Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 35

Alice had been looking over his shoulder with some curiosity. 'What a funny watch!' she remarked. 'It tells the day of the month, and doesn't tell what o'clock it is!'

• Alice: a proper noun, likely the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• had been looking: past perfect continuous tense of 'look', indicating an action that started in the past and continued until another time in the past [hæd bɪn ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• over his shoulder: peering to see what someone is doing or looking at [ˈoʊvər hɪz ˈʃoʊldər]
• with some curiosity: showing a degree of interest and inquisitiveness [wɪθ səm ˌkjʊriˈɑsəti]
• What a funny watch: an exclamation expressing amusement or surprise at the unusual nature of the watch [wət ə ˈfəni wɔʧ]
• she remarked: she commented or said [ʃi rɪˈmɑrkt]
• It tells: the watch indicates [ɪt tɛlz]
• the day of the month: the specific date in the current month [ðə deɪ əv ðə mənθ]
• and doesn't tell: and it does not indicate [ənd ˈdəzənt tɛl]
• what o'clock it is: what time it is; the hour [wət əˈklɑk ɪt ɪz]

'Why should it?' muttered the Hatter. 'Does YOUR watch tell you what year it is?'

• Why should it: rhetorical question implying there's no reason for the watch to tell the year [waɪ ʃʊd ɪt]
• muttered: said in a low or barely audible voice [ˈmətərd]
• the Hatter: a proper noun, likely the name of the character [ðə ˈhætər]
• Does YOUR watch: referring to Alice's watch [dɪz jʊr wɔʧ]
• tell you: indicate to you [tɛl ju]
• what year it is: the specific year [wət jɪr ɪt ɪz]

'Of course not,' Alice replied very readily: 'but that's because it stays the same year for such a long time together.'

• Of course not: an emphatic way of saying 'no' [əv kɔrs nɑt]
• Alice replied: Alice responded [ˈælɪs rɪˈplaɪd]
• very readily: quickly and without hesitation [ˈvɛri ˈrɛdəli]
• but that's because: the reason is that [bət ðæts bɪˈkəz]
• it stays: the year remains [ɪt steɪz]
• the same year: without changing to the next year [ðə seɪm jɪr]
• for such a long time together: for a very extended period [fər səʧ ə lɔŋ taɪm təˈgɛðər]

'Which is just the case with MINE,' said the Hatter.

• Which is just the case: that is exactly what is happening [wɪʧ ɪz ʤɪst ðə keɪs]
• with MINE: referring to the Hatter's watch [wɪθ maɪn]
• said the Hatter: the speaker of the sentence [sɛd ðə ˈhætər]

Alice felt dreadfully puzzled.

• Alice felt: Alice experienced [ˈælɪs fɛlt]
• dreadfully puzzled: extremely confused [ˈdrɛdfəli ˈpəzəld]

The Hatter's remark seemed to have no sort of meaning in it, and yet it was certainly English. 'I don't quite understand you,' she said, as politely as she could.

• The Hatter's remark: what the Hatter said [ðə hatters rɪˈmɑrk]
• seemed to have: appeared to possess [simd tɪ hæv]
• no sort of meaning: no understandable sense [noʊ sɔrt əv ˈminɪŋ]
• in it: within the remark [ɪn ɪt]
• and yet: despite that [ənd jɛt]
• it was certainly English: the words were in the English language [ɪt wɑz ˈsərtənli ˈɪŋlɪʃ]
• I don't quite understand you: I do not fully comprehend what you mean [aɪ doʊnt kwaɪt ˌəndərˈstænd ju]
• she said: she stated [ʃi sɛd]
• as politely as she could: in the most courteous manner possible [ɛz pəˈlaɪtli ɛz ʃi kʊd]

'The Dormouse is asleep again,' said the Hatter, and he poured a little hot tea upon its nose.

• The Dormouse is asleep again: Indicates that the Dormouse is in a sleeping state once more [ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs ɪz əsˈlip əˈgɛn]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Hatter: identifies the speaker as the Hatter [ðə ˈhætər]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: pronoun referring to the Hatter [hi]
• poured: past tense of 'pour', meaning to dispense a liquid [pɔrd]
• a little: a small amount [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• hot tea: tea that is at a high temperature [hɑt ti]
• upon: preposition meaning 'on' or 'onto' [əˈpɑn]
• its: possessive pronoun referring to the Dormouse [ɪts]

The Dormouse shook its head impatiently, and said, without opening its eyes, 'Of course, of course; just what I was going to remark myself.'

