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 PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
abruptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
addressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
AGAINnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
Albert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
Almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost instantly I recognized him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Who are you?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
asking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
Gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
guard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost instantly I recognized him.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
Paddington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
pardon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
park
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
paths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
PRESTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost instantly I recognized him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
thoughtfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
Windsor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
