Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
adds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
botched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
Company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
continue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
deadline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't understand," I said helplessly.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
duplicating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
equipment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
Frankly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
helplessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't understand," I said helplessly.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was stunned.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
Imperial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
lawyers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
liquidate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
minds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
older
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
operate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
plant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
Printing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
production-manager's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
re-do
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
receivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
sending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
Shane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
shift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
stunned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was stunned.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
there'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't understand," I said helplessly.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was stunned.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But any dream can suddenly shift into a nightmare...._] The receivers, two of them lawyers, had long faces when they sat down across from my desk in the office of the Imperial Printing Company.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "Frankly, Mr. Shane," said the older one, "it is a very grave question in our minds whether we should try to continue to operate the business or whether we should close the plant and liquidate the machinery and equipment the best we can."
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _The idea of sending a man back in time to re-do a job he's botched, so that a deadline can still be met--added to the thought of duplicating a man so there'll be two doing the same work at the same time--adds up to a production-manager's dream.
