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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 He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was gloomy and desperate.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
blame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
complain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What right had the friendless to complain?
consequences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
crime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime.
desperate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was gloomy and desperate.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
driven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime.
forsaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
friendless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/
depressingly dark
From this reading He was gloomy and desperate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was gloomy and desperate.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom’s mind was made up now.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tom’s mind was made up now.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom’s mind was made up now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
rid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
Tom's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom’s mind was made up now.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom’s mind was made up now.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tom’s mind was made up now.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame _him_ for the consequences—why shouldn’t they?
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime.
