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The Comic English Grammar
The Comic English Grammar

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Comic English Grammar is here in full — 17 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Comic English Grammar
Context Illustration Reading 1/3 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
OF SYLLABLES.
Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!
A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”
Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.
Comic spelling is usually the work of imagination.
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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.

The Comic English Grammar

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Comic English Grammar is here in full — 17 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/3 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
OF SYLLABLES.
/ʌv ˈsɪləbəlz/
Line 2
Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!
Line 3
A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”
Line 4
Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.
/ˈspelɪŋ ɪz ðə ɑːrt ʌv ˈpʌtɪŋ təˈɡeðər ðə ˈletərz wɪtʃ kəmˈpoʊz ə ˈsɪləbəl ɔːr ðə ˈsɪləbəlz wɪtʃ kəmˈpoʊz ə wɜːrd/
Line 5
Comic spelling is usually the work of imagination.
/ˈkɑːmɪk ˈspelɪŋ ɪz ˈjuːʒəwəli ðə wɜːrk ʌv ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/

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.

Comic adjective US /ˈkɑːmɪk/

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading “Comic spelling is usually the work of imagination.”

compose verb US /kəmˈpoʊz/

form the substance of

From this reading “Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.”

compound noun US /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/

a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts

From this reading “A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!””

constitute verb US /ˈkɑːnstətuːt/

form or compose

From this reading “A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!””

lark noun US /lɑːrk/

North American songbirds having a yellow breast

From this reading “A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!””

spelling noun US /ˈspelɪŋ/

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading “Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.”

syllable noun US /ˈsɪləbəl/

a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme

From this reading “Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!”

syllables noun US /ˈsɪləbəlz/

plural of “syllable” — a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme

From this reading “OF SYLLABLES.”

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.

produced by verb + particle counted as “produce by”

In this reading “A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!””

All words in this reading · 45

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

ComicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading Comic spelling is usually the work of imagination.

composeverbUS /kəmˈpoʊz/

form the substance of

From this reading Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.

compoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/

a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

constituteverbUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːt/

form or compose

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

effortnounUS /ˈefərt/

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

HereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading Comic spelling is usually the work of imagination.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

larknounUS /lɑːrk/

North American songbirds having a yellow breast

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/

the literary culture

From this reading Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

niceadjectiveUS /naɪs/

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

OnounUS /oʊ/

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OF SYLLABLES.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

puttingnounUS /ˈpʌtɪŋ/

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

SpellingnounUS /ˈspelɪŋ/

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.

SyllablenounUS /ˈsɪləbəl/

a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

SYLLABLESnounUS /ˈsɪləbəlz/

plural of “syllable” — a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme

From this reading OF SYLLABLES.

syllabubnoun

spiced hot milk with rum or wine

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.

usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/

under normal conditions

From this reading Comic spelling is usually the work of imagination.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading A syllable, whether it constitute a word or part of a word, is a sound, either simple or compound, produced by one effort of the voice, as, “O!, what, a, lark!--Here, we, are!”

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Spelling is the art of putting together the letters which compose a syllable, or the syllables which compose a word.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Comic spelling is usually the work of imagination.

Chapter 3 of The Comic English Grammar by Percival Leigh holds 17 sentences, grouped into 4 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 3 of The Comic English Grammar contain?

Chapter 3 holds 17 sentences of The Comic English Grammar, unabridged, divided into 4 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Comic English Grammar by Percival Leigh exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 17 sentences, grouped into 4 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 3 of The Comic English Grammar?

Work through the 4 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 4 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 The Comic English Grammar

Common questions about reading The Comic English Grammar by Percival Leigh on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Comic English Grammar?

Yes. All 2141 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #43397 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Comic English Grammar is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #43397, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Comic English Grammar take to read?

About 178 minutes of reading across 429 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Comic English Grammar section by section

How to work through The Comic English Grammar section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of The Comic English Grammar 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 The Comic English Grammar

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Comic English Grammar, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Comic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic English Grammar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
English
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic English Grammar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grammar
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic English Grammar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Introduction
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Comic English Grammar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.