🔗 Japanese Function Words Vocabulary Function Words

386 essential English words for the Function Words scene, each with IPA, English meaning, CEFR level and native speaker audio, plus example sentences. Tap 🔊 to listen.

a /ˈeɪ/ A1
I have a cat at home.
about /əbˈaʊt/ A1
There are about twenty students in my class.
above /əbˈʌv/ A1
The stars are shining bright above tonight.
action /ˈækʃən/ A1
We must take action to protect the environment.
after /ˈæftɚ/ A1
Let's play soccer after school today.
again /əɡˈɛn/ A1
Can you say that again, please?
all /ˈɔl/ A1
I know all the students in this class.
almost /ˈɔlmoʊst/ A1
I'm almost ready, just give me one minute.
already /ɔlɹˈɛdi/ A1
I have already eaten, so I'm not hungry.
also /ˈɔlsoʊ/ A1
She speaks French and also a little Spanish.
always /ˈɔlweɪz/ A1
He always drinks coffee in the morning.
am /ˈæm/ A1
I am a student at a language school.
an /ˈæn/ A1
I eat an apple every day after lunch.
and /ˈænd/ A1
I like coffee and tea in the morning.
another /ənˈʌðɚ/ A1
Can I have another cup of coffee, please?
any /ˈɛni/ A1
Do you have any milk in the fridge?
are /ˈɑɹ/ A1
You are my best friend in the class.
as /ˈæz/ A1
She works as a nurse at the city hospital.
at /ˈæt/ A1
Let's meet at the coffee shop at three o'clock.
away /əwˈeɪ/ A1
Please put your phone away during the class.
back /bˈæk/ A1
Please come back home before it gets dark.
be /bˈi/ A1
I want to be a good teacher one day.
because /bɪkˈɔz/ A1
I stayed home because it was raining very hard.
before /bɪfˈɔɹ/ A1
I have never seen this movie before today.
both /bˈoʊθ/ A1
My parents both work at a school.
but /bˈʌt/ A1
I like tea, but I don't like coffee.
by /bˈaɪ/ A1
The cat is sleeping by the window.
can /kˈæn/ A1
I can swim very well in the deep pool.
carefully /kˈɛɹfəli/ A1
He carefully put the glass cups on the table.
could /kˈʊd/ A1
You could ask the teacher if you need any help.
did /dˈɪd/ A1
I did my homework last night.
does /dˈʌz/ A1
She does her work very carefully.
down /dˈaʊn/ A1
Please sit down and wait for a moment.
each /ˈitʃ/ A1
The teacher gave a small gift to each child today.
either /ˈiðɚ/ A1
You can take either bus to get downtown.
else /ˈɛls/ A1
Would you like anything else to drink?
end /ˈɛnd/ A1
The store is at the end of this street.
every /ˈɛvɚi/ A1
I drink a cup of coffee every morning.
everywhere /ˈɛvɹiwɛɹ/ A1
I looked everywhere but I can't find my keys.
for /fˈɔɹ/ A1
This present is for you, happy birthday!
from /fɹˈʌm/ A1
My best friend comes from a small town in Japan.
had /hˈæd/ A1
We had a great time at the park yesterday.
if /ˈɪf/ A1
Please call me if you need any help.
in /ˈɪn/ A1
The keys are in my bag, not on the table.
into /ˈɪntu/ A1
She put the milk into the fridge after breakfast.
is /ˈɪz/ A1
My brother is a student at this school.
just /dʒˈʌst/ A1
I just want a glass of water, please.
kind /kˈaɪnd/ A1
What kind of music do you like best?
like /lˈaɪk/ A1
He looks like his father when he smiles.
lot /lˈɑt/ A1
I like this song a lot; I play it every day.
many /mˈɛni/ A1
There are many books on the table.
may /mˈeɪ/ A1
You may sit here if you like.
maybe /mˈeɪbi/ A1
I think maybe he is at home now.
more /mˈɔɹ/ A1
Can I have some more rice, please?
most /mˈoʊst/ A1
I like most kinds of fruit, but not bananas.
much /mˈʌtʃ/ A1
Thank you very much for all your help today.
must /mˈʌst/ A1
You must wear a seatbelt in the car.
need /nˈid/ A1
You need not worry about the test tomorrow.
