Fry Word Lists
This list of 600 words compiled by Edward Fry contain the most used words in reading and
writing. The words on the list 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 six levels, roughly corresponding to grade
levels; then into groups of twenty-five words, according to difficulty and frequency. Each level
should be taught and assessed sequentially, with the goal of increasing fluency on these high
frequency words to the point that parallel processing can occur.
To determine where to start instruction, administer a word recognition test. Have the student read
the underlined 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. Note the
kind of errors the student makes when s/he mispronounces words so that there can be instruction
on specific skills. Teach decoding the unknown words by phonic, structural, or sight analysis.
Continue teaching and testing until both rate and accuracy are at "instant" recognition level. The
criteria for this is being able to read 100 words in ONE minute with 95% accuracy in the primary
grades, and 200 words per minute in intermediate grades.
It should be noted that a "ball-park" estimate of independent, instructional, and frustrational
reading levels could be determined by where the student begins to make errors in reading the
word lists--using the general criteria for word recognition levels as 95% is independent, 90% is
instructional, and less than 90% indicates frustration level.
Being able to decode individual words is essential to fluency in reading, but teachers must follow
up with phrase and sentence reading. When words are used in 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 application in both
decoding and spelling, patterns in words have been noted at the bottom of the first levels of first
levels of words lists, so extended practice on rimes and other generalizations can occur.
For the purpose of increasing fluency beyond individual word recognition, these high-frequency
words have been underlined and put into short three-word phrases. Students can improve both
speed and accuracy as they practice reading these phrases. There are words in tow columns with
a 95% accuracy and within ONE minute. In phrase reading, 150 words pretest should be given to
make sure students CAN read the phrases correctly before emphasizing fluency.
Students can have their own individual word/phrase lists at their desks and time built into the
schedule for them to practice reading them aloud to another student who monitors both the
reading and notes the time. It is important that ALL students begin on the first level so success is
established before moving on to more difficult words/phrases. When the student has had his/her
accuracy and rate validated by two students, s/he is ready to pass off the level with the teacher.
Two extension activities might include having students select several phrases and write complete
sentences with them, being held for good penmanship, punctuation, and content. Students could
also find phrases that tell where (by the house), when (in the morning), who (a tall girl) , what (a
big box), as well as other comprehension tasks.
FRY PHRASES
LEVEL 1
GROUP 1
FRY
PHRASES
GROUP 3
1. the little boy
14. it was over
1. to go home 14. a little dog
2. a good boy
15. work on it
2. see the dog 15. he has it
3. is about me
16. can come here
3. then they
went
16. sit by them
4. then you give 17. they will go
4. look at us
17. how do you
5. was to come
18. are so long
5. yes and no 18. like the book
6. old and new
19. three of them
6. play with
him
19. in our car
7. what we
know
20. before this one
7. by the
house
20. what do you
8. that old man
21. your little boy
8. he was
going
21. do you know
9. in and out
22. as long as
9. come to me 22. make a book
10. get the cat
23. but not me
10. get the cat 23. which one is
11. good for you 24. be here again
11. in or out
24. this much is
12. down at
work
25. have been good
12. one, two,
three
25. about his frog
13. with his cat
Total 75 words
13. to the
man
Total 75 words
Rimes and
Patterns
and, at, in, ot, it, an, ill, ut,
to, do, is, this, we, be, he,
me, she
Rimes and
Patterns
ee, en, et, ow(how), ow(know),
ake, ike, as, has, some, come, is,
his, or, for
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 2
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 4
1. he is it
14. when they come
1. who am I
14. before you go
2. I can go
15. so I went
2. an old cat
15. just one day
3. they are here 16. my little house
3. in their car
16. about this long
4. one by one
4. she has some 17. here it is
17. very good girl
5. good and wet 18. all around
5. a new school 18. get the other
6. came with me 19. would you like
6. he said it
19. our old car
7. about a dog
20. any good book
7. did not go
20. then take it
8. had a hat
21. have you been
8. a good boy
21. can use it
9. three little
dogs
22. we are out
9. three little
dogs
22. again and again
10. some good
cake
