- betweenprepositionA1in the space that separates two things or peopleThe bank is between the pharmacy and the cafe.
- beyondprepositionB2on the far side of somethingThere’s a small village beyond the hills.
- bothdeterminerA1the two people or things togetherBoth my parents are teachers.
- butconjunctionA1used to add something different or surprisingIt’s small but very comfortable.
- byprepositionA1used to show who or what does somethingThis song was written by my brother.
C
D
- despiteprepositionB1without being stopped by something; even though something is trueDespite the rain, we enjoyed the trip.
- doauxiliary verbA1used to make questions and negatives in the present and past simpleDo you like coffee?
- downprepositionA1from a higher to a lower point of something, or along itShe ran down the stairs.
- duringprepositionA2all through a period of time, or at some point within itThe phone rang during dinner.
E
- eachdeterminerA1every one of two or more people or things, seen separatelyEach student gets a free book.
- eitherdeterminerA2one or the other of two things or people, it does not matter whichYou can park on either side of the street.
- enoughdeterminerA1as much or as many as you needDo we have enough chairs for everyone?
- everydeterminerA1all the people or things in a group, considered one by oneEvery student needs a notebook.
- everybodypronounA1every person; all peopleEverybody in my class likes the new teacher.
- everyonepronounA1every person; all the people in a groupThanks, everyone, for coming tonight.
- everythingpronounA1all things, or all the things in a situationEverything in this store is on sale.
F
- fewdeterminerA1a small number of; someI’ll be back in a few minutes.
- forprepositionA1intended to be given to or used by someone or somethingI bought these flowers for you.
- formerpronounB1the first of two people or things just mentionedOf tea and coffee, I prefer the former.
- fromprepositionA1used to show where someone or something starts or comes fromI’m from Brazil, but I live in Canada.
H
- halfdeterminerA1an amount equal to half of somethingI’ll be there in half an hour.
- haveauxiliary verbA1used with a past participle to form perfect tensesI have already eaten lunch.
- hepronounA1used to talk about a man, boy or male animal already mentionedWhere’s Tom? He’s in the kitchen.
- herpronounA1used for a woman or girl as the object of a verb or prepositionI called her last night.
- herselfpronounA2used when the woman or girl doing an action is also affected by itShe hurt herself while playing tennis.
- himpronounA1used for a man or boy as the object of a verb or prepositionI gave him the keys this morning.
- himselfpronounA2used when the man or boy doing an action is also affected by itHe taught himself to play the guitar.
- hisdeterminerA1belonging to or connected with a man or boy already mentionedTom forgot his umbrella again.
- howconjunctionA1the way in which something happens or is doneI don’t know how she did it.
I
- IpronounA1used by the speaker or writer to talk about themselves as the subjectI live in Chicago.
- ifconjunctionA1used to say that something happens only when something else happensIf it rains, we’ll stay inside.
- inprepositionA1inside or within a place, container or areaThe keys are in my bag.
- includingprepositionA2used to show that someone or something is part of a group or totalTen people came, including my parents.
- insideprepositionA1in or into a building, container or spaceThere was nothing inside the box.
- intoprepositionA1moving to the inside of a place or containerShe walked into the kitchen.
- itpronounA1used for a thing, animal or situation already mentionedI bought a new phone, and it works great.
- itsdeterminerA1belonging to or connected with a thing or animal already mentionedThe dog wagged its tail.
- itselfpronounB1used when a thing or animal doing an action is also affected by itThe cat was cleaning itself in the sun.
L
- leastdeterminerA2the smallest amount of somethingWho did the least work on this project?
- lessdeterminerA2a smaller amount of somethingYou should eat less sugar.
- likeprepositionA1similar to someone or somethingShe looks like her mother.
- littledeterminerA1not much (with “a”, a small amount)There’s a little milk left in the fridge.
- lotpronounA1a large amount or number (in “a lot” or “lots”)We have a lot of homework tonight.
M
- manydeterminerA1a large number ofMany people work from home now.
- maymodal verbA2used to say that something is possible but not certainIt may rain later, so take an umbrella.
- mepronounA1used by the speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or prepositionCan you help me with this box?
- mightmodal verbA2used to say that something is possible, often less likely than with “may”We might go to the beach if it’s sunny.
- moredeterminerA1a larger number or amount of somethingWe need more chairs for the guests.
- mostdeterminerA2almost all of a group of people or thingsMost students passed the exam.
- muchdeterminerA1a large amount of something, used with uncountable nounsWe don’t have much time left.
- mustmodal verbA2used to say that something is necessary or very importantYou must wear a seat belt in the car.
- mydeterminerA1belonging to or connected with the speakerThis is my sister, Kate.
- myselfpronounA2used when the speaker is both the subject and object of a verbI cut myself while cooking.
N
- nearprepositionA1a short distance from somethingIs there a bank near here?
- nodeterminerA1not any or not oneThere’s no milk in the fridge.
- nonepronounA2not any or not one of a group of people or thingsNone of my friends could come to the party.
- norconjunctionB1used after “neither” to add another negative choiceNeither my brother nor I can swim.
- nothingpronounA1not anythingThere’s nothing to eat in the house.