never /nˈɛvɚ/ A1
I never drink coffee late at night.
not /nˈɑt/ A1
I am not hungry right now, thank you.
of /ˈʌv/ A1
She showed me a photo of her cute dog.
often /ˈɔfən/ A1
We often eat dinner together on Sundays.
on /ˈɑn/ A1
Your keys are on the kitchen table.
or /ˈɔɹ/ A1
Do you want tea or coffee with breakfast?
out /ˈaʊt/ A1
It is sunny today, so let's go out and play.
over /ˈoʊvɚ/ A1
The plane is flying over the mountains right now.
past /pˈæst/ A1
The bus drove past without stopping for us.
quickly /kwˈɪkli/ A1
Please walk quickly; the bus leaves in five minutes.
really /ɹˈɪli/ A1
This cake is really delicious; can I have more?
should /ʃˈʊd/ A1
You should drink more water every day.
so /sˈoʊ/ A1
I was very tired, so I went to bed early.
some /sˈʌm/ A1
Would you like some tea with your cake?
soon /sˈun/ A1
The bus will arrive soon, so please wait here.
than /ðˈæn/ A1
My brother is taller than me now.
that /ðˈæt/ A1
I think that this movie is very good.
the /ðə/ A1
Please open the window; it is hot in here.
then /ðˈɛn/ A1
We eat dinner first, and then we watch TV.
through /θɹˈu/ A1
The train goes through a long tunnel here.
to /tˈu/ A1
I want to learn English with my friends.
too /tˈu/ A1
I love ice cream, and my brother loves it too.
under /ˈʌndɚ/ A1
The cat is sleeping under the kitchen table now.
until /əntˈɪl/ A1
The shop is open until nine in the evening.
up /ˈʌp/ A1
We walked up the hill together after lunch.
usually /jˈuʒəwəli/ A1
I usually get up at seven in the morning.
very /vˈɛɹi/ A1
This soup is very hot, so be careful.
was /wˈɑz/ A1
The movie was really good last night.
were /wˈɚ/ A1
The children were very happy at the birthday party.
will /wˈɪl/ A1
I think it will rain this afternoon.
with /wˈɪð/ A1
I go to school with my best friend.
would /wˈʊd/ A1
I would like a cup of tea, please.
yet /jˈɛt/ A1
The bus has not arrived yet, so we wait here.
actually /ˈæktʃuəli/ A2
It looks difficult, but it's actually quite easy to do.
against /əɡˈɛnst/ A2
Many people voted against the new plan yesterday.
although /ɔlðˈoʊ/ A2
We went for a walk although it was raining hard.
among /əmˈʌŋ/ A2
She was the tallest among all her school friends.
anymore /ɛnimˈɔɹ/ A2
I do not live in that old house anymore.
anyway /ˈɛniweɪ/ A2
It was raining, but we went for a walk anyway.
anywhere /ˈɛniwɛɹ/ A2
You can sit anywhere you like in this room.
apart /əpˈɑɹt/ A2
The two houses stand far apart on the hill.
apparently /əpˈɛɹəntli/ A2
The shop is apparently closed on Mondays.
automatically /ɔtəmˈætɪkli/ A2
The lights turn off automatically when everyone leaves the room.
badly /bˈædli/ A2
He did badly on the test because he didn't study.
basically /bˈeɪsɪkli/ A2
The plan is basically the same as the old one.
been /bˈɪn/ A2
I have been very busy with my new job this week.
besides /bɪsˈaɪdz/ A2
I don't want to go out, and besides, it's raining hard.
bit /bˈɪt/ A2
I'm feeling a little bit tired after the long walk.
certainly /sˈɚtənli/ A2
This is certainly the best coffee I've ever had.
chance /tʃˈæns/ A2
This is a great chance to learn something new.
clearly /klˈɪɹli/ A2
Please speak more clearly so everyone can understand you.
crime /kɹˈaɪm/ A2
The police are trying to stop crime in our city.
cross /kɹˈɔs/ A2
She drew a small cross next to the wrong answer.
crowd /kɹˈaʊd/ A2
A big crowd gathered outside the stadium before the game.
deep /dˈip/ A2
The diver went deep down under the cold blue water.
deeply /dˈipli/ A2
She was deeply moved by the kind words in the letter.
depend /dɪpˈɛnd/ A2
Old people often depend on their children for daily help.
