The 300 Most Common Words

A story by Bruce Sterling

    The of, and a to in, is you.   That it?   He for was on -- are as with
his they.  At be this:  "From I have, or by one had not;  but what all
were."  When we there can: an your which!

       Their said,  "If do will each about, how up out them?"   Then she
many -- some -- so these would other into.   Has more; her two, like him.
See, time could no make than first.

       Been its who, now.   People, my made over did, down only way.  Find
use; may water long -- little, very after.  Words called:  "Just where most
know!" 

    Get through, back much before go, good new write.  Our used me, man --
too any day.  Same right:  look, think, also around.  Another came; "Come
work!"   Three word:  "Must, because does."   Part, even place.   Well, such
here take!  Why?  Things help put years different!

      Away again.  Off went old number;  "Great,"  tell men.   Say!  Small
every found still between name?   Should Mr Home big give air line?  Set own
under? Read:   "Last?  Never us!"

     Left end: along, while might next sound.  Below, saw something!
Thought,  "Both? Few those always looked show large!  Often together!"
Asked house:  "Don't world going want?"

     School important -- until one form food keep children.  Feet land side
-- without boy!   Once animal's life, enough took sometimes four head!
Above, kind began almost live page.   Got earth need, far hand high.
"Year..." mother light parts -- "country father let night, following two
picture."

     Being study, second eyes soon times story boys.  Since white days ever
paper, hard near sentence better.   Best across during today; others,
however, sure means knew it's try.   Told young Miles:   "Sun, ways thing
whole.  Hear example:  heard several change."   Answer Room:   "Sea against
top, turned three... Learn? Point city!  Play toward five....   Using
himself, usually." 



Source: The American Heritage Word Frequency Book by John B. Carroll, Peter
Davies, and Barry Richman (Houghton Mifflin, 1971, ISBN 0-395-13570-2).