Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence about common things.
Example: I drink water from a ___. (cup / chair / door)
Answer: I drink water from a cup.
Common Things Around Us
Every day, we use and see many common things. A bag, a chair, a clock — these objects are part of our daily life. In this lesson, you will learn the English names for common things you see at home, at school, and in everyday situations. Learning these words will help you talk about the world around you!
A Simple Situation
Meet Sara. It is Monday morning. Sara is in her kitchen. She has a cup of tea on the table. Her phone is next to her bag. She picks up her keys and goes to work. On the way, she buys a newspaper from a small shop. These are all very common things in everyday life!
Key Vocabulary & Meaning Breakdown
1. Things at Home
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| table | noun — a flat piece of furniture with legs, used for eating or working | The books are on the table. | We say "at the table" when sitting to eat. |
| chair | noun — a piece of furniture you sit on | Please sit on the chair. | A sofa is a big, soft chair for more than one person. |
| cup | noun — a small container for hot drinks like tea or coffee | She has a cup of tea. | A glass is for cold drinks like water or juice. |
| bed | noun — the furniture you sleep on | I go to bed at ten o'clock. | We say "in bed" (not "on the bed") when sleeping. |
| door | noun — the part of a room or building you open to go in or out | Please close the door. | You open and close a door. |
| window | noun — a glass opening in a wall that lets in light and air | She looks out of the window. | You open or close a window. |
| clock | noun — a device on a wall or shelf that shows the time | The clock on the wall says eight o'clock. | A watch is a small clock you wear on your wrist. |
| lamp | noun — a light you use indoors, often on a table or the floor | He turns on the lamp to read. | We turn on and turn off a lamp. |
2. Things You Carry or Use Every Day
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| bag | noun — a container you carry things in | My books are in my bag. | A handbag is a small bag. A backpack is worn on your back. |
| keys | noun (plural) — small metal objects used to open locks | I can't find my keys! | Usually used in the plural: "my keys," not "my key." |
| phone | noun — a device used to call people or use the internet | She looks at her phone every morning. | Also called a mobile phone or smartphone. |
| wallet | noun — a small flat case for money and cards | His wallet is in his pocket. | Women often use a purse. |
| umbrella | noun — a device you open above your head to stay dry in the rain | Don't forget your umbrella — it's raining! | You open or put up an umbrella. |
| pen | noun — a tool used for writing with ink | Can I borrow your pen, please? | A pencil uses graphite and can be erased. |
| notebook | noun — a small book with blank or lined pages for writing | She writes new words in her notebook. | Also called an exercise book in British English. |
3. Common Things Outside & in Shops
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| newspaper | noun — large printed sheets of paper with news and stories | My dad reads the newspaper every morning. | You read a newspaper. |
| ticket | noun — a small card or paper that lets you travel or enter somewhere | She buys a ticket for the bus. | You buy or get a ticket. |
| bottle | noun — a glass or plastic container for liquids | He drinks a bottle of water. | Common: a bottle of water, a bottle of juice. |
| box | noun — a square or rectangular container, usually with a lid | The chocolates are in a box. | We say "a box of chocolates" or "a box of cereal." |
| map | noun — a drawing that shows streets, towns, or countries | She uses a map to find the street. | You read a map or look at a map. |
| sign | noun — a board or notice that gives information | The sign says "No parking." | Signs give directions, warnings, or information. |
Collocations & Useful Expressions
A collocation is two or more words that go together naturally. Here are some useful collocations with common things:
open + the door / the window
Please open the door — it's very hot in here!
close + the door / the window
Can you close the window? It's cold.
turn on + the lamp / the TV
He turns on the lamp because the room is dark.
turn off + the lamp / the TV
Please turn off the lamp when you leave.
put + something + in + the bag
She puts her phone and wallet in the bag.
buy + a ticket / a newspaper / a bottle
I buy a bottle of water at the shop.
look at + the map / the sign / the clock
He looks at the map to find the hotel.
write + in + the notebook
She writes new vocabulary in her notebook.
a cup of + tea / coffee
Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?
a bottle of + water / juice / milk
He drinks a bottle of water every morning.
Important Differences & Confusing Words
Cup vs Glass
Both a cup and a glass are containers for drinks, but they are different:
- A cup is usually made of ceramic or plastic and is used for hot drinks like tea or coffee.
- A glass is made of glass and is used for cold drinks like water, juice, or milk.
She has a cup of tea. ✅
She has a glass of water. ✅
She has a cup of water. ❌ (unusual — water is a cold drink)
Clock vs Watch
- A clock is big and stays in one place — on a wall or a shelf.
- A watch is small and you wear it on your wrist.
There is a clock on the wall in the classroom.
She wears a watch on her left hand.
Pen vs Pencil
- A pen uses ink. You cannot erase it easily.
- A pencil uses graphite (a grey material). You can erase it with a rubber.
Please write your name with a pen on the form.
Children often draw with a pencil because they can erase mistakes.
Bag vs Box
- A bag is soft and you usually carry it.
- A box is hard with straight sides and often has a lid.
I carry my lunch in a bag.
The shoes are in a box.
Common Mistakes
❌ I am in the bed.
✅ I am in bed. — We do not use "the" when we say "in bed" (sleeping).
❌ She looks at her keys every day but she lose it.
✅ She looks at her keys every day but she loses them. — "Keys" is plural, so use "them."
❌ He has a glass of tea.
✅ He has a cup of tea. — Tea is a hot drink, so we use "cup," not "glass."
❌ I read the map with my eyes open the door.
✅ I look at the map. and I open the door. — Use "look at" with a map, and "open" with a door as separate ideas.
❌ The clock on my hand says three o'clock.
✅ The watch on my wrist says three o'clock. — A small clock you wear is a "watch," not a "clock."
❌ She writes her homework with a pen on her notebook.
✅ She writes her homework in her notebook. — We write in a notebook, not on it.
Common Things: Quick Summary & Review
In this lesson, you learned the names of many common things in everyday life. Here is a quick review of the main points:
- Things at home include a table, chair, bed, clock, lamp, door, and window.
- Things you carry every day include a bag, phone, keys, wallet, pen, notebook, and umbrella.
- Common things outside include a newspaper, ticket, bottle, box, map, and sign.
- Use cup for hot drinks and glass for cold drinks.
- A clock is on a wall; a watch is on your wrist.
- Write in a notebook, and write with a pen or pencil.
- Common collocations: open the door, turn on the lamp, buy a ticket, look at the map.
Now practise Common Things vocabulary in the exercises below.
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