- notwithstandingprepositionC2despite something, in formal or legal languageNotwithstanding the bad weather, the event was a success.
- nowconjunctionA1because something has happenedNow that the kids are older, we travel more.
O
- ofprepositionA1belonging to or connected with someone or somethingThe roof of the house needs repairing.
- onprepositionA1touching or supported by the top of a surfaceYour phone is on the table.
- onceconjunctionA2as soon as or after something happensOnce you finish, you can go home.
- onepronounA1used instead of repeating a noun already mentionedI don’t like the red shirt, I prefer the blue one.
- ontoprepositionB1moving to a position on a surfaceThe cat jumped onto the table.
- orconjunctionA1used to join possibilities or choicesWould you like tea or coffee?
- otherspronounA2different people or things from the ones already mentionedSome students walk to school, others take the bus.
- ourdeterminerA1belonging to or connected with the speaker and othersOur house is at the end of the street.
- outsideprepositionA1near a building or room but not in itI’ll wait for you outside the movie theater.
- overprepositionA1above or across somethingA plane flew over the house.
P
S
- samepronounA1the same thingI’ll have the same, please.
- severaldeterminerA2more than two but not very manyI’ve read that book several times.
- shepronounA1used for a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subjectMy sister lives in Boston. She is a nurse.
- shouldmodal verbA1used to give advice or say what is rightYou should drink more water.
- sinceprepositionA2from a time in the past until nowI’ve lived here since 2015.
- soconjunctionA1for this reason; and thereforeIt was late, so we went home.
- somedeterminerA1an amount or number of something, not exactly statedWould you like some coffee?
- somebodypronounA1a person, when you don’t know or don’t say whoSomebody left their umbrella here.
- someonepronounA1a person, when you don’t know or don’t say whoSomeone is knocking at the door.
- somethingpronounA1a thing that you don’t name or don’t know exactlyI want to tell you something.
- suchdeterminerA2used to make a noun phrase strongerIt was such a beautiful day.
T
- thanconjunctionA1used to compare two things or peopleShe is taller than her brother.
- thatdeterminerA1used for a person or thing farther away or already mentionedWho is that woman over there?
- thedeterminerA1used before a noun when the listener knows which one you meanCan you close the door, please?
- theirdeterminerA1belonging to or connected with themThey sold their house last year.
- thempronounA1used as the object for people or things already mentionedI called my parents and told them the news.
- themselvespronounA2used when the people doing an action are also affected by itThe kids enjoyed themselves at the party.
- therepronounA1used with “be” to say that something existsThere is a park near my house.
- thesedeterminerA1used before a plural noun for things or people near youThese shoes are too small for me.
- theypronounA1the people or things already mentioned, as the subject of a verbMy parents called; they’re coming tomorrow.
- thisdeterminerA1used before a singular noun for something near you or being discussedThis coffee is really good.
- thosedeterminerA1used before a plural noun for things or people farther awayCan you see those birds on the roof?
- thoughconjunctionB1despite the fact thatThough it was late, she kept working.
- throughprepositionA2from one side or end of something to the otherWe drove through the tunnel.
- throughoutprepositionB2in every part of a placeThe store has branches throughout the country.
- toprepositionA1in the direction of a place, person, or thingI walk to school every day.
- towardprepositionB1in the direction ofThe dog ran toward me.
U
- underprepositionA1below or lower than somethingThe cat is under the table.
- untilprepositionA2up to a certain timeThe store is open until 9 p.m.
- uponprepositionB2on; a more formal wordThe decision depends upon the results.
- uspronounA1the speaker and another person or other people, as an objectCan you help us?
W
- wepronounA1the speaker and one or more other people, as the subjectWe live in Chicago.
- whatpronounA1used to ask about a thing, fact, or informationWhat is your name?
- whateverpronounB1anything or everything thatEat whatever you like.
- whenconjunctionA1at the time thatCall me when you get home.
- whereconjunctionA1at, in, or to the place thatThis is the house where I was born.
- whetherconjunctionB1used to talk about a choice between two possibilitiesI don’t know whether to stay or go.
- whichdeterminerA1used to ask about one choice from a limited groupWhich bus goes downtown?
- whileconjunctionA2during the time that something else happensI listened to music while I cooked.
- whopronounA1used to ask which person or peopleWho is your teacher?
- whompronounB2the object form of “who”; used in formal EnglishTo whom should I send the letter?
- whosedeterminerA2used to ask who something belongs toWhose bag is this?
- willmodal verbA1used to talk about the futureIt will rain tomorrow.
- withprepositionA1together with or near someone or somethingI went to the store with my brother.
- withinprepositionB1before a period of time has passedPlease reply within three days.
- withoutprepositionA2not having or using somethingI can’t see without my glasses.
- wouldmodal verbA1used to talk about imagined situationsIf I had money, I would buy a car.
Y
- yetconjunctionA2but; despite thisThe test was hard, yet everyone passed.
- youpronounA1the person or people being spoken or written toAre you ready?
- yourdeterminerA1belonging to the person or people you are speaking toIs this your coat?
- yourselfpronounA2used when the subject and object are the same person, “you”Be careful not to hurt yourself.