Knowing classroom objects in English helps you follow a lesson, ask for supplies and explain what you need. You might borrow a ruler, open a workbook or hand a worksheet to your teacher. This guide groups useful objects by purpose and shows how to talk about them in natural sentences.
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Objects on your desk
Learn each name with a short action: sharpen a pencil, open a notebook or underline a word. That gives you something you can say immediately. Several familiar objects have different names in British and American English.
| Object | What it is for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pen | Writing with ink. | Could I borrow a blue pen? |
| pencil | Writing or drawing marks you can erase. | Write your first answer in pencil. |
| eraser / rubber | Removing pencil marks; rubber is common in British English. | Have you got an eraser? |
| pencil sharpener | Making the point of a pencil sharp. | My pencil sharpener is in my bag. |
| ruler | Measuring length and drawing straight lines. | Use a ruler to draw the border. |
| highlighter | Marking important text with a bright colour. | Mark the key dates with a highlighter. |
| notebook | A book with pages for your own notes. | Write the new words in your notebook. |
| textbook | A book that explains the subject you are studying. | The explanation is in the textbook. |
| workbook | A book containing practice tasks. | Complete page twelve of the workbook. |
| worksheet | A sheet containing information or tasks. | Put your name on the worksheet. |
Storage and craft supplies
A folder holds loose papers; a ring binder holds pages using metal rings. A pencil case holds small writing tools. Stationery is the general word for writing supplies; stationary means not moving.
| Object | Useful phrase | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pencil case | zip up a pencil case | Put the pens in your pencil case. |
| folder | a folder for worksheets | Keep this sheet in your folder. |
| ring binder | put a page in a binder | Open the rings before adding the page. |
| backpack / schoolbag | pack a schoolbag | I left my schoolbag by the door. |
| scissors | a pair of scissors | Please pass me a pair of scissors. |
| glue stick | use a glue stick | Use a glue stick to attach the picture. |
| paper | a sheet of paper | Take one sheet of paper each. |
| coloured pencils | a box of coloured pencils | Use coloured pencils for the diagram. |
| sticky notes | write on a sticky note | Put each idea on a sticky note. |
| stapler | staple pages together | The stapler is on the teacher’s desk. |
Objects around the classroom
| Object | Meaning or use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| desk | A surface for writing and working. | Move your desk slightly forward. |
| chair | A seat with a back. | There is a spare chair near the wall. |
| whiteboard | A board written on with suitable markers. | Look at the example on the whiteboard. |
| board marker | A pen designed for a whiteboard. | Use a board marker, not a permanent marker. |
| board eraser | A tool for cleaning the board. | Where is the board eraser? |
| screen | A surface displaying projected or digital images. | Can everyone see the screen? |
| projector | A device that displays images on a surface. | The projector is connected to the laptop. |
| bookshelf | A shelf for books. | Return the dictionary to the bookshelf. |
| noticeboard / bulletin board | A board for announcements. | The timetable is on the noticeboard. |
| bin / trash can | A container for rubbish. | Put the scraps in the bin. |
Use this or that with a singular object: “Is this your workbook?” Use these or those with plural objects: “Are these your coloured pencils?” The verb changes from is to are as well.
Paper, glue and scissors: avoid common mistakes
When paper means the material, it is usually uncountable. Ask for “some paper” or “two sheets of paper,” rather than “two papers.” Similarly, say “some glue”; use “a glue stick” or “a bottle of glue” when counting containers or items.
Scissors normally takes a plural verb: “The scissors are on the desk.” To count the tool, say “one pair of scissors” or “two pairs of scissors.” With a pair as the subject, the verb is singular: “This pair of scissors is blunt.” See the Cambridge scissors entry for the standard noun pattern.
Ask to borrow something politely
Learner: Could I borrow your ruler, please?
Partner: Of course. Here you are.
Learner: Thanks. I’ll give it back after this task.
Partner: No problem. Could you lend me a pencil?
Learner: Yes, I’ve got a spare one.
You borrow something from someone; you lend something to someone. “Can you borrow me a ruler?” mixes up the two directions. Say “Can you lend me a ruler?” or “Can I borrow your ruler?”
Practice: complete the classroom requests
Choose the word or phrase that fits each situation. Use the context rather than matching only one familiar word.
- I need to measure this line. Could I borrow your ______? (ruler / highlighter)
- Please give me two ______ of paper. (pairs / sheets)
- These scissors ______ blunt. (is / are)
- Could you ______ me your eraser? (lend / borrow)
- Put the loose worksheet in your ______. (folder / sharpener)
- I buy pens and notebooks from the ______ shop. (stationery / stationary)
Answers
1. Ruler, because you need to measure. 2. Sheets, the counting unit for paper. 3. Are, because scissors is plural. 4. Lend, because the other person gives you the item temporarily. 5. Folder, which holds papers. 6. Stationery, the noun for writing supplies.
For a final speaking task, describe five things in your bag using a full sentence for each. Then ask a partner to lend you one item and explain when you will return it. To practise classroom actions next, read common teacher instructions in English.
