FRY INSTANT WORDS AND PHRASES
The Fry list* of 600 words—broken down into levels—contains the most used
words in reading and writing. The words on the lists make up almost half of the
words met in any reading task. Good readers decode words so that they are said
“instantly”, therefore assuring the automaticity essential to comprehension. The
words are divided into hundreds, according to difficulty and frequency, so each
level should be taught and assessed sequentially.
Instruction Guidelines: To determine where to start instruction, administer a
word recognition test. Have the student read the words aloud and continue until
s/he makes five or more errors in a group of 25 words. This indicates a frustration
level, and instruction should begin on the previous list. Teach decoding the
unknown words by phonic, structural, or sight analysis. Continue teaching and
testing until both rate and accuracy are at “instant” recognition. The basic criteria
for third grade is being able to read 150 words in ONE minute with 95% accuracy.
Being able to decode individual words is essential to fluency in reading, but the
teacher must follow up with phrase and sentence reading. When words are used in
a meaningful context, fluency is improved as well as comprehension. Because of
the high utility of the words in print, the words can also be used as basic spelling
lists AFTER reading is mastered.
For the purpose of increasing fluency beyond individual word recognition, these
high-frequency words have been underlined and put into short phrases. The
students can improve both speed and accuracy as they practice reading these
phrases. There are approximately 75 words on each page so an acceptable level of
fluency in first grade would be reading the words in two columns with 95%
accuracy within ONE minute. In phrase reading, 150 words per minute is a
reasonable rate for students ABOVE a first grade reading level. An untimed pretest should be given to make sure students CAN read the words in the phrases
correctly before emphasizing fluency.
*This revised list of 600 words was prepared by Dr. Edward Fry and taken from the most
frequently appearing words in print, according to scientific word counts done by Rinsland,
Thorndike, Lorge, Horne, Fitzpatrick, Dolch.
Cache School District is indebted to Dr. Nancy Livingston for making these lists, instruction
guidelines and activity ideas available to us, and for permission to post them here on our website.
FRY PHRASES
LEARNING CENTER ACTIVITIES
GRADES 2-6
The Fry phrase lists can be used as a vocabulary and spelling resource after the
student can read the phrases with both speed and accuracy (automaticity). The
following are some suggestions for independent activities for students:
1. Find as many opposites as you can: you/me, that/this, good/bad, her/his,
there/here, to/from, no/yes, day/night, new/old, down/up, boy/girl, stand/sit,
first/last, big/little or small, morning/night, white/black, cold/hot,
under/over, near/far, high/low, end/begin/ never/always, man/woman,
early/late, mother/father, funny/sad, different/same.
2. Look for plurals already in the lists, then make up some of your own.
3. Make a list of all the people in the lists: you, we, he, she, they, me, us, him,
man, them, boy, girl, mother, people, friend, man, woman, sister, father,
children, Mr., Mrs., family.
4. Find phrases that tell
who: a tall girl, the pretty woman, ten little boys
when: as soon as possible, last night, yesterday morning, at
another time
what: these big chairs, her left hand, five blue balls, pair of
mittens
where: around the yard, round and round, in the book, at
school today
5. Choose several phrases and use them to make up your own story, telling
who, when where, and what happened.
