A century of English essays

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of A century of English essays is here in full — 400 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Ernest [Compiler] Rhys • Curated US English Learning Edition

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_Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

I am then never less alone than when alone.

"The fields his study, nature was his book."

I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter VIII Reading 1/80

A century of English essays

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of A century of English essays is here in full — 400 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

_Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

Line 2

I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

/aɪ kæn ˌenˈdʒɔɪ səˈsaɪəti ɪn ə ruːm bʌt aʊt ʌv dɔːrz ˈneɪtʃər ɪz ˈkʌmpəniː ɪˈnʌf fɔːr miː/

Line 3

I am then never less alone than when alone.

/aɪ æm ðen ˈnevər les əˈloʊn ðæn wen əˈloʊn/

Line 4

"The fields his study, nature was his book."

/ðə fiːldz hɪz ˈstʌdi ˈneɪtʃər wɑːz hɪz bʊk/

Line 5

I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

doors noun US /dɔːrz/

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading “I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.”

enjoy verb US /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading “I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.”

fields noun US /fiːldz/

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading “"The fields his study, nature was his book."”

journey verb US /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading “_Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.”

Russell noun US /ˈrʌsəl/

United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)

From this reading “_Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.”

study noun US /ˈstʌdi/

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading “"The fields his study, nature was his book."”

walking adjective US /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/

close enough to be walked to

From this reading “I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.”

wit noun US /wɪt/

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading “I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

same time adjective + noun

In this reading “I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.”

in the world preposition + article + noun counted as “in … world”

In this reading “_Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.”

in a room preposition + article + noun counted as “in … room”

In this reading “I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.”

All words in this reading · 54

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading I am then never less alone than when alone.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am then never less alone than when alone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading "The fields his study, nature was his book."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

cannot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

enjoyverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

fieldsnounUS /fiːldz/

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading "The fields his study, nature was his book."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

GOINGnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "The fields his study, nature was his book."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

JOURNEYverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading I am then never less alone than when alone.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

MarynounUS /ˈmeri/

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

Mitfordnoun

United States writer (born in England) who wrote on American culture (1917-1996)

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I am then never less alone than when alone.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

pleasantest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

RussellnounUS /ˈrʌsəl/

United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading "The fields his study, nature was his book."

talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I am then never less alone than when alone.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I am then never less alone than when alone.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/

close enough to be walked to

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "The fields his study, nature was his book."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I am then never less alone than when alone.

witnounUS /wɪt/

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading I cannot see the wit of walking and talking at the same time.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading _Mary Russell Mitford._ ON GOING A JOURNEY One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey; but I like to go by myself.

Chapter 8 of A century of English essays by Ernest [Compiler] Rhys holds 400 sentences, grouped into 80 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 8 of A century of English essays contain?

Chapter 8 holds 400 sentences of A century of English essays, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of A century of English essays by Ernest [Compiler] Rhys exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 400 sentences, grouped into 80 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

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Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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