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Modus Vivendi
Modus Vivendi

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Modus Vivendi is here in full — 548 sentences across 110 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Modus Vivendi
Context Illustration Reading 1/109 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
_It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.
He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.
But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Modus Vivendi

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Modus Vivendi is here in full — 548 sentences across 110 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/109 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.
Line 2
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Line 3
_It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.
Line 4
He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.
/hiː mʌst bɪˈkɔːz hiː ɪz ˈdɪfərənt laɪv baɪ ˈʌðər weɪz/
Line 5
But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.
/bʌt wʌt meɪks ɪt soʊ ˈdɪfəkəlt ɪz ðæt fɔːr sʌm ˈriːzən hiː θɪŋks juː ɑːr ˈdɪfərənt baɪ ðə taɪm aɪ ɡɑːt tuː ðə ˈɔːfɪs aɪ wɑːz ˈdʒɪtəri æz ə nuː braɪd/

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.

Analog noun US /ˈænəlɔːɡ/

something having the property of being analogous to something else

From this reading “This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.”

copyright noun US /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

Extensive adjective US /ɪkˈstensɪv/

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

Fiction noun US /ˈfɪkʃən/

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading “This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.”

jittery adjective US /ˈdʒɪtəri/

characterized by jerky movements

From this reading “But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.”

publication noun US /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

research noun US /riˈsɜːrtʃ/

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

uncover verb US /ənˈkʌvər/

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

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.

other ways adjective + noun

In this reading “He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.”

some reason adjective + noun

In this reading “But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.”

any evidence adjective + noun

In this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

live with verb + particle

tolerate or accommodate oneself to

In this reading “_It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.”

All words in this reading · 62

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.

1961

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

AnalognounUS /ˈænəlɔːɡ/

something having the property of being analogous to something else

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.

bridenounUS /braɪd/

a woman who has recently been married

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.

copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

DifferentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

etext

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

evidencenounUS /ˈevədəns/

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

ExtensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

FactnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

FictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

It's

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

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

jitteryadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɪtəri/

characterized by jerky movements

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

liveverbUS /laɪv/

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

makesnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.

producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

SnounUS /es/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

SciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/

a person, without saying who

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

thinksnounUS /θɪŋks/

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

UnounUS /juː/

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

uncoververbUS /ənˈkʌvər/

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/

without doubt; certainly

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September 1961.

waysnounUS /weɪz/

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading He must, because he is Different, live by other ways.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _It's undoubtedly difficult to live with someone who is Different.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But what makes it so difficult is that, for some reason he thinks you are Different!_ By the time I got to the office, I was jittery as a new bride.

Chapter 1 of Modus Vivendi by John Berryman holds 548 sentences, grouped into 110 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 1 of Modus Vivendi contain?

Chapter 1 holds 548 sentences of Modus Vivendi, unabridged, divided into 110 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Modus Vivendi by John Berryman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 548 sentences, grouped into 110 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.

How do I study chapter 1 of Modus Vivendi?

Work through the 110 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 110 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Modus Vivendi

Common questions about reading Modus Vivendi by John Berryman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Modus Vivendi?

Yes. All 1100 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #30311 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Modus Vivendi is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #30311, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Modus Vivendi take to read?

About 91 minutes of reading across 220 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Modus Vivendi section by section

How to work through Modus Vivendi section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 2 chapters of Modus Vivendi to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Modus Vivendi

Words and structures a reader meets early in Modus Vivendi, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Etext
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Modus Vivendi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Produced
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Modus Vivendi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Analog
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Modus Vivendi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Science
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Modus Vivendi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.