The Open Sea

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Open Sea is here in full — 343 sentences across 69 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Edgar Lee Masters • Curated US English Learning Edition

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LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

Both may be, and one must be wrong.

God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

In the present Civil War it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party; and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adoption to effect his purpose.

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter III Reading 1/68

The Open Sea

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Open Sea is here in full — 343 sentences across 69 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/68 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

Line 2

In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

/ɪn ɡreɪt ˈkɑːntests iːtʃ ˈpɑːrti kleɪmz tuː ækt ɪn əˈkɔːrdəns wɪð ðə wɪl ʌv ɡɑːd/

Line 3

Both may be, and one must be wrong.

/boʊθ meɪ biː ənd wʌn mʌst biː rɔːŋ/

Line 4

God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

Line 5

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.

accordance noun US /əˈkɔːrdəns/

concurrence of opinion

From this reading “In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.”

adoption noun US /əˈdɑːpʃən/

the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception

From this reading “In the present Civil War it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party; and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adoption to effect his purpose.”

claims noun US /kleɪmz/

plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading “In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.”

contests noun US /ˈkɑːntests/

plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading “In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.”

lincoln noun US /ˈlɪŋkən/

16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)

From this reading “LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.”

memorandum noun US /ˌmemərˈændəm/

a written proposal or reminder

From this reading “LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.”

November noun US /noʊˈvembər/

the month following October and preceding December

prevails verb US /prɪˈveɪlz/

third-person singular of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading “LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.”

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.

Civil War adjective + noun

a war between factions in the same country

In this reading “In the present Civil War it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party; and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adoption to effect his purpose.”

same time adjective + noun

In this reading “God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.”

in accordance preposition + noun

In this reading “In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.”

same thing adjective + noun

In this reading “God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.”

quite possible adverb + adjective

All words in this reading · 63

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.

1864

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

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

23rd

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

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

accordancenounUS /əˈkɔːrdəns/

concurrence of opinion

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

actverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

adoptionnounUS /əˈdɑːpʃən/

the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception

From this reading In the present Civil War it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party; and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adoption to effect his purpose.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Both may be, and one must be wrong.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Both may be, and one must be wrong.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both may be, and one must be wrong.

cannot

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

From this reading God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

CiviladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/

applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military

claimsnounUS /kleɪmz/

plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

contestsnounUS /ˈkɑːntests/

plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

God'snounUS /ɡɑːdz/

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/

characteristic of humanity

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

instrumentalities

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

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

LINCOLNnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/

16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

MAKESnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Both may be, and one must be wrong.

MEMORANDUMnounUS /ˌmemərˈændəm/

a written proposal or reminder

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Both may be, and one must be wrong.

NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Both may be, and one must be wrong.

partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

prevailsverbUS /prɪˈveɪlz/

third-person singular of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

WarnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading LINCOLN MAKES A MEMORANDUM (_November 23rd, 1864._) “The will of God prevails.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.

workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

actively engaged in paid work

wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading Both may be, and one must be wrong.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

Chapter 3 of The Open Sea by Edgar Lee Masters holds 343 sentences, grouped into 69 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 Open Sea contain?

Chapter 3 holds 343 sentences of The Open Sea, unabridged, divided into 69 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Open Sea by Edgar Lee Masters exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 343 sentences, grouped into 69 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 Open Sea?

Work through the 69 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 69 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 Open Sea

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Is this the complete text of The Open Sea?

Yes. All 3075 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #52786 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #52786, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 256 minutes of reading across 615 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Open Sea

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Electrotyped: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Open Sea; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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Chapter III

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