What are high frequency words?

High frequency words are defined as commonly used words that often do not adhere to standard phonetic rules. These words make up a significant portion of written texts, and because they appear so frequently, they are essential for fluent reading. Recognizing these words quickly allows young readers to read more smoothly and effectively, enhancing their overall reading comprehension.

Words such as "the," "and," "is," and "was" are examples of high frequency words that may not be phonetically regular. Since these words appear often in texts, children are typically encouraged to memorize them rather than relying solely on phonetic sounds to identify them. This memorization facilitates faster reading and helps students focus on understanding the meaning of sentences rather than pausing to decode every word.

In contrast, the other choices refer to different concepts that do not align with the established understanding of high frequency words.