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 The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
absenting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
Aga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
assuming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
attack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had a sharp attack of writer's cramp, Mr. Secretary," Retief said.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
cramp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had a sharp attack of writer's cramp, Mr. Secretary," Retief said.
dealt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I had a sharp attack of writer's cramp, Mr. Secretary," Retief said.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
Kaga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
positive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
Retief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had a sharp attack of writer's cramp, Mr. Secretary," Retief said.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had a sharp attack of writer's cramp, Mr. Secretary," Retief said.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
Sternwheeler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
Surely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
Under-Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Aga Kaga wanted peace--a piece of everything in sight!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "So I thought I'd better come along in person--just to be sure I was positive of making my point."
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way--assuming any action is necessary."
writer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had a sharp attack of writer's cramp, Mr. Secretary," Retief said.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "I'm not at all sure," Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, "that I fully understand the necessity for your ... ah ... absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief.
