505 Phrase List ’s topics
Most frequent
51 words
2nd most frequent
49 words
3rd most frequent
48 words
4th most frequent
51 words
5th most frequent
51 words
6th most frequent
50 words
7th most frequent
50 words
8th most frequent
50 words
9th most frequent
52 words
10th most frequent
51 words
505 Phrase List
505 Phrase List is a listing of the most common multiword expressions in English of a certain type, intended to be used as a complement to existing lists and instruments of second language instruction that use them. The list was created by Ron Martinzez and Norbert Schmitt using the 100 million word British National Corpus. The list is divided into 10 groups which are introduced in word frequency order. We hope that you find the list useful.
503 words / 10 topics
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pick up
phrasal verb
/pɪk ʌp/
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go somewhere to collect someone, typically in one's car.
She dropped by to pick up her friend.
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sort of
phrase
/sɔrt əv/
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Definition
used to describe that something is partly true but it’s not the entire explanation. Or that something is difficult to explain entirely.
Your answer is sort of correct but there’s a bit more to it that that.
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such
adj
/sʌtʃ/
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used to emphasize the great degree of something
She had such a strange sense of humor.
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take place
phrasal verb
/teɪk pleɪs/
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to happen, especially after previously being arranged or planned
No one was sure exactly why it took place there.
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used to
modal verb
/just tu/
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Definition
shows that a particular thing always happened or was true in the past
We don’t go to the movies now as often as we used to.
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deal with
phrasal verb
/dɪl wɪð/
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to take action to do something, especially to solve a problem
The police had several issues to deal with.
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due to
prep
/du tu/
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Definition
because of
Many people believe it is due to global warming.
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have to
verb
/hæv tu/
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Definition
used to show that you must do something
I exercise because I have to.
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in order to
idiom
/ɪn ˈɔrdər tu/
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Definition
with the purpose or intention of doing or achieving something
We shared a room in order to reduce costs
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as well as
conj
/əz wɛl əz/
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in addition to, and
We have a responsibility to our community as well as to our families.
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I mean
idiom
/aɪ min/
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Definition
in other words
It’s fine, but, I mean, is it worth the price?
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lead to
phrasal verb
/lid tu/
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Definition
to be an introduction to or the cause of something
Excessive smoking can lead to heart disease.
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tend to
phrasal verb
/tɛnd tu/
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Definition
to be likely to do something or to happen in a particular way
I tend to think it’s actually a political matter.
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based on
adj,phrase
/beɪst ɔn/
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Definition
used an idea, a fact, a situation, etc. as the point from which something can be developed
Based on the reports, it seems it was an accident.
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be going to
phrase
/bi ˈɡoʊɪŋ tu/
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used to show what somebody intends to do in the future
"I'll be going to Wembley this Saturday.
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in terms of something
phrase
/ɪn tərmz əv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
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Definition
used to show what aspect of a subject you are talking about or how you are thinking about it
If history is any kind of indicator, by 2013 we'll return to money defined in terms of something real.
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there is
phrase
/ðɛr ɪz/
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Definition
used to describe that something exists or is in a certain place
There is a temple on the top of the hill
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as to
phrase
/əz tə/
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Definition
with regard to, according to
There was some confusion as to its whereabouts.
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as if
idiom
/əz ɪf/
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Definition
in a way that suggests something
They walked together as if no time had passed.
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fail to
phrasal verb
/feɪl tu/
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Definition
to not be able to do what you are trying to achieve or are expected to do
The secretary failed to call the customer and the company lost the account
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in fact
adv
/ɪn fækt/
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Definition
to indicate that you are giving more detailed information about what you have just said.
Painters who are in fact anything but unsophisticated
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look for
phrasal verb
/lʊk fɔr/
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Definition
to search for someone or something
We are looking for a partner in a new business venture.
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no longer
phrase
/nou ˈlɔŋɡər/
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Definition
used to say that something which was possible or true before, is not now
Fortunately, it is no longer a concern now.