• The Dormouse: refers to the character named Dormouse [ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs]
• shook: past tense of 'shake', meaning to move quickly back and forth [ʃʊk]
• its: possessive pronoun referring to the Dormouse [ɪts]
• head: the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]
• impatiently: in a way that shows irritation or annoyance [ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəntli]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• without: preposition meaning 'not having' or 'lacking' [wɪˈθaʊt]
• opening: present participle of 'open', meaning to allow access [ˈoʊpənɪŋ]
• its: possessive pronoun referring to the Dormouse [ɪts]
• eyes: organs used for seeing [aɪz]
• Of course: an expression indicating agreement or understanding [əv kɔrs]
• of course: repetition of 'of course' for emphasis [əv kɔrs]
• just: exactly [ʤɪst]
• what: the thing that [wət]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• was going to: future intention [wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ]
• remark: to say something as a comment [rɪˈmɑrk]

'Have you guessed the riddle yet?' the Hatter said, turning to Alice again.

• Have: auxiliary verb used to form the present perfect tense [hæv]
• you: second-person singular pronoun [ju]
• guessed: past participle of 'guess', meaning to estimate or suppose [gɛst]
• the riddle: a question or statement phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning [ðə ˈrɪdəl]
• yet: up to this point in time [jɛt]
• the Hatter: identifies the speaker as the Hatter [ðə ˈhætər]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• turning: present participle of 'turn', meaning to change direction [ˈtərnɪŋ]
• to: preposition indicating direction [tɪ]
• Alice: name of a character [ˈælɪs]

'No, I give it up,' Alice replied: 'what's the answer?'

• No: negative response [noʊ]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• give: present tense of 'give', meaning to surrender [gɪv]
• it: pronoun referring to 'the riddle' [ɪt]
• up: to stop trying to guess [əp]
• Alice: name of a character [ˈælɪs]
• replied: past tense of 'reply', meaning to answer [rɪˈplaɪd]
• what's: contraction of 'what is', asking for information [wəts]

'I haven't the slightest idea,' said the Hatter.

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• haven't: contraction of 'have not', indicating a lack of possession or knowledge [ˈhævənt]
• the slightest: the smallest amount [ðə sˈlaɪtəst]
• idea: a thought or concept [aɪˈdiə]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]

'Nor I,' said the March Hare.

• Nor: used to introduce a negative statement that is also true of someone or something else [nɔr]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]

Alice sighed wearily. 'I think you might do something better with the time,' she said, 'than waste it in asking riddles that have no answers.'

• Alice: name of a character [ˈælɪs]
• sighed: past tense of 'sigh', meaning to emit a long, deep breath expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, etc. [saɪd]
• wearily: in a tired or exhausted manner [ˈwɛrəli]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• think: to have an opinion or belief [θɪŋk]
• you: second-person singular pronoun [ju]
• might: past tense of 'may', expressing possibility or suggestion [maɪt]
• do: to perform an action [du]
• something: an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• better: of a higher standard or more suitable, pleasing, or effective [ˈbɛtər]
• with: preposition expressing association or accompaniment [wɪθ]
• the time: a point of time [ðə taɪm]
• she: third-person singular pronoun [ʃi]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• than: used to introduce the second element in a comparison [ðən]
• waste: to use carelessly or extravagantly [weɪst]
• it: pronoun referring to 'the time' [ɪt]
• in: preposition expressing location or state within limits of space, time, or circumstance [ɪn]
• asking: present participle of 'ask', meaning to put a question to someone [ˈæskɪŋ]
• riddles: a question or statement phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning [ˈrɪdəlz]
• that: relative pronoun referring to 'riddles' [ðət]
• have: to possess [hæv]
• no: not any [noʊ]

'If you knew Time as well as I do,' said the Hatter, 'you wouldn't talk about wasting IT. It's HIM.'

• If: Conditional conjunction introducing a hypothetical situation [ɪf]
• you knew: Past tense of 'know', indicating familiarity or understanding [ju nu]
• Time: Referring to the personified concept of Time, a character in the story [taɪm]
• as well as: To the same extent or degree as [ɛz wɛl ɛz]
• I do: Elliptical clause meaning 'as well as I know Time' [aɪ du)]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Hatter: Referring to the character 'the Hatter' [ðə ˈhætər]
• you wouldn't: Contraction of 'you would not', expressing a conditional statement [ju ˈwʊdənt]
• talk about: To discuss or speak regarding a topic [tɔk əˈbaʊt]
• wasting: Using carelessly or extravagantly [ˈweɪstɪŋ]
• HIM: Referring to Time, emphasizing its personification [ɪm)]

'I don't know what you mean,' said Alice.

• I don't know: Expressing a lack of understanding or knowledge [aɪ doʊnt noʊ]
• what you mean: Referring to the intended meaning of the previous statement [wət ju min)]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]

'Of course you don't!' the Hatter said, tossing his head contemptuously. 'I dare say you never even spoke to Time!'

