Every word is available to listen to. 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 THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
accidents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
anticipation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
careless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
complaint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
completion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
Contractors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
delays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
Felix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
inevitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
LIFEnounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
limit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
Muller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
retrospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
Rufus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
scheme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
Sterne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
unconsciously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
VALUE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
workmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.