Chapter IX

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ‘Oh, I thought about so many things.

anew

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

any thing at all

From this reading I have no talent for anything; I must be a very dull person to be with.’

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading I want to be educated over again; I’m very badly educated.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I want to be educated over again; I’m very badly educated.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I can’t play the piano, I can’t draw, and even sewing I do very badly.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading I can’t play the piano, I can’t draw, and even sewing I do very badly.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading I have no talent for anything; I must be a very dull person to be with.’

possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)

From this reading I want to be educated over again; I’m very badly educated.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

divisible by two

From this reading I can’t play the piano, I can’t draw, and even sewing I do very badly.

at any time

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I have no talent for anything; I must be a very dull person to be with.’

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

come to pass

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

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

From this reading ‘Oh, I thought about so many things.

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

From this reading I want to be educated over again; I’m very badly educated.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading ‘Oh, I thought about so many things.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I have no talent for anything; I must be a very dull person to be with.’

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

not any; not one

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading ‘Oh, I thought about so many things.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

above and across; more than

From this reading I want to be educated over again; I’m very badly educated.

a human being

From this reading I have no talent for anything; I must be a very dull person to be with.’

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading I can’t play the piano, I can’t draw, and even sewing I do very badly.

participate in games or sport

From this reading I can’t play the piano, I can’t draw, and even sewing I do very badly.

recurring again and again

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

joining or attaching by stitches

From this reading I can’t play the piano, I can’t draw, and even sewing I do very badly.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ‘Oh, I thought about so many things.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading I have no talent for anything; I must be a very dull person to be with.’

express in words

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading ‘Oh, I thought about so many things.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading ‘Oh, I thought about so many things.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

a source of difficulty

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

communicated in words

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

precisely as stated

From this reading I want to be educated over again; I’m very badly educated.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading I want to be educated over again; I’m very badly educated.

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

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

at the time that

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It’s a way I have had from childhood; ever since I used to live with mother--’ She uttered the word with an effort, and then repeated again-- ‘When I used to live with mother.… I used to think why it was no one could tell what would happen to him; and sometimes one sees trouble coming--and one can’t escape; and how it is one can never tell all the truth.… Then I used to think I knew nothing, and that I ought to learn.