used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
Adams'snounUS /ˈædəmzɪz/
possessive form of “adams” — American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
agreementnounUS /əˈɡriːmənt/
the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
aimsnounUS /eɪmz/
plural of “aim” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
basicadjectiveUS /ˈbeɪsɪk/
pertaining to or constituting a base or basis
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
the two together, not just one
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
characterizationnounUS /ˌkerəktərɪˈzeɪʃən/
a graphic or vivid verbal description
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
educationaladjectiveUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃənəl/
relating to the process of education
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
estimatenounUS /ˈestəmət/
an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/
amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
Gibbon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
HarvardnounUS /ˈhɑːrvərd/
a university in Massachusetts
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
hopelesslyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpləsli/
in a hopeless manner
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
incomparablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpərəbli/
in an incomparable manner or to an incomparable degree
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
indictmentnounUS /ˌɪnˈdaɪtmənt/
a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
ismsnounUS /ˈɪzəmz/
plural of “ism” — a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
and nothing more
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
a brief written record
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
many times at short intervals
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
OxfordnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
privatelyadverbUS /ˈpraɪvətli/
kept private or confined to those intimately concerned
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
teachersnounUS /ˈtiːtʃərz/
plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I have often, however, tried to estimate just what my education did for my own incomparably less powerful mind.
hard to endure
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
underrateverbUS /ˌʌndərˈreɪt/
make too low an estimate of
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
unprofitableadjectiveUS /ənˈprɑːfɪtəbəl/
producing little or no profit or gain
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
precisely as stated
From this reading In looking back, it is of course very easy to underrate the real influence of one’s teachers.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
welternounUS /ˈweltər/
a confused multitude of things
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
in or at the place that
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I would not go quite as far as that in a blanket indictment of our educational system, but I must confess that to an outside but interested observer the system appears to be more and more hopelessly uncertain of where it is trying to go or what it is trying to do—a welter of “isms” in a sea of expense, without the slightest agreement as to basic aims.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading TO “BE” OR TO “DO” TO “BE” OR TO “DO” I A recent writer in a privately printed volume on education begins with the sentence: “What is the matter with our schools?—Everything.”
a late time of life
From this reading In the past couple of days I have happened to note both Gibbon’s characterization of his Oxford days as the most unprofitable of his whole career, and Henry Adams’s of his four years at Harvard as wasted.
