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Chapter II
Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever. I almost think that there would be no "forever" for me. I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me. You are my first hope and my last. If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “You are my first hope and my last.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “You are my first hope and my last.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I almost think that there would be no "forever" for me.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.”
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.”
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I almost think that there would be no "forever" for me.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You are my first hope and my last.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You are my first hope and my last.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I almost think that there would be no "forever" for me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You are my first hope and my last.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You are my first hope and my last.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
not any; not one
From this reading I almost think that there would be no "forever" for me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I almost think that there would be no "forever" for me.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I almost think that there would be no "forever" for me.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I could not encounter such a desolate Eternity, were you to leave me.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading If you fail me (but there is no such if) I might toil onward through this life without much outward change, but I should sink down and die utterly upon the threshold of the dreary Future.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Oh, my wife, if it were possible that you should vanish from me, I feel and know that my soul would be solitary forever and ever.