differently /dˈɪfɹəntli/ A2
My sister and I think quite differently about money.
during /dˈʊɹɪŋ/ A2
I usually read a book during my lunch break at work.
easily /ˈizəli/ A2
He can easily finish this homework before dinner.
elsewhere /ˈɛlswɛɹ/ A2
If this shop is closed, we can look elsewhere.
enough /ɪnˈʌf/ A2
This bag is big enough to hold all my books.
especially /əspˈɛʃli/ A2
I love fruit, especially strawberries in the summer.
even /ˈivɪn/ A2
The test was so easy that even the children passed it.
ever /ˈɛvɚ/ A2
Have you ever been to Japan before?
exactly /ɪɡzˈæktli/ A2
The train left at exactly nine o'clock this morning.
except /ɪksˈɛpt/ A2
The shop is open every day except Sunday.
extremely /ɛkstɹˈimli/ A2
The soup was extremely hot, so I waited a while.
fairly /fˈɛɹli/ A2
The test was fairly easy, so most students passed.
few /fjˈu/ A2
Only a few people came to the meeting today.
finally /fˈaɪnəli/ A2
After a long wait, the bus finally arrived at the stop.
forever /fəɹˈɛvɚ/ A2
I will remember this happy day forever.
fortunately /fˈɔɹtʃənətli/ A2
No one was hurt in the accident, fortunately.
fully /fˈʊli/ A2
I don't fully understand the rules of this new game.
further /fˈɚðɚ/ A2
Please contact us if you need any further information.
given /ɡˈɪvən/ A2
You must finish the test within a given amount of time.
gradually /ɡɹˈædʒuəli/ A2
The weather gradually got warmer as spring arrived.
greatly /ɡɹˈeɪtli/ A2
The weather greatly improved after the storm passed.
gun /ɡˈʌn/ A2
The police officer carried a gun on his belt.
handle /hˈændəl/ A2
The handle of the door is broken and won't turn.
hardly /hˈɑɹdli/ A2
I was so tired that I could hardly keep my eyes open.
heavily /hˈɛvəli/ A2
It was raining heavily when we left the office tonight.
however /haʊˈɛvɚ/ A2
I wanted to go out; however, it started to rain hard.
importantly /ɪmpˈɔɹtəntli/ A2
More importantly, we finished the whole project on time.
indeed /ɪndˈid/ A2
The film was indeed as good as everyone said.
instead /ɪnstˈɛd/ A2
The shop was closed, so we went home instead.
latter /lˈætɚ/ A2
I liked both films, but the latter one was better.
least /lˈist/ A2
Of all the shops, this one has the least choice.
less /lˈɛs/ A2
You should worry less about small things.
loudly /lˈaʊdli/ A2
The children were laughing loudly in the next room.
luckily /lˈʌkəli/ A2
It started raining, but luckily I had an umbrella.
mainly /mˈeɪnli/ A2
I mainly eat vegetables, but I also like fish.
might /mˈaɪt/ A2
It might rain later, so please take an umbrella.
mostly /mˈoʊstli/ A2
The people at the party were mostly my old friends.
nearly /nˈɪɹli/ A2
We have nearly finished cleaning the whole house.
next /nˈɛkst/ A2
First we ate lunch, and next we went shopping.
nowadays /nˈaʊədeɪz/ A2
Many people work from home nowadays.
part /pˈɑɹt/ A2
This is my favorite part of the whole movie.
partly /pˈɑɹtli/ A2
The delay was partly my fault, so I apologized.
perfectly /pˈɚfəktli/ A2
The new shoes fit me perfectly and feel very comfortable.
perhaps /pɚhˈæps/ A2
We should perhaps leave a little earlier to avoid the traffic.
pile /pˈaɪl/ A2
There was a big pile of dirty clothes on the floor.
plus /plˈʌs/ A2
Two plus three equals five, as everyone knows.
possibly /pˈɑsəbli/ A2
The train will possibly arrive a few minutes late tonight.
probably /pɹˈɑbəbli/ A2
It will probably rain later, so take an umbrella.
quietly /kwˈaɪətli/ A2
The children sat quietly and listened to the story.
quite /kwˈaɪt/ A2
The movie was quite long, but I really enjoyed it.
rather /ɹˈæðɚ/ A2
The movie was rather long, but I really liked it.
