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 Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
boulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
dragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I leaped for him his eyes fell upon me.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I leaped for him his eyes fell upon me.
figured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As I leaped for him his eyes fell upon me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
leaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I leaped for him his eyes fell upon me.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As I leaped for him his eyes fell upon me.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/
causing or relating to death
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
pressure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
released
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
scream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
struggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
thankful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Never in my life have I seen a more surprised mortal than this poor cave man.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As I leaped for him his eyes fell upon me.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His head was turned over his shoulder as I first saw him—he was looking back toward the village.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
windpipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He struggled a little at first, but finally lay still, and so I released the pressure of my fingers at his windpipe, for which I imagine he was quite thankful—I know that I should have been.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before he could utter a single scream of warning or alarm I had my fingers on his throat and had dragged him behind the boulder, where I proceeded to sit upon him, while I figured out what I had best do with him.
