How many words does a modern writer use compared with Shakespeare?

It's difficult to pinpoint an exact number as language usage and vocabulary evolve over time. However, studies suggest that modern English contains around 250,000 words, while the English of Shakespeare's time during the 16th and 17th centuries consisted of roughly 150,000 to 200,000 words. Shakespeare himself is believed to have used an extensive vocabulary of over 20,000 words in his works.

Modern English has expanded its lexicon due to the introduction of new scientific, technical, political, and cultural terms, among other factors. Nonetheless, Shakespeare's linguistic creativity and the complexity of his language continue to be widely admired and studied.