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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
all
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So it was at West Inch.
away
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From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
bit
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From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
bits
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
breath
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From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
clean
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From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
coming
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From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
dash
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
ditch
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
down
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
drawn
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
find
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
float
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
GATHERING
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From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE NATIONS.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
Inch
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From this reading So it was at West Inch.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
keep
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
larger
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From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
lazy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
makes
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From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
NATIONS
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From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE NATIONS.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE NATIONS.
orderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
pace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
paddock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
sheep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was at West Inch.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
straw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
swirl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
takes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE NATIONS.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So it was at West Inch.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
wee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So it was at West Inch.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now I come to a bit of my story that clean takes my breath away as I think of it, and makes me wish that I had never taken the job of telling it in hand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now that we were drawn into a larger life, like wee bits of straw that float slowly down some lazy ditch, until they suddenly find themselves in the dash and swirl of a great river; then it is very hard for me with my simple words to keep pace with it all.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For when I write I like things to come slow and orderly and in their turn, like sheep coming out of a paddock.
