Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 9

'Would it be of any use, now,' thought Alice, 'to speak to this mouse?

• Would it be of any use, now: Expresses a question about whether something would be helpful or beneficial at the present time. [wʊd ɪt bi əv ˈɛni juz naʊ]
• thought: past tense of 'think', indicating an internal reflection or consideration. [θɔt]
• Alice: the name of the character who is thinking. [ˈælɪs]
• to speak to this mouse: Refers to the act of talking to the mouse in question. [tɪ spik tɪ ðɪs maʊs]

Everything is so out-of-the-way down here, that I should think very likely it can talk: at any rate, there's no harm in trying.' So she began: 'O Mouse, do you know the way out of this pool?

• Everything: refers to all things or all aspects of the situation. [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• is so out-of-the-way: means unusual, strange, or not conforming to the normal. [ɪz soʊ out-of-the-way]
• down here: refers to the location where Alice is, implying it is below or different from the usual place. [daʊn hir]
• that I should think: indicates Alice's reasoning or belief. [ðət aɪ ʃʊd θɪŋk]
• very likely: means probably or with a high degree of possibility. [ˈvɛri ˈlaɪkli]
• it can talk: refers to the mouse's ability to speak. [ɪt kən tɔk]
• at any rate: means regardless or in any case. [æt ˈɛni reɪt]
• there's no harm: indicates that there is no negative consequence or risk. [ðɛrz noʊ hɑrm]
• in trying: refers to the act of attempting something. [ɪn traɪɪŋ]
• So: introduces a consequence or result. [soʊ]
• she began: indicates the start of an action. [ʃi bɪˈgæn]
• O Mouse: an exclamation and direct address to the mouse. [oʊ maʊs]
• do you know: a question asking if the mouse is aware. [du ju noʊ]
• the way out: refers to the path or direction to exit. [ðə weɪ aʊt]
• of this pool: specifies the location from which Alice wants to exit. [əv ðɪs pul]

I am very tired of swimming about here, O Mouse!' (Alice thought this must be the right way of speaking to a mouse: she had never done such a thing before, but she remembered having seen in her brother's Latin Grammar, 'A mouse—of a mouse—to a mouse—a mouse—O mouse!') The Mouse looked at her rather inquisitively, and seemed to her to wink with one of its little eyes, but it said nothing.

• I am: contraction of 'I am', indicating Alice's state. [aɪ æm]
• very tired: indicates a high degree of fatigue. [ˈvɛri taɪərd]
• of swimming: refers to the act of moving through water. [əv sˈwɪmɪŋ]
• about here: indicates the general location of the swimming. [əˈbaʊt hir]
• O Mouse: Repeats the exclamation and direct address to the mouse. [oʊ maʊs]
• Alice thought: Indicates Alice's internal thought process. [(ˈælɪs θɔt]
• this must be: Expresses Alice's belief or conclusion. [ðɪs məst bi]
• the right way: Refers to the correct manner or method. [ðə raɪt weɪ]
• of speaking: Indicates the act of communication. [əv ˈspikɪŋ]
• to a mouse: Specifies the recipient of the communication. [tɪ ə maʊs]
• she had: Contraction of 'she had', indicating a past action. [ʃi hæd]
• never done: Indicates that Alice has not performed the action before. [ˈnɛvər dən]
• such a thing: Refers to the specific action of speaking to a mouse. [səʧ ə θɪŋ]
• before: Indicates that the action has not occurred previously. [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• but: Introduces a contrast or exception. [bət]
• she remembered: Indicates Alice's recollection. [ʃi rɪˈmɛmbərd]
• having seen: Refers to a past experience of observing something. [ˈhævɪŋ sin]
• in her brother's Latin Grammar: Specifies the source of Alice's memory. [ɪn hər ˈbrəðərz ˈlætən ˈgræmər]
• A mouse—of a mouse—to a mouse—a mouse—O mouse: An example from the Latin Grammar, showing different cases of the noun 'mouse'. [ə mouse-of ə mouse-to ə mouse-a mouse-o maʊs)]
• The Mouse: Refers to the mouse being addressed. [ðə maʊs]
• looked at her: Indicates the mouse's action of observing Alice. [lʊkt æt hər]
• rather inquisitively: Describes the manner of the mouse's gaze, implying curiosity. [ˈrəðər inquisitively]
• and seemed to her: Indicates Alice's perception of the mouse's actions. [ənd simd tɪ hər]
• to wink: Refers to the action of briefly closing one eye. [tɪ wɪŋk]
• with one: Specifies the number of eyes involved in the wink. [wɪθ wən]
• of its little eyes: Indicates the part of the mouse's body used for winking. [əv ɪts ˈlɪtəl aɪz]
• