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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 Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
also
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From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
attending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
blue
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From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
celebrate
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From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
CLOUDS
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From this reading GATHERING CLOUDS.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
day
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From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
due
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From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
eighth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
gap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
GATHERING
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From this reading GATHERING CLOUDS.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
held
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From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
Henley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
historic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
houseboat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
Maidenhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
moored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
Preston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
presumably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
propose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
regatta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
rented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
Several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Preston, an old blue, had made a point of attending the historic regatta ever since he had been at school; then had come a gap, due to the war, and then the regatta had been once more held.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Several times before they were engaged Yootha had spent a day with him on this boat, though he had not even then made up his mind to propose to her.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henley week is said to be fine once in eight years, so presumably it was an eighth year, for the weather was perfect.
Yootha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To celebrate the event, also because he thought Yootha would like it, Preston had this year rented a houseboat which he kept moored near Maidenhead.