23, here and there
10. up and
down
23. would give him
11. up and down 24. from my mother
11. go to work
24. day after day
12. her green
hat
25. a nice day
12. put it out
25. many of them
13. say and do
Total 75 words
13. we were
Total 75 words
there
Rimes and
Patterns
FRY
PHRASES
LEVEL 2
ad, up, all, ay, so, no, go, my, by,
why, try, some, come
GROUP 5
Rimes and
Patterns
FRY
PHRASES
ew, old, ong, id, ust,
any, many
GROUP 7
1. saw a cat
14. could I go
1. may come
to
14. should we do
2. he let us
15. never would come
2. he let us
15. never would come
3. write the
word
16. look at that
3. write the
word
16. two books each
4. stand on
the
17. is my mother
4. these big
chairs
17. was the best
5. in the box
18. run out of
5. turn right at 18. at another time
6. the word is 19. at school today
6. The word is 19. it would seem
7. we should
leave
7. we should
leave
20. the pretty tree
8. came up to 21. all last night
8. her left
hand
21. was her name
9. a tall girl
9. more
people can
22. part of it
10. ¨ not make 23. begin to say
10. why not
make
23. the tall oak
11. find a rock 24. I think that
11. is done
better
24. next to the
12. because it
25. on the back
was
12. it was
under
25. please come to
13. made me
mad
Total 75 words
13. while the
rain
Total 75 words
Rimes and
Patterns
aw, ame, ind, ade, ook, un, ink,
ack, ight, could, would, other,
mother
Rimes and
Patterns
ore, ile, est, ame, ever, never,
other, mother, another, better,
letter
FRY
PHRASES
20. with the people
22. into my room
GROUP 6
FRY
PHRASES
GROUP 8
1. such a big
box
14. much to eat
1. dog ran
fast
14. near the dog
2. where it
was
15. want to say
2. five blue
balls
15. older than him
3. I am not
16. one year old
3. read very
well
16. in the open
4. a great ball 17. the white pine
4. over the
hill
17. kind and good
5. yesterday
morning
18. got a cup
5. such a
treat
18. must go now
6. live in a
19. wanted to play
6. on the way 19. high in the
7. four of them 20. found his dog
7. eat too
much
20. far and near
8. then at last
21. that was left
8. shall sing
for
21. both of you
9. color the
box
22. bring her home
9. my own
bed
22. end of the
10. putting it
away
23. men were there
10. most of
all
23. would go also
11. tall red hat 24. as you wish
11. sure am
happy
24. until we see
12. friend of
the
25. red and black
12. saw a
thing
25. call me now
13. to look
pretty
Total 75 words
13. only for
fun
Total 75 words
Rimes and
Patterns
ig, ast, am, ed, eat, ing, ear, ite,
ish, where, there, live, give,
found, round
Rimes and
Pattern
ive (five), ost, oo (too), ar, end,
ure (sure, cure, pure), uch
(such, much)
GROUP 9
FRY
PHRASES
GROUP 11
FRY
PHRASES
LEVEL 3
1. go ask her 14. please don't run
1. off his ship
14. around the yard
2. a small
tree
15. a fast race
2. his sister
went
15. close the door
3. a yellow
box
16. a cold day
3. my happy
mother
16. the bedroom wall
4. you may
show
17. must call today
4. once I went 17. gave some money
5. it goes
there
18. does come back
5. he didn't go 18. turn the corner
6. please
clean this
19. a pretty face
6. set the
table
19. might be late
7. buy a
present
20. little green box
7. round and
round
20. hard, long trail
8. say thank
you
21. go to bed
8. dress the
baby
21. go to bed
9. they will
sleep
22. I like brown
9. fail the test
22. fine black line
10. open the
letter
23. your red coat
10. wash the
clothes
23. along the way
11. jump the
wall
24. six people ran
11, car will
start
24. sat on the chair
12. by my
self
25. gave a gift
12.always
ready to go
25. I hope you
13. go fly
high
Total 75 words
13. anything
to wear
Total 75 words
Rime and
ast, ank, ave, ump, ee (sleep,
Rime and
et (get, bet, set, pet, met, wet,
Patterns
green), ea(each, leave, clean),
near, dear, year
FRY
PHRASES
GROUP 10
Patterns
yet), ard, ess, ail, art, ope,
ight(right, might, sight)
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 12
1. the black
hat
14. sit on the
1. start the fire
2. in his ear
15. the black dog
2. ten llittle boys 15. through he went
14. clothes are dry
3. write a letter 16. can you ride
3. was an order 16. at three o'clock
4. to try it
17, hot and cold
4. part was
missing
5. as for
myself
18. grow the seed
5. the early bird 18. water is warm
6. can no
longer
19. do not cut
6. the fat cat
19. the little town
7. those were
clean
20. seven people
came
7. a third team
20. took off his
8. hold on tight
21. the pretty
woman
8. was the
same
21. pair of mittens
9. full of water
22. the funny
monkey
9. were in love
22. now getting dark
10. please
carry it
23. yes it is
10. can you
hear
23. want to keep
11. eight little
ducks
24. as he ate
11. yesterday
he came
24. head and neck
12. would you
25. stop your car
sing
12. eyes are
blue
25. warm the food
13. food was
warm
Total 75 words
13. door was
open
Total 75 words
Rimes and
Patterns
ull (full, pull), ide
(ride, side, wide)
Rimes and
Patterns
ire(fire, hire, tire, wire), oor(door, poor),
ead(read, head, lead), air(pair, stair, chair)
