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The Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth — Vol. 1
The Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth — Vol. 1

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth — Vol. 1
Context Illustration Reading 1/96 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
VOL.
I.
In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.
I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.
Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.
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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 Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth — Vol. 1

Chapter I

Reading 1/96 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
VOL.
Line 2
I.
/aɪ/
Line 3
In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.
Line 4
I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.
Line 5
Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Consecutive adjective US /kənˈsɛk.jə.tɪv/

Following continuously in unbroken sequence.

From this reading “Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Fitted adjective US /ˈfɪtɪd/

prepared and equipped for a particular purpose

From this reading “Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

accept

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

allow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

alternatives

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

always

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

box

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

certain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

consecutiveadjectiveUS /kənˈsɛk.jə.tɪv/

Following continuously in unbroken sequence.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

considering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

death

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

decision

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

destroy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

envelope

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

evading

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

exactly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

father

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

feel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/

prepared and equipped for a particular purpose

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

indeed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

inlaid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

kept

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

letter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

letters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

marriage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

matter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

mother

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

mother's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

numbered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

others

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

own

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

published

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

publishing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

responsibility

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.

rested

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

separated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

VOL

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading VOL.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Ever since my mother's death these letters were kept by my father in a certain inlaid box, into which they exactly fitted, and where they have always rested, letter beside letter, each in its consecutive order and numbered on the envelope by his own hand.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In considering the question of publishing these letters, which are all that ever passed between my father and mother, for after their marriage they were never separated, it seemed to me that my only alternatives were to allow them to be published or to destroy them.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I might, indeed, have left the matter to the decision of others after my death, but that would be evading a responsibility which I feel that I ought to accept.