CELPIP vocabulary: word and phrase lists by function, with examples
Paragon, which runs CELPIP, marks vocabulary on word choice, suitable use, range, and precision and accuracy, and says the English and vocabulary come from everyday situations. We found no word list on its pages. Below are our own phrase lists by function, with a sentence for each, plus the spelling pairs that catch people out.
People search for CELPIP vocabulary lists because they want to know which words to learn. This page shows what Paragon says the test checks, then gives you our own working lists, grouped by the job each word or phrase does. They are original, so you can use them without worrying about copied material. It is not immigration advice.
What the test assesses about vocabulary
Paragon marks word choice, range, precision and suitability, not difficulty.
Paragon, the company that runs CELPIP, says the test measures English in everyday situations, and it describes the vocabulary as taken from them. Its raters mark vocabulary as one of four dimensions in writing, with four named factors.
"Easy-to-understand English and vocabulary taken from everyday situations"
| Dimension | What Paragon lists under it |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary (writing) | Word choice, Suitable use of words and phrases, Range of words and phrases, Precision and accuracy |
The descriptors say the same thing in sentences. The table gives Paragon's wording for writing and for speaking at Levels 7 to 12. Writing Levels 10 to 12 come from Paragon's Scoring Levels page. Everything else comes from its level descriptors PDF, which covers the lower levels too. Our reading: the Speaking vocabulary lines on the Scoring Levels page are the same under Levels 10, 11 and 12, and they match the PDF's Level 12 lines, so we use the PDF for Speaking at every level.
Look at what moves: from common words and some context-specific words, to words that give precise detail, to a range of specialized, formal and common words. Our reading: nothing in it asks for rare words for their own sake, although the writing descriptors for Levels 11 and 12 do mention specialized words. The Speaking descriptors also list figures of speech and idioms: some at Levels 7 to 10, a range at Level 11 and a broad range at Level 12. So learn a few everyday idioms as well.
| Level | Writing: Vocabulary descriptor | Speaking: Vocabulary descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| Level 7 | Use common and some context-specific words to communicate meaning | Use common words and some more precise vocabulary to communicate meaning |
| Level 8 | Use common or context-specific words to communicate meaning | Use common words and some context-specific vocabulary |
| Level 9 | Choose words and phrases to provide accurate details, descriptions, and comparisons | Use common and context-specific vocabulary |
| Level 10 | Choose words and phrases to provide precise details, descriptions, and comparisons | Use a range of concrete and abstract language |
| Level 11 | Choose specialized, formal, and common words to express my meaning | Use a broad range of concrete and abstract language |
| Level 12 | Choose specialized, formal, and common words to express my precise meaning | Use a very broad range of concrete and abstract language |
Paragon's blog on tone makes the same point in plain words.
"In many cases, simple and natural language is the best approach. Clear communication is usually more effective than trying to impress the reader with complex vocabulary."
"Use diverse, rich, and natural vocabulary and ensure that your word choice is appropriate."
Our reading: build a working vocabulary that is large enough for the situations in the test, flexible enough that you do not repeat yourself, and natural enough that a reader never stops to wonder what you meant. The lists below are organised by what you want to do with words, because that is how the writing and speaking tasks ask you to use them.
Opening, requesting and closing an email
Task 1 words, in the order an email needs them.
These are ours. Each phrase is a common, natural way to do one job. Use them as models for building your own sentences, not as a script.
Opening and closing
| Phrase | Use it to | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| I am writing to ask about... | open with a question | I am writing to ask about the repair that was booked for Tuesday. |
| I am writing to let you know that... | give news | I am writing to let you know that I will be away for the next two weeks. |
| I am writing in connection with... | name the topic formally | I am writing in connection with the bill I received last month. |
| Thank you for your time and help. | close politely | Thank you for your time and help. I look forward to hearing from you. |
| Please let me know if you need anything else. | offer more information | Please let me know if you need anything else from me before Friday. |
| Kind regards / Best wishes | sign off (formal / warm) | Kind regards, Priya. Best wishes, Priya (to a friend). |
Polite requests and suggestions
| Phrase | Use it to | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Would it be possible to... | ask a favour | Would it be possible to move my shift to Thursday? |
| Could you please... | make a direct but polite request | Could you please confirm the new date by email? |
| I would appreciate it if... | say what you need | I would appreciate it if the noise stopped after ten at night. |
| I would be grateful if you could... | ask formally | I would be grateful if you could send me a copy of the receipt. |
| I would suggest... | offer an idea | I would suggest posting the repair dates on the notice board. |
| One option would be to... | offer a choice | One option would be to share the cost between all the tenants. |
Explaining a problem calmly
| Phrase | Use it to | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Unfortunately, ... | introduce bad news | Unfortunately, the heater has not worked since Monday. |
| The problem is that... | name the issue | The problem is that the lift is out of service every morning. |
| As a result, ... | show the effect | As a result, I have had to leave home an hour early. |
| I have already tried to... | show you made an effort | I have already tried to reach the office by phone twice. |
| This has caused... | describe the impact | This has caused a lot of inconvenience for my family. |
| I am concerned that... | state a worry | I am concerned that the damage will get worse. |
Giving reasons, opinions and examples
Task 2 words, and the connectors that carry any answer.