FRY PHRASES
LEVEL 4
GROUP 13
17. second not last
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 15
1. the story told
14. across the ocean
1. said the word
14. feel the fur
2. miss the bus
15. a fenced yard
2. was almost lost
15. during the storm
3. with his father
16. a winter morning
3. he quickly thought
16. already had gone
4. the children moved 17. a round table
4. sent the letter
17. to one hundred
5. reached the land
18. a bedtime story
5. receive the gift
18. for the week
6. with an interest
19. because I'm
through
6. had to pay
19. walked between
them
7. in the government
20. sometimes I run
7. better than nothing
20. hard to change
8. within two feet
21. tried to run
8. what I need
21. being at home
9. the pretty garden
22. rode the horse
9. mean to cry
22. care and feeding
10. to be done
23. something for her
10. spoke too late
23. the right answer
11. only finished half
24. an interesting course
11. the country house 24. brought the salad
12. different from
them
25. the dancing shoes
12. afraid to fight
25. voted against it
13. the bad men
Total 75 words
13. was strong
enough
Total 75 words
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 14
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 16
1. time after time
14. a few came
1. wear your coat
14. it all began
2. has come yet
15. hit the ball
2. Mr. and Mrs.
15. clean air is
3. true or false
16. under the cover
3. in the side
16. young and old
4. above the door
17. the open window
4. the poor boy
17. was long ago
5. still, cool water
18. store the box
5. lost his book
18. around the world
6. meet me at
19. in the city
6. was cold outside
19. the airplane flew
7. since we started
20. are we together
7. the wind howled
20. without his lunch
8. a number of
21, the bright sun
8. Mrs. Brown said
21. do not kill
9. please state your
22. all my life
9. we learn by
22. ready set go
10. does it matter
23. across the street
10. held the book
23. please stay away
11. draw the line
24. at the party
11. only finished half
24. an interesting course
12. different from them 25. the dancing shoes 12. afraid to fight
13. the bad men
FRY PHRASES
LEVEL 5
Total 75 words
25. voted against it
13. was strong enough Total 75 words
GROUP 17
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 19
1. hour by hour
14. please talk louder
1. fry an egg
14. when you add
2. be glad that
15. when we want
2. on the ground
15. the dripping ice
3. follow directions
16. to the bank
3. a warm afternoon
16. broke the car
4. you have company
17. ship the box
4. feed the sheep
17. watch for children
5. would you believe
18. his business is
5. the boat trip
18. left all alone
6. begin at once
19. the whole thing
6. plan his work
19. to bend low
7. do you mind
20. a short stop
7. the question is
20. broke her arm
8. pass the meat
21. make certain that
8. the biggest fish
21. dinner was cold
9. try to reach
22. was not fair
9. return the gum
22. hair is brown
10, next month we
23. give the reason
10. call him sir
23. service the car
11. at this point
24. it's almost summer
11. would not tell
24. in class today
12. rest and relax
25. fill your glass
12. the huge hill
25. was quite short
13. he sent it
Total 75 words
13. The wet wood
Total 75 words