regularly /ɹˈɛɡjəlɚli/ A2
You should water these plants regularly so they stay healthy.
remain /ɹɪmˈeɪn/ A2
Please remain seated until the plane comes to a stop.
sadly /sˈædli/ A2
We sadly could not go to the beach because of the rain.
sake /sˈeɪk/ A2
For the sake of the children, they stayed together.
seem /sˈim/ A2
You seem tired today; did you sleep well last night?
seriously /sˈɪɹiəsli/ A2
You should take this problem seriously before it gets worse.
several /sˈɛvɹəl/ A2
I have visited this city several times over the years.
shall /ʃˈæl/ A2
Tell me, shall we go for a walk after dinner?
silently /sˈaɪləntli/ A2
She closed the door silently so nobody would wake up.
simply /sˈɪmpli/ A2
I simply forgot to send the message this morning.
since /sˈɪns/ A2
I haven't seen my old friend since last summer.
slowly /slˈoʊli/ A2
Please speak more slowly so I can understand.
smoothly /smˈuðli/ A2
The meeting went smoothly and finished on time.
somewhere /sˈʌmwɛɹ/ A2
I left my keys somewhere in the house this morning.
space /spˈeɪs/ A2
There isn't enough space in this room for a big table.
strongly /stɹˈɔŋli/ A2
I strongly believe that we can finish on time.
such /sˈʌtʃ/ A2
I have never seen such a beautiful sunset before today.
therefore /ðˈɛɹfɔɹ/ A2
It was raining hard; therefore, we stayed at home all day.
though /ðˈoʊ/ A2
We went to the park, though it was cold outside.
till /tˈɪl/ A2
The shop stays open till nine o'clock every evening.
truly /tɹˈuli/ A2
I am truly sorry for being so late today.
unfortunately /ənfˈɔɹtʃənətli/ A2
We got there late, and unfortunately the shop was already closed.
unlike /ənlˈaɪk/ A2
The twin sisters are quite unlike in many ways.
upon /əpˈɑn/ A2
The little cat was sleeping upon the warm roof.
whatever /wʌtˈɛvɚ/ A2
You can order whatever dish you like from the menu.
while /wˈaɪl/ A2
I listened to music while I was cooking dinner.
widely /wˈaɪdli/ A2
English is widely spoken in many countries around the world.
within /wɪðˈɪn/ A2
Please finish the report within three days from now.
without /wɪθˈaʊt/ A2
I can't read the small letters without my glasses.
worldwide /wˈɚldwˌaɪd/ A2
The company sells its products worldwide to many countries.
absolutely /æbsəlˈutli/ B1
You are absolutely right about that answer.
accidentally /æksədˈɛntəli/ B1
I accidentally deleted the file while cleaning my computer.
accurately /ˈækjɚətli/ B1
She described the accident accurately to the police officer.
afterward /ˈæftɚwɚd/ B1
We had dinner and went for a quiet walk afterward.
afterwards /ˈæftɚwɚdz/ B1
First we visited the museum, and afterwards we had coffee.
altogether /ɔltəɡˈɛðɚ/ B1
The books cost fifty dollars altogether, including the tax.
anti /ˈænti/ B1
My grandmother is very anti modern technology of any kind.
anyhow /ˈɛnihaʊ/ B1
It was raining hard, but we went to the beach anyhow.
arise /əɹˈaɪz/ B1
New problems often arise when a project moves too quickly.
aside /əsˈaɪd/ B1
She stepped aside to let the old man pass.
barely /bˈɛɹli/ B1
I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open.
beneath /bɪnˈiθ/ B1
The cat likes to sleep beneath the warm kitchen table.
boldly /bˈoʊldli/ B1
She boldly asked the manager for a higher salary.
bomb /bˈɑm/ B1
Police found a bomb hidden inside an old suitcase.
bravely /bɹˈeɪvli/ B1
The little boy bravely jumped into the cold water.
briefly /bɹˈifli/ B1
He briefly explained the plan before we started work.
brightly /bɹˈaɪtli/ B1
The sun shone brightly over the quiet green fields.
burglar /bˈɚɡlɚ/ B1
A burglar broke into their house while they were away.
cage /kˈeɪdʒ/ B1
The parrot flew back into its cage to eat.