These are ours, and they work in writing and in speaking.
Giving your opinion
| Phrase | Use it to | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| In my view, ... | state a position | In my view, a community garden is a better use of the space. |
| I believe that... | state a belief | I believe that smaller classes help children more than tablets. |
| I am in favour of... | show support | I am in favour of closing the street to cars on weekends. |
| I would rather ... than ... | state a preference | I would rather have a shorter week than a longer weekend. |
| It seems to me that... | soften a claim | It seems to me that most people prefer a quiet park. |
| I prefer ... because... | choose and explain | I prefer Option A because it helps more residents. |
Reasons and results
| Phrase | Use it to | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| because | give a reason in the middle of a sentence | I chose the bus because it is cheaper. |
| since | give a known reason | Since I work evenings, a morning class does not suit me. |
| as a result | show a consequence | The road was closed. As a result, many shops lost customers. |
| therefore | state a conclusion | The garden is open to everyone. Therefore, it serves more people. |
| which means | add an effect | The train is often late, which means I leave home early. |
| owing to | give a formal reason | Owing to the heavy snow, the school closed for a day. |
Contrast and balance
| Phrase | Use it to | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| however | contrast two sentences | Parking is a problem. However, a shuttle could solve it. |
| on the other hand | show the other side | On the other hand, a car park brings in money. |
| although | admit a point inside one sentence | Although the garden costs more, it lasts longer. |
| while | compare two things | While buses are cheap, they are slow. |
| even though | stress a surprising contrast | Even though it rained, many people came. |
| despite | contrast with a noun or -ing form | Despite the delay, the event was a success. |
Examples, order and conclusions
| Phrase | Use it to | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| for example / for instance | introduce an example | For example, my neighbours use the park every evening. |
| such as | list examples inside a sentence | Public places such as parks and libraries bring people together. |
| in particular | point to the most important case | Older residents in particular need benches. |
| First, ... Second, ... | order your reasons | First, it saves money. Second, it saves time. |
| In addition, ... | add one more point | In addition, the garden would be good for local shops. |
| For these reasons, ... | close an argument | For these reasons, I choose Option A. |
Everyday word partnerships
Verbs and nouns that go together.
Natural English is built from partnerships. Learners often know both words and still pair them wrongly. These pairs turn up in the situations the tests use, such as work, housing, shops and services. They are ours, and each one is shown in a sentence.
| Partnership | Example sentence |
|---|---|
| make a complaint | I would like to make a complaint about the service I received on Saturday. |
| raise a concern | I want to raise a concern about the safety of the stairs. |
| reach an agreement | We reached an agreement about the cost of the repairs. |
| meet a deadline | The team worked late to meet the deadline. |
| take responsibility for | I take responsibility for the mistake and will fix it today. |
| arrange a visit | Could we arrange a visit from the technician on Wednesday? |
| book an appointment | I booked an appointment with my doctor for next week. |
| cancel a booking | I had to cancel my booking because I fell ill. |
| request a refund | I would like to request a refund for the damaged item. |
| report a problem | Please report any problem to the building manager. |
| make a decision | The council will make a decision about the park next month. |
| give notice | She gave notice to her landlord a month before moving out. |
| pay a deposit | You must pay a deposit to hold the room. |
| run out of | We ran out of time before the meeting ended. |
Plain words and stronger choices
A plain word is often right. Swap it for a stronger choice only when the stronger word fits the meaning exactly. Paragon's blog says simple and natural language is usually best, so treat this table as a way to avoid repeating yourself, not as a list of words to show off.
| Plain word | Stronger choices | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| good | helpful, reliable, convenient | The bus is a convenient way to get downtown. |
| bad | inconvenient, unreliable, harmful | The late bus is inconvenient for people who start work early. |
| big | major, serious, significant | The closure is a major problem for families. |
| very important | essential, vital | Clear information is essential for tenants. |
| problem | issue, difficulty, concern | The main issue is the lack of notice. |
| help | assist, support | The staff were happy to assist us. |
| think | believe, feel, consider | I believe a garden is the better option. |
| said | mentioned, explained, suggested | The manager explained that the repairs would take six weeks. |
Topic words for reading and listening
Words that come up in everyday messages and conversations.
