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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 There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
become
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
bowl
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
broke
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From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.
broth
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.
corner
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
dim
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
disgusted
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
dull
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
ears
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
earthenware
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
enough
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
eyes
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
fell
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From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.
food
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
full
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From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.
gave
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
ground
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From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.
hardly
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
hearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
knees
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.
man
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
old
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
once
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
only
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From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
out
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
run
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
said
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From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.
sat
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From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
scolded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.
sighed
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From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.
sit
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
son
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
son's
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From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
spilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
spoon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
table-cloth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
too
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From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.
trembled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
trembling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
used
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From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed.
