Primarily due to the number of people who learn English as a second language, English is actually the most spoken language in the world—surpassing even Mandarin Chinese. About 1.5 billion people speak English at a proficient level.

As a native language, however, English ranks third—after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

The most frequently used letter in the English alphabet is E, while the least frequently used is Q, which typically requires a U to form most words.

The English word “set” holds the record for having the most individual meanings—estimated at around 400.

The most frequently used word in the English language is “the.”

English also has the largest number of unique words of any language, with over one million. This is partly due to its origins as a Germanic language that later absorbed a significant number of French words when a French-speaking family from Normandy ascended to the English throne.

Robert Cawdrey compiled the first English dictionary in 1604.

Before the Norman conquest, Old English was the language of England. It is virtually a different language compared to Modern English—similar to the difference between Latin and modern Italian.

William Shakespeare is credited with inventing approximately 1,700 words still used today in English. Notable examples include eyeball and fashionable. He also popularized the name Jessica.

The West Germanic language Frisian is the closest living relative to English. However, English remains the most unique among its Germanic cousins.

Before the Norman conquest, Old English was the language of England. It is virtually a different language compared to Modern English—similar to the difference between Latin and modern Italian.

English is the official or de facto language in over 60 countries. It is also the international standard language for aviation and air travel.

The first English Bible was completed in the 14th century. At the time, this was considered a blasphemous act, as the Catholic Church forbade translations of the Bible from Latin. Translating the Bible into English could result in execution by the state.

There are around 160 dialects of English.

Angry and hungry are the only two commonly known English words that end in -gry.