carelessly /kˈɛɹləsli/ B1
He carelessly left his phone on the crowded train seat.
closely /klˈoʊsli/ B1
The teacher watched the students closely during the exam.
collapse /kəlˈæps/ B1
The old bridge was near total collapse after the storm.
combination /kɑmbənˈeɪʃən/ B1
This dish is a tasty combination of sweet and sour flavors.
commonly /kˈɑmənli/ B1
This word is commonly used by students all over the world.
completely /kəmplˈitli/ B1
I completely forgot about the meeting this morning.
consequently /kˈɑnsəkwəntli/ B1
He missed the bus and consequently arrived late for work.
constantly /kˈɑnstəntli/ B1
My little brother is constantly asking me for money.
constitute /kˈɑnstətut/ B1
Women constitute almost half of the company's staff.
continually /kəntˈɪnjuəli/ B1
He continually checks his phone even during dinner.
continuously /kəntˈɪnjuəsli/ B1
The rain fell continuously for three whole days last week.
criminal /kɹˈɪmənəl/ B1
The police finally caught the dangerous criminal last night.
crisis /kɹˈaɪsəs/ B1
The country faced a serious economic crisis last year.
curiously /kjˈʊɹiəsli/ B1
The cat looked curiously at its own reflection in the mirror.
currently /kˈɚəntli/ B1
She is currently working on a new project at the office.
dangerously /dˈeɪndʒɚəsli/ B1
He was driving dangerously fast on the wet motorway.
definitely /dˈɛfənətli/ B1
I will definitely come to your party on Saturday evening.
despite /dɪspˈaɪt/ B1
We went for a walk despite the heavy rain outside.
directly /dəɹˈɛktli/ B1
If you have a problem, please talk to me directly about it.
distinctly /dɪstˈɪŋktli/ B1
I distinctly remember locking the door before we left home.
entirely /ɪntˈaɪɚli/ B1
The accident was entirely my fault, and I apologized at once.
equally /ˈikwəli/ B1
We divided the cake equally among the four children.
evenly /ˈivənli/ B1
Spread the butter evenly over both slices of bread.
eventually /ɪvˈɛntʃəwəli/ B1
After many delays, the train eventually arrived at the station.
extensively /ɪkstˈɛnsɪvli/ B1
She has traveled extensively in South America and speaks Spanish well.
feverishly /fˈɛvɚɪʃli/ B1
The team worked feverishly all night to finish the report.
firmly /fˈɚmli/ B1
She firmly refused to change her mind about the plan.
formally /fˈɔɹməli/ B1
The new library was formally opened by the city mayor.
forth /fˈɔɹθ/ B1
She walked back and forth across the room while waiting for the call.
freely /fɹˈili/ B1
In this class, students can speak freely about their own opinions.
frequently /fɹˈikwəntli/ B1
He frequently forgets his keys, so he leaves a spare with me.
furthermore /fˈɚðɚmɔɹ/ B1
The flat is small; furthermore, it is far from the station.
furthest /fˈɚθəst/ B1
Of all the runners, she ran furthest from the starting line.
generally /dʒˈɛnɚəli/ B1
I generally get up at six and go for a short run.
genetically /dʒənˈɛtɪkli/ B1
Some of these crops are genetically modified to resist insects.
goodness /ɡˈʊdnəs/ B1
Oh my goodness, I completely forgot about the meeting this morning!
highly /hˈaɪli/ B1
This restaurant is highly recommended by everyone in our office.
honestly /ˈɑnəstli/ B1
I honestly have no idea where I left my keys.
hopefully /hˈoʊpfəli/ B1
The train will hopefully arrive before the meeting starts.
hurriedly /hˈɚidli/ B1
He hurriedly packed his bag and ran to catch the last train.
illegally /ɪlˈiɡəli/ B1
The car was parked illegally in front of the hospital entrance.
immediately /ɪmˈidiətli/ B1
Call an ambulance immediately if he starts feeling dizzy again.
including /ɪnklˈudɪŋ/ B1
Twenty people came to the party, including my two cousins.
increasingly /ɪnkɹˈisɪŋli/ B1
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a cheap flat here.
incredibly /ɪnkɹˈɛdəbli/ B1
The exam was incredibly hard, but I somehow passed it.
indirectly /ɪndəɹˈɛktli/ B1
She indirectly admitted that the mistake was partly her fault.