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 18
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 20
1. grade your paper
14. sing the note
1. spell a word
14. a tall lady
2. my big brother
15. time is past
2. a beautiful day
15. a treat tomorrow
3. remain there until
16. find her room
3. the sick car
16. ice and snow
4. glass of milk
17. flew overhead
4. because a teacher
17. for whom the
5. several years ago
18. at his office
5. will you cry
18. women and children
6. the long war
19. the cow stood
6. finish the work
19. among the leaves
7. are you able
20. will you visit
7. toss and catch
20. a rocky road
8. please change it
21. wait in line
8. the shiny floor
21. the farm animals
9. either you come
22. the teacher said
9. a broken stick
22. my famous cousin
10. change was less
23. is almost spring
10. great amounts of
23. bread and butter
11. train the dog
24. picture was gone
11. guess the answer
24. gave wrong directions
12. does it cost
25. the blue bird
12. paint the bridge
25. the space age
13. in the evening
Total 75 words
13. in the church
Total 75 words
FRY PHRASES
LEVEL 6
GROUP 21
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 22
1. became a man
14. minute by minute
1. demand a pencil
14. a tomato plant
2. a fat body
15. a loud ring
2. however you want
15. can you suppose
3. take a chance
16. who wrote it
3. in this case
16. by the law
4. act right now
17. make it happen
4. can you figure
17. was her husband
5. it will die
18. let's appear happy
5. increase your work
18. just that moment
6. in real life
19. a big heart
6. enjoy your study
19. my favorite person
7. must speak out
20. can swim fast
7. rather than walk
20. a sad result
8. it already ended
21. a felt hat
8. sound it out
21. he could continue
9. a good doctor
22. the fourth hour
9. eleven comes next
22. the lowest price
10. please step up
23. I'll say it
10. music in words
23. to serve well
11. all by itself
24. kept a long time
11. a human being
24. the national anthem
12. had nine lives
25. a deep well
12. in the court
25. wife and mother
13. the baby turtle
Total 76 words
13. may the force
Total 75 words
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 22
FRY PHRASES
GROUP 24
1. could see herself
14. study the book
1. was my aunt
14. he rode the
2. have an idea
15. a great fear
2. her system was
15. is my uncle
3. drop the pin
16. move your car
3. he will lie
16. the labor force
4. the wide river
17. she stood outside
4. the cause was
17. in public court
5. her smile glowed
18. as for himself
5. will she marry
18. I will consider
6. son and daughter
19. the strong man
6. it is possible
19. it happened thus
7. the bat flew
20. for they knew
7. I will study
20. was the least
8. is a fact
21. every so often
8. one thousand more
21. she has power
9. sort the clothes
22. toward the end
9. in the pen
22. made a mark
10. king of hearts
23. filled with wonder
10. his condition was
23. will be president
11. the dark street
24. twenty black birds
11. she said perhaps
24. a nice voice
12. kept to themselves
25. it was important
12. she will produce
25. must ask whether
13. whose coat is
Total 75 words
13. it was twelve
Total 75 words
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