• Of course: Expressing agreement or obviousness [əv kɔrs]
• you don't: Implying that it is not surprising that the listener does not understand [ju doʊnt)]
• the Hatter: Referring to the character 'the Hatter' [ðə ˈhætər]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• tossing: Throwing or moving something lightly [ˈtɔsɪŋ]
• his head: Referring to the Hatter's head [hɪz hɛd]
• you never: At no time in the past [ju ˈnɛvər]
• even spoke: To talk or converse [ˈivɪn spoʊk]
• to Time: Referring to the personified concept of Time [tɪ taɪm)]

'Perhaps not,' Alice cautiously replied: 'but I know I have to beat time when I learn music.'

• Perhaps not: Expressing uncertainty or doubt [pərˈhæps nɑt)]
• Alice: Referring to the character 'Alice' [ˈælɪs]
• cautiously: In a careful and wary manner [ˈkɔʃəsli]
• replied: Past tense of 'reply', indicating who is speaking [rɪˈplaɪd]
• but I know: Expressing certainty or knowledge [bət aɪ noʊ]
• I have to: Expressing obligation or necessity [aɪ hæv tɪ]
• beat time: To keep or maintain a rhythm, especially in music [bit taɪm]
• when I learn: During the process of learning [wɪn aɪ lərn]
• music: Referring to the art form of music [mˈjuzɪk)]

'Ah!

• Ah: Expressing sudden realization or understanding [ɑ]

that accounts for it,' said the Hatter. 'He won't stand beating. Now, if you only kept on good terms with him, he'd do almost anything you liked with the clock. For instance, suppose it were nine o'clock in the morning, just time to begin lessons: you'd only have to whisper a hint to Time, and round goes the clock in a twinkling!

• that accounts for it: Explaining the reason or cause of something [ðət əˈkaʊnts fər ɪt)]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• won't stand: Will not tolerate or allow [woʊnt stænd]
• if you only: Expressing a wish or condition [ɪf ju ˈoʊnli]
• kept on: To continue or maintain [kɛpt ɔn]
• good terms: Friendly or amicable relations [gʊd tərmz]
• with him: Referring to Time [wɪθ ɪm]
• he'd: Contraction of 'he would', referring to Time [hid]
• do: To perform or carry out an action [du]
• almost anything: Nearly everything [ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• you liked: What you desired or preferred [ju laɪkt]
• suppose: Imagine or assume [səˈpoʊz]
• it were: Expressing a hypothetical situation [ɪt wər]
• nine o'clock: A specific time of day [naɪn əˈklɑk]
• in the morning: The early part of the day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• just time: The appropriate or perfect moment [ʤɪst taɪm]
• to begin: To start or commence [tɪ bɪˈgɪn]
• lessons: Referring to instructional sessions [ˈlɛsənz]
• you'd only: You would only need to [jʊd ˈoʊnli]
• have to: Expressing obligation or necessity [hæv tɪ]
• whisper: To speak very softly [ˈwɪspər]
• a hint: A subtle suggestion or clue [ə hɪnt]
• to Time: Referring to the personified concept of Time [tɪ taɪm]
• and round goes: And the clock hand moves around [ənd raʊnd goʊz]
• the clock: Referring to a device that measures time [ðə klɑk]
• in a twinkling: In a very short time; instantly [ɪn ə tˈwɪŋkəlɪŋ]

('I only wish it was,' the March Hare said to itself in a whisper.)

• I: The speaker in the dialogue [aɪ]
• only wish: expresses a desire or hope that something were true [ˈoʊnli wɪʃ]
• it was: referring to a previously mentioned situation or condition [ɪt wɑz]
• the March Hare: a character in the story [ðə mɑrʧ hɛr]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• to itself: indicating that the March Hare is speaking to himself [tɪ ˌɪtˈsɛlf]
• in a whisper: speaking very quietly [ɪn ə ˈwɪspər]

'That would be grand, certainly,' said Alice thoughtfully: 'but then—I shouldn't be hungry for it, you know.'

• That: referring to a previously mentioned idea or situation [ðət]
• would be: conditional form of 'be', expressing a hypothetical situation [wʊd bi]
• grand: splendid; magnificent; excellent [grænd]
• certainly: without a doubt; definitely [ˈsərtənli]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• Alice: a character in the story [ˈælɪs]
• thoughtfully: in a pensive or reflective manner [ˈθɔtfəli]
• but: introducing a contrasting idea [bət]
• then—I: introducing a consequence or condition [then-i]
• shouldn't be: contraction of 'should not be', expressing a lack of obligation or expectation [ˈʃʊdənt bi]
• hungry: feeling a need or desire for food [ˈhəŋgri]
• for it: referring to something previously mentioned, likely food [fər ɪt]
• you know: an expression used to seek agreement or understanding [ ju noʊ]