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 Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
believers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
Broadway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
Carter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
eager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
encountered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
Few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
ghost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
ghosts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
grave-yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
listeners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
Nick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
nowadays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
plenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
remarkablenounUS /ˈremarkable/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VANISHING THIEF.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
THIEF
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VANISHING THIEF.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
VANISHING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VANISHING THIEF.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A man who can tell a reasonable story about having seen a ghost may not find many believers, but he will get plenty of listeners, for we are all eager to hear about such things.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Few people, nowadays, will own that they believe in ghosts.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter's friends often ask him whether, in the course of his remarkable experience as a detective, he has ever encountered anything which could not have been the work of human hands.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet most of us would be less sure about it in a grave-yard at midnight than on Broadway at noon.