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at least
idiom
/ət list/
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Definition
anyway; the good thing is that
We've run out of coffee, but at least we still have tea.
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a little
adv
/ə ɭɪtɭ/
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Definition
to a small degree or somewhat
"I am a little hungry, so let us buy some snacks."
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of course
adv
/ʌv kɔrs/
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Definition
definitely or as might be expected
"Of course, I will be at the party!"
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set up
verb
/sɛt ʌp/
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Definition
to arrange, organize or prepare
"I need to set up a sound system for tonight's party."
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not only
adv
/nat oʊnɭi/
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Definition
used to say that two related statements are true
Not only is she pretty, but she's also very smart.
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a few
adj
/ə fju/
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Definition
small in number
"I bought a few things at the convenience store."
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following
adj
/ˈfɑl·oʊ·ɪŋ/
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Definition
the thing or things that you are about to mention
The following items were found – a ring, a wallet, and a watch.
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a single
adj
/ˈsɪŋ·ɡəl/
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one only
A single customer was left in the shop.
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rather than
adv
/[ˈræðər ðæn]/
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Definition
used for saying that one thing is preferred to another or happens instead of another
She wants us to meet her here rather than go to her apartment.
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used to
modal verb
/ˈjus·tu, -tə/
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Definition
done or experienced in the past, but no longer done or experienced
We don’t go to the movies now as often as we used to.
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no one
pron
/ˈnoʊ ˌwʌn/
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Definition
not any person
I called twice, but no one answered.
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each other
pron
/itʃ ˈʌð·ər/
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Definition
(not used as the subject of a sentence) the other person, or any or all the other people in a group
The couple kept looking at each other and smiling.
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a lot
adj
//ə lɒt/
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Definition
a large number; a bunch
"She smiles a lot when she's happy."
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carry out
phrasal verb
/ˈkæri aʊt/
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Definition
to perform; to do
The soldiers are going to carry out their mission tonight.
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such as
idiom
/sʌtʃ əz/
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Definition
for example
"I listen to music such as rock and classical."
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so that
conj
/ soʊ ðæt, ðət/
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Definition
used to introduce a clause of purpose
Park it so that the wheels are curbed.
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a bit of
adv
/ ə bɪt ʌv, ɑv, əv/
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a small amount of something
There was a bit of drama today at the office.
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to be likely to
expression
/ tu bi ˈlɑɪk·li tu/
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Definition
to indicate that something is probably the case or will probably happen in a particular situation
That disease is known to be likely to cause death.
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go on
phrasal verb
/ ɡoʊ ɔn/
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Definition
to continue doing something or being in a situation
I'm all right here. Go on with your work.
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is to
undefined
/ ɪz tu/
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Definition
used to express an action which will happen (in the future)
Obama is to address the media this afternoon.
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a number of
adv
/[eɪ ˈnʌmbər ʌv]/
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an unspecified number of; several or many
A number of concerns were raised.
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at all
idiom
/ət ɔl/
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Definition
(used for emphasis) in any way; to any extent.
I'm afraid I have nothing at all to say.
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was to
expression
/ wəz tu/
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Definition
used when talking about a time in the past to say what happened later
The message was to be transmitted worldwide.
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those who
undefined
/ ðoʊz hu/
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Definition
people who
He would defend those who had no voice.
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have got to
verb
/hæv gɑt tu/
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Definition
You use have got to when you are saying that something is necessary or must happen in the way stated.
I'm not happy with the situation, but I have got to accept it.
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as well
idiom
/æz wel/
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Definition
in addition; too
They advertised the new movie on television, and in newspapers as well.
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up to
prep
/ʌp tu/
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Definition
indicating a maximum amount
The process is expected to take up to two years.
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have got
verb
/hæv ɡɑt/
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used in present tense situations usually in informal writing and in ordinary speech
I have got 3 dogs and 2 cats.
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