Wordle, the New York Times’ word-guessing game, is a popular online game that many people enjoy playing. One strategy that players can use is to start with common starter words that feature some of the most frequently used letters in the English language. For example, words like TRAIN and CLOSE are among the favorites of some players. To determine which letters are the most commonly used, one player reached out to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) for insights. The OED provided a list based on their analysis of all the main entries in the concise version of the dictionary.
The list provided by the OED may be from 2004, but the player believes it is still relevant since the alphabet has not changed since then. The analysis revealed that the most common letter in English is E, followed closely by A. These two vowels are much more popular than other letters, such as J and Q, which are at the bottom of the list. The letter E is over 56 times more common than Q in forming individual English words, according to the OED’s analysis. Additionally, there are more English words beginning with the letter S than with any other letter.
By knowing which letters are the most common in English, Wordle players can improve their gameplay by selecting words that contain these letters. The list provided by the OED ranks the letters of the alphabet according to their frequency in the 2004 Concise Oxford English Dictionary. Players can use this information to select the best starter words and increase their chances of guessing the target word in the game. Bookmarking this list and referring to it before each game can help players make more educated guesses and improve their overall performance.
Despite the age of the data provided by the OED, the information is still valuable for Wordle players looking to enhance their gameplay. The absence of new letters in the alphabet means that the rankings are likely still relevant today. Understanding which letters are the most commonly used in English can give players an edge in the game by helping them choose words that are more likely to contain the target letters. By utilizing this knowledge and incorporating it into their strategy, players can increase their chances of success and enjoy a more fulfilling gaming experience.
In conclusion, Wordle players can benefit from the insights provided by the OED regarding the most commonly used letters in English. By incorporating this information into their gameplay strategy, players can make more informed decisions when selecting starter words and improve their chances of guessing the target word in the game. While the data may be from 2004, the lack of changes to the alphabet ensures that the rankings are still relevant today. By using this list as a reference, players can enhance their Wordle experience and achieve better results in the game.
