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(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(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(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(Alice experienced [ˈælɪs fɛlt]) dreadfully puzzled(extremely confused [ˈdrɛdfəli ˈpəzəld]). 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(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]) nose.
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]) myself.'
'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]) again.
'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]) the answer?'
'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]) the Hatter.
'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]) the March Hare.
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]) answers.'
'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]) IT. It's HIM(Referring to Time, emphasizing its personification [ɪm)]).'
'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]) Alice.
'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]) contemptuously. 'I dare say 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(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(Expressing sudden realization or understanding [ɑ])! 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]) the Hatter. 'He won't stand(Will not tolerate or allow [woʊnt stænd]) beating. Now, 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]) with the clock. For instance, 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])! Half-past one(Referring to 1:30 [half-past wən]), time for dinner(The appropriate moment for the meal of dinner [taɪm fər ˈdɪnər)])!'
('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]),' (end of the quote)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(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]),' (end of the quote)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]).'