indoors /ˈɪndɔɹz/ B1
It started raining, so we moved the party indoors right away.
initially /ɪnˈɪʃəli/ B1
We initially planned to leave early, but the meeting ran late.
intentionally /ɪntˈɛnʃənəli/ B1
She never intentionally leaves her friends waiting outside in the rain.
largely /lˈɑɹdʒli/ B1
The project failed largely because we ran out of money.
legally /lˈiɡəli/ B1
You are legally required to wear a seat belt in the car.
lightly /lˈaɪtli/ B1
She touched my shoulder lightly and asked me to follow her.
majority /mədʒˈɔɹəti/ B1
The vast majority of students passed the final exam.
meanwhile /mˈinwaɪl/ B1
I'll cook the rice; meanwhile, could you cut the vegetables?
merely /mˈɪɹli/ B1
I was merely trying to help, not to criticize your work.
moreover /mɔɹˈoʊvɚ/ B1
The flat is too small, and moreover, the rent is very high.
naturally /nˈætʃɚəli/ B1
Try to speak more naturally and stop reading from your notes.
nevertheless /nɛvɚðəlˈɛs/ B1
The film was long and slow; it was, nevertheless, worth watching.
newly /nˈuli/ B1
They moved into a newly built flat near the river.
noisily /nˈɔɪzəli/ B1
The children were playing noisily in the garden all morning.
nonetheless /nʌnðəlˈɛs/ B1
The film was long; it was nonetheless one of the best.
nor /nˈɔɹ/ B1
She neither called me nor answered my messages last week.
normally /nˈɔɹməli/ B1
I normally take the bus, but today I walked to work.
nowhere /nˈoʊwɛɹ/ B1
I looked everywhere, but my keys were nowhere to be found.
obviously /ˈɑbviəsli/ B1
He was obviously tired, so we let him go home early.
occasionally /əkˈeɪʒənəli/ B1
I occasionally eat out, but usually I cook at home.
otherwise /ˈʌðɚwaɪz/ B1
We should leave now, otherwise we will miss the last train.
outweigh /aʊtwˈeɪ/ B1
The benefits of the plan clearly outweigh the risks involved.
particularly /pɑɹtˈɪkjəlɚli/ B1
The museum is particularly crowded on Sunday afternoons.
per /pˈɚ/ B1
The hotel charges eighty dollars per night for a double room.
permanently /pˈɚmənəntli/ B1
The old factory was permanently closed down last year.
permit /pɚˈmɪt/ B1
The school does not permit students to use phones in class.
personally /pˈɚsənəli/ B1
I personally think the first plan is much better than the second.
pleasantly /plˈɛzəntli/ B1
The hotel staff smiled pleasantly and carried our bags upstairs.
politely /pəlˈaɪtli/ B1
She politely refused the offer and thanked him for his time.
positively /pˈɑzətɪvli/ B1
Most customers responded positively to the new design.
primarily /pɹaɪmˈɛɹəli/ B1
This course is primarily aimed at students who work full time.
prohibition /pɹoʊəbˈɪʃən/ B1
There is a strict prohibition on smoking inside the hospital.
proof /pɹˈuf/ B1
You need to show some proof that you live at this address.
properly /pɹˈɑpɚli/ B1
The washing machine isn't working properly since we moved it.
provided /pɹəvˈaɪdɪd/ B1
You can borrow my car, provided you drive carefully.
publicly /pˈʌblɪkli/ B1
The company has never publicly explained why the project was cancelled.
rapidly /ɹˈæpədli/ B1
Prices are rising rapidly, so we should buy the tickets now.
rarely /ɹˈɛɹli/ B1
My grandfather rarely leaves the house in winter.
refuse /ɹɪfjˈuz/ B1
She may refuse to sign the contract without a lawyer.
regarding /ɹɪɡˈɑɹdɪŋ/ B1
I am writing to you regarding the meeting scheduled for next Monday.
relatively /ɹˈɛlətɪvli/ B1
The exam was relatively easy compared with the one last year.
repeatedly /ɹɪpˈitɪdli/ B1
He called her repeatedly, but she never answered the phone.
retrospect /ɹˈɛtɹəspɛkt/ B1
In retrospect, I should have taken that job in London.