6. How many colors can you skim and find? How many numbers? Shapes?
Fry Phrases Level 1
Group 1
1. the little boy
14. it was new
2. a good boy
15. work on it
3. is about me
16. can come here
4. then you give
17. they will go
5. was to come
18. are so long
6. old and new
19. three of them
7. what we know
20. before this one
8. that old man
21. your little boy
9. in and out
22. as long as
10. not up here
23. but not me
11. good for you
24. be here again
12. down at work
25. have been good
13. with his cat
Total 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 2
1. he is it
14. when they come
2. I can go
15. so I went
3. they are here
16. my little house
4. one by one
17. very good girl
5. good and wet
18. all about
6. came with me
19. would you like
7. about a dog
20. any good book
8. had a hat
21. have you been
9. if you come
22. we are out
10. some good candy
23. here and there
11. up and down
24. from my mother
12. her green hat
25. a nice day
13. say and do
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 3
1. to go home
14. a little dog
2. see the dog
15. he has it
3. then they went
16. sit by them
4. look at us
17. how do you
5. yes and no
18. like the book
6. play with him
19. in our car
7. by the house
20. what do you
8. he was going
21. do you know
9. come to me
22. make a book
10. get the cat
23. which one is
11. in or out
24. this much is
12. one, two, three
25. about his frog
13. to the man
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 4
1. who am I
14. before you go
2. an old cat
15. just one day
3. in their car
16. about this long
4. she has some
17. here it is
5. a new school
18. get the other
6. he said it
19. our old car
7. did not go
20. then take it
8. a good boy
21. cat has been
9. three little dogs
22. again and again
10. up and down
23. would give him
11. go to work
24. day after day
12. put it out
25. many of them
13. we were there
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases Level 2
Group 5
1. saw a cat
14. could I go
2. at home again
15. in the book
3. as soon as
16. look at that
4. stand on the
17. is my mother
5. in the box
18. run out of
6. upon a time
19. at school today
7. the first one
20. with the people
8. came up to
21. all last night
9. a tall girl
22. into my room
10. a big house
23. began to say
11. find a rock
24. I think that
12. because it was
25. on the back
13. made me mad
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 6
1. such a big box
14. much to eat
2. where it was
15. want to say
3. I am not
16. one year old
4. a great ball
17. the white pine
5. yesterday morning
18. got a cup
6. live in a
19. wanted to play
7. four of them
20. found his dog
8. at last a
21. that was left
9. color the box
22. bring her home
10. putting away her
23. men were there
11. tall red hat
24. as you wish
12. friend of the
25. red and black
13. to look pretty
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 7
1. may come to
14. should we do
2. he let us
15. never would come
3. was to use
16. two books each
4. these big chairs
17. was the best
5. turn right at
18. at another time
6. who were present
19. it would seem
7. we should leave
20. the pretty tree
8. her left hand
21. was her name
9. more people can
22. very dear to
10. why not make
23. the tall oak
11. be done better
24. next to the
12. it was under
25. please come to
13. while the rain
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 8
1. dog ran fast
14. near the dog
2. five blue balls
15. older than me
3. read very well
16. in the open
4. over the hill
17. kind and good
5. such a treat
18. must go now
6. on the way
19. high in the
7. eat too much
20. far and near
8. shall sing for
21. both of you
9. my own bed
22. end of the
10. most of all
23. would go also
11. sure am happy
24. until we see
12. saw a thing
25. call me now
13. only for fun
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases Level 3
Group 9
1. go ask her
14. please don’t run
2. a small tree
15. a fast race
3. a yellow box
16. a cold day
4. you may show
17. must call today
5. a fast race
18. does come back
6. please clean this
19. a pretty face
7. buy a present
20. little green box
8. say thank you
21. for everyone
9. they will sleep
22. I like brown
10. open the letter
23. your red coat
11. jump the wall
24. six people ran
12. by myself
25. gave a present
13. go fly high
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 10
1. the black hat
14. sit on the
2. in his ear
15. the black dog
3. write a letter
16. can you ride
4. to try it
17. hot and cold
5. as for myself
18. grow the seed
6. can no longer
19 do not cut
7. those were clean
20. seven people came
8. hold on tight
21. the pretty woman
9. full of water
22. the funny monkey
10. please carry it
23. yes it is
11. eight little ducks
24. as he ate
12. would you sing
25. stop your car
13. food was warm
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 11
1. off his ship
14. around the yard
2. his sister went
15. close the door
3. my happy mother
16. the bedroom wall
4. once I went
17. gave some money
5. he didn’t go
18. turn the corner
6. set the table
19. might be late
7. round and round
20. hard, long trail
8. dress the baby
21. go to bed
9. fail the test
22. fine black line
10. wash the clothes
23. along the way
11. car will start
24. sat on the chair
12. always ready to go
25. I hope you
13. anything to wear
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 12
1. start the fire
14. clothes are dry
2. ten little boys
15. though he went
3. was an order
16. at three o’clock
4. part was missing
17. second not last
5. the early bird
18. water is warm
6. the fat cat
19. the little town
7. a third team
20. took off his
8. was the same
21. pair of mittens
9. were in love
22. now getting dark
10. can you hear
23. want to keep
11. yesterday he came
24. head and neck
12. eyes are blue
25. warm the food
13. door was open
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases Level 4
Group 13
1. the story told
14. across the ocean
2. miss the bus
15. a fenced yard
3. with his father
16. a winter morning
4. the children moved
17. a round table
5. reached the land