Reading and listening use the same everyday situations. These topic words are ours, chosen for being common in workplace, housing and service situations. A few per topic is enough for a start. Learn them in sentences and by topic, not alphabetically.
| Topic | Words | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Work | supervisor, schedule, deadline, colleague, overtime, promotion | My supervisor changed the schedule so that I can leave early on Friday. |
| Housing | tenant, landlord, lease, deposit, utilities, maintenance | The lease says that the landlord pays for maintenance. |
| Shops and services | invoice, warranty, refund, subscription, appointment, complaint | The warranty covers repairs for one year. |
| Community | council, volunteer, permit, neighbourhood, fundraiser, recreation | The council needs a permit before closing the street. |
| Health | symptom, prescription, referral, check-up, specialist, waiting room | My doctor gave me a referral to a specialist. |
| Travel | itinerary, boarding pass, delay, layover, luggage, booking | Our itinerary changed because of a delay. |
"It’s all right if you can’t understand every word in a text, as you don’t need to understand everything to be able to get the main ideas and answer the questions."
That is Paragon's own advice about reading, and it applies to listening too. A strong vocabulary helps, but you do not need every word to answer a question.
Words that are easy to mix up
A few pairs that cost points in writing, and that a spell-checker will not catch.
The test has an automatic spelling checker. Paragon says it is sometimes hard to choose the right word when it offers you a choice. Our reading: a spelling checker mainly flags misspelled words and may not flag a correctly spelled word that is wrong for the sentence, so check these pairs yourself. The pairs are ours.
"The CELPIP Writing Test does include an automatic spelling checker, but keep in mind that it is sometimes difficult to choose the right word when the spelling checker offers you a choice."
| Pair | The difference | Example |
|---|---|---|
| affect / effect | Affect is usually a verb. Effect is usually a noun. | The delay will affect my plans, and it had a big effect on the team. |
| advice / advise | Advice is a noun. Advise is a verb. | I need your advice. Please advise me what to do. |
| accept / except | Accept means to receive. Except means not including. | I accept the offer. Everyone except Maria came. |
| then / than | Then is about time. Than compares. | First we ate, then we left. The bus is cheaper than the train. |
| loose / lose | Loose is not tight. Lose is to not win or to misplace. | The handle is loose. I do not want to lose my key. |
| its / it's | Its shows ownership. It's means it is. | The building has its own garden. It's open all week. |
| their / there / they're | Their shows ownership, there shows place, they're means they are. | They're parking their car over there. |
| whether / weather | Whether is a choice. Weather is the sky and temperature. | I do not know whether it will rain. The weather is cold. |
| borrow / lend | You borrow from someone. You lend to someone. | Can I borrow your pen? Can you lend me your pen? |
| fewer / less | Fewer goes with things you can count. Less goes with amounts. | There are fewer buses and less parking. |
How to learn the words so that they stay
Ours, with one tip from Paragon.
A list does nothing until you use it. Paragon's Reading study pack suggests the habit that works.
"Note down new words and their meanings in a vocabulary journal, and practice actively using them in your writing and speaking."
- Collect words from real sources: Paragon's reading passages, emails you receive, notices on your street, the news. Real examples show you how a word behaves.
- Write each new word with a short sentence of your own about your life. A sentence you wrote is easier to remember than one you read.
- Learn the partners and the form: make a complaint, a complaint about, complaining. A word is more than a meaning.
- Use five new words a week in a practice answer. Words you have never used will not come when you need them.
- Review the ones you missed before the next session. Spacing your reviews works better than one big review.
- Read your answers aloud. If a sentence sounds odd, a word is probably in the wrong place.
For ready-made practice prompts, see our CELPIP writing topics, and for the marking criteria see our CELPIP writing samples and CELPIP writing tips pages. The wider preparation picture is on how to prepare for CELPIP.
Common questions
We did not find a published word list on Paragon's pages. Paragon says raters look at word choice, suitable use of words and phrases, range, and precision and accuracy. Its preparation page names a Vocabulary Skills book as available in its online store, although the store page we read did not list one.
We do not offer one as a download. The lists on this page are plain text, so you can print the page or save it as a PDF from your browser. Paragon's preparation page names a Vocabulary Skills book as available in its online store, but the store page we read did not list one.
We found no word count and no required words on Paragon's pages. It says the English and vocabulary are taken from everyday situations. Learn the words for work, housing, shops, services and community, and the phrases that do jobs such as requesting, explaining and giving reasons.
No. Paragon's blog says simple and natural language is the best approach in many cases, and clear communication is usually more effective than trying to impress the reader with complex vocabulary.
Keep a vocabulary journal and actively use the new words in your writing and speaking, as Paragon's Reading study pack suggests. Learn words in sentences, and add a few to each practice answer.
No. Paragon says it is all right if you cannot understand every word in a text, because you do not need to understand everything to get the main ideas and answer the questions.