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 I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
amazingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
applying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
approaches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
ASconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
assault
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
Chicago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
CLERK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
COLLINGSBY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
counting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
ENGAGED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
ENTRY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
gradual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
Messrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
partner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
PHIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
separated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
tempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I intended to be a clerk, but I had not thought of such a thing as applying for a situation in Chicago.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
vacancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
violentnounUS /ˈviolent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I did not expect or desire to make a violent assault upon my grandfather, but to reach him by easy and gradual approaches.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I did not like the idea of being separated from my father; but, when I learned that there was a vacancy in the counting-room of Messrs. Collingsby and Whippleton, I was tempted to obtain it if I could.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
WHIPPLETON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS ENGAGED AS ENTRY CLERK FOR COLLINGSBY AND WHIPPLETON.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A situation in the house of which he was the silent partner I thought would help me amazingly.