18. a bedtime story
6. with great interest
19. because I‘m through
7. in the government
20. sometimes I run
8. within two feet
21. tried to run
9. the beautiful garden
22. rode the horse
10. to be done
23. something for her
11. the country house
24. brought the salad
12. different from them
25. the dancing shoes
13. the bad men
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 14
1. time after time
14. a few came
2. has come yet
15. hit the ball
3. true or false
16. under the cover
4. above the door
17. the open window
5. still, cool water
18. store the box
6. meet me at
19. in the city
7. since we started
20. are we together
8. a number of
21. the bright sun
9. please state your
22. all my life
10. does it matter
23. across the street
11. draw the line
24. at the party
12. did you remember
25. suit was ready
13. the large hen
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 15
1. said the word
14. feel the fur
2. was almost lost
15. during the storm
3. he quickly thought
16. already had gone
4. sent the letter
17. to one hundred
5. receive the gift
18. for the week
6. had to pay
19. walked between them
7. better than nothing
20. hard to change
8. what I need
21. being at home
9. mean to cry
22. care and feeding
10. spoke too late
23. the right answer
11. only finished half
24. an interesting course
12. afraid to fight
25. voted against it
13. was strong enough
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 16
1. wear your coat
14. it all began
2. Mr. and Mrs.
15. clean air is
3. in the side
16. young and old
4. the poor boy
17. was long ago
5. lost his book
18. around the world
6. was cold outside
19. the airplane flew
7. the wind howled
20. without his lunch
8. Mrs. Brown said
21. do not kill
9. we learn by
22. ready set go
10. held the book
23. please stay away
11. the front door
24. wont you come
12. it was built
25. the paper flower
13. in the family
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases Level 5
Group 17
1. hour by hour
14. please talk louder
2. be glad that
15. when we want
3. follow my directions
16. to the bank
4. you have company
17. ship the box
5. would you believe
18. his business is
6. begin at once
19. the whole thing
7. do you mind
20. a short stop
8. pass the meat
21. make certain that
9. try to reach
22. was not fair
10. next month we
23.
11. at this point
24. it’s almost summer
12. rest and relax
25. fill your glass
13. he sent it
give the reason
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 18
1. grade your paper
14. sing the note
2. my big brother
15. time is past
3. remain there until
16. find her room
4. glass of milk
17. flew overhead
5. several years ago
18. at his office
6. the long war
19. the cow stood
7. are you able
20. will you visit
8. please change it
21. wait in line
9. either you come
22. the teacher said
10. change was less
23. is almost spring
11. train the dog
24. picture was gone
12. does it cost
25. the blue bird
13. in the evening
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 19
1. fry an egg
14. when you add
2. on the ground
15. the dripping ice
3. a sunny afternoon
16. broke the car
4. feed the sheep
17. watch for children
5. the boat trip
18. left all alone
6. plan his work
19. to bend low
7. the question is
20. broke her arm
8. the biggest fish
21. dinner was cold
9. return the gum
22. hair is brown
10. call him sir
23. service the car
11. would not tell
24. in class today
12. the huge hill
25. was quite short
13. the wet wood
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 20
1. spell a word
14. a tall lady
2. a beautiful picture
15. a treat tomorrow
3. the sick cat
16. ice and snow
4. because a teacher
17. for whom the
5. will you cry
18. women and children
6. finish the work
19. among the leaves
7. toss and catch
20. a rocky road
8. the shiny floor
21. the farm animals
9. a broken stick
22. my famous cousin
10. great amounts of
23. bread and butter
11. guess the answer
24. gave wrong directions
12. paint the bridge
25. the space age
13. in the church
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases Level 6
Group 21
1. became a man
14. minute by minute
2. a fat body
15. a loud ring
3. take a chance
16. who wrote it
4. act right now
17. make it happen
5. it will die
18. let’s appear happy
6. in real life
19. a big heart
7. must speak out
20. can swim fast
8. it already ended
21. a felt hat
9. a good doctor
22. the fourth hour
10. please step up
23. I’ll say it
11. all by itself
24. kept a long time
12. had nine lives
25. a deep well
13. the baby turtle
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 22
1. could see herself
14. study the book
2. have an idea
15. a great fear
3. drop the pin
16. move your car
4. the wide river
17. she stood outside
5. her smile glowed
18. as for himself
6. son and daughter
19. the strong man
7. the bat flew
20. for they knew
8. is a fact
21. every so often
9. sort the clothes
22. toward the end
10. king of hearts
23. filled with wonder
11. the dark street
24. twenty black birds
12. kept to themselves
25. it was important
13. whose coat is
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 23
1. demand a pencil
14. a tomato plant
2. however you want
15. can you suppose
3. in this case
16. by the law
4. can you figure
17. was her husband
5. increase your work
18. just that moment
6. enjoy your study
19. my favorite person
7. rather than walk
20. a sad result
8. sound it out
21. he could continue
9. eleven comes next
22. the lowest price
10. music in words
23. to serve well
11. a human being
24. the national anthem
12. in the court
25. wife and mother
13. may the force
Total: 75 words
Fry Phrases
Group 24
1. was my aunt
14. he rode the
2. her system was
15. is my uncle
3. he will lie
16. the labor force
4. the cause was
17. in public court
5. will she marry
18. I will consider
6. it is possible
19. it happened thus
7. I will study
20. was the least
8. one thousand more
21. she has power
9. in the pen
22. made a mark
10. his condition was
23. will be president
11. she said perhaps
24. a nice voice
12. she will produce
25. must ask whether
13. it was twelve
Total: 75 words