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 IT IS FROM A GIRL.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
Caribbean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
department
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
Eggert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
expeditious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IT IS FROM A GIRL.
GIRL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT IS FROM A GIRL.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
inquire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT IS FROM A GIRL.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT IS FROM A GIRL.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
mail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
postal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
reversed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
route
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
taught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is supposed to be a rule of the postal department to forward all mail by the most expeditious route, but previous experience in the Caribbean had taught me that the rule is reversed there in most cases.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The arrival of letters, both for myself and Miss May, the next day, made me forget everything else till mine were read and answered.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Eggert brought the things to us, having had sense enough to inquire at the office when he knew a steamer was in.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading I had not looked for them so soon and do not know yet what course they took to reach us.