rudely /ɹˈudli/ B1
He answered the customer quite rudely and later had to apologize.
safely /sˈeɪfli/ B1
The children arrived home safely after the long school trip.
secretly /sˈikɹɪtli/ B1
They were secretly planning a surprise party for their teacher.
severely /səvˈɪɹli/ B1
Two passengers were severely injured in the accident yesterday.
shortly /ʃˈɔɹtli/ B1
The manager will be with you shortly, so please take a seat.
similarly /sˈɪməlɚli/ B1
Prices rose in Tokyo, and similarly in the other big cities.
simultaneously /saɪməltˈeɪniəsli/ B1
The two films were released simultaneously in Japan and Korea.
slightly /slˈaɪtli/ B1
The room felt slightly colder after we opened the window.
socially /sˈoʊʃəli/ B1
Smoking indoors is no longer socially acceptable in most countries.
somehow /sˈʌmhaʊ/ B1
We somehow managed to finish the report before the deadline.
someplace /sˈʌmpleɪs/ B1
Let's go someplace quiet where we can actually talk.
sometimes /sˈʌmtaɪmz/ B1
My father sometimes walks to work instead of taking the bus.
specially /spˈɛʃəli/ B1
This cake was made specially for your birthday party tonight.
steadily /stˈɛdəli/ B1
Her English has improved steadily since she moved to London.
strangely /stɹˈeɪndʒli/ B1
He was acting strangely at dinner, so I asked if he was okay.
suddenly /sˈʌdənli/ B1
The lights went out suddenly and everyone stopped talking.
supposedly /səpˈoʊzədli/ B1
This restaurant is supposedly the best one in the whole city.
surely /ʃˈʊɹli/ B1
You have surely heard this song before, it's very famous.
surprisingly /sɚpɹˈaɪzɪŋli/ B1
The exam was surprisingly easy, so I finished it in twenty minutes.
terribly /tˈɛɹəbli/ B1
I'm terribly sorry, but I completely forgot our meeting.
throughout /θɹuˈaʊt/ B1
It rained throughout the weekend, so we stayed inside the house.
thus /ðˈʌs/ B1
The train was delayed and thus we missed the whole concert.
tightly /tˈaɪtli/ B1
She held the rope tightly so the small boat would not drift away.
totally /tˈoʊtəli/ B1
I totally agree with what you said about the new plan.
traditionally /tɹədˈɪʃənəli/ B1
Families here traditionally eat fish on the last day of the year.
typically /tˈɪpɪkli/ B1
The train typically arrives a few minutes before eight.
unexpectedly /ʌnɪkspˈɛktɪdli/ B1
The meeting ended unexpectedly early, so we went for coffee.
unfairly /ənfˈɛɹli/ B1
Many workers felt they were treated unfairly by the new manager.
unless /ənlˈɛs/ B1
We'll go to the park tomorrow unless it rains again.
unusually /ənjˈuʒuəli/ B1
The streets were unusually quiet for a Friday night.
via /vˈaɪə/ B1
We flew to Paris via Dubai because the tickets were cheaper.
violently /vˈaɪələntli/ B1
The old door shook violently in the storm all night.
visually /vˈɪʒwəli/ B1
The new website is visually much more attractive than the old one.
vividly /vˈɪvədli/ B1
I can still vividly remember the smell of my grandmother's kitchen.
whenever /wɛnˈɛvɚ/ B1
My little brother cries whenever he sees a big dog.
wherever /wɛɹˈɛvɚ/ B1
My dog follows me wherever I go in the house.
whether /wˈɛðɚ/ B1
I'm not sure whether she wants to come with us tonight.
whichever /wɪtʃˈɛvɚ/ B1
You can take whichever seat you like; they are all free.
wildly /wˈaɪldli/ B1
The crowd cheered wildly when the singer walked onto the stage.
abnormally /æbnˈɔɹməli/ B2
The temperature was abnormally high for early spring this year.
abruptly /əbɹˈʌptli/ B2
The meeting ended abruptly when the manager stormed out.
accordingly /əkˈɔɹdɪŋli/ B2
The rules have changed, so please adjust your plans accordingly.
actively /ˈæktɪvli/ B2
She actively participates in every meeting and never stays silent.
additionally /ədˈɪʃənʌli/ B2
The hotel offers free breakfast, and additionally, guests can use the gym.
adequately /ˈædəkwətli/ B2
Make sure you dress adequately for the freezing weather outside.
admittedly /ædmˈɪtɪdli/ B2
The plan was admittedly risky, but it worked out in the end.
advent /ˈædvɛnt/ B2
The advent of the smartphone changed daily life forever.
adversely /ædvˈɚsli/ B2
The drought adversely affected this year's entire wheat harvest.
affectionately /əfˈɛkʃənətli/ B2
Her old friends still call her affectionately by her nickname.
aggressively /əɡɹˈɛsɪvli/ B2
The company aggressively expanded into three new markets last year.
alongside /əlˈɔŋsˌaɪd/ B2
The young nurse worked alongside experienced doctors every day.
alternatively /ɔltˈɚnətɪvli/ B2
We could take the train, or alternatively rent a car.
amazingly /əmˈeɪzɪŋli/ B2
The old car runs amazingly well after all these years.
amongst /əmˈʌŋst/ B2
The rumor spread quickly amongst the students during the exam week.
antiaircraft /æntiˈɛɹkɹæft/ B2
The city was ringed with antiaircraft guns during the long war.
appropriately /əpɹˈoʊpɹiɪtli/ B2
Please dress appropriately for the formal dinner tonight.
artificially /ɑɹtəfˈɪʃəli/ B2
The prices were kept artificially low by heavy government subsidies.
assault /əsˈɔlt/ B2
The man was arrested and charged with assault after the fight.
attentively /ətˈɛntɪvli/ B2
The children listened attentively as the teacher told the story.
blindly /blˈaɪndli/ B2
Don't just blindly follow advice you read on the internet.
brilliantly /bɹˈɪljəntli/ B2
The young pianist played the difficult piece brilliantly at last night's concert.
broadly /bɹˈɔdli/ B2
The two proposals are broadly similar, though the details differ slightly.
burglary /bˈɚɡlɚi/ B2
The police are still investigating a burglary at our neighbour's house.
burial /bˈɛɹiəl/ B2
The family held a quiet burial for their grandfather last week.
calmly /kˈɑmli/ B2
She spoke calmly even though everyone around her was panicking.
casually /kˈæʒəwəli/ B2
She mentioned the news quite casually, as if it meant nothing.
cheerfully /tʃˈɪɹfəli/ B2
She cheerfully greeted every customer who walked through the door.
circumstance /sˈɚkəmstæns/ B2
Under no circumstance should you share your password with anyone.
coincide /koʊɪnsˈaɪd/ B2
My birthday and the festival happen to coincide this year.
coincidence /koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/ B2
What a coincidence to meet my old teacher at the airport!
comfortably /kˈʌmfɚtəbli/ B2
The apartment is big enough for a family to live comfortably together.
concerning /kənsˈɚnɪŋ/ B2
I have a few questions concerning the new contract terms.
confidently /kˈɑnfədəntli/ B2
She walked confidently onto the stage and began her speech.
considerably /kənsˈɪdɚəbli/ B2
Prices have risen considerably since we last visited here.
considering /kənsˈɪdɚɪŋ/ B2
She did remarkably well, considering she had no training.
conveniently /kənvˈinjəntli/ B2
The hotel is conveniently located near the train station.
conversely /kˈɑnvɚsli/ B2
Prices rose in the city; conversely, they fell in rural areas.
creatively /kɹiˈeɪtɪvli/ B2
She approaches every problem creatively rather than following old rules.
critically /kɹˈɪtɪkəli/ B2
Two passengers were critically injured in the highway accident last night.
cruelly /kɹˈuli/ B2
The prisoners were treated cruelly by the guards for many years.
culturally /kˈʌltʃɚəli/ B2
The two countries are culturally very different despite being neighbours.
damn /dˈæm/ B2
I can't open this damn door no matter how hard I push.

FAQ

How many English function words words are in this list?

386 words, including A1: 91, A2: 105, B1: 147, B2: 43. Every word has playable native audio and example sentences.

Are these words CEFR-graded?

Yes — every word carries its CEFR level (A1–C2), so you can start with the level you need.

What is the best way to memorise them?

Scene groups plus spaced repetition: listen, repeat, learn the word inside its example sentence, then review the next day. Wordwing has SRS and four quiz types built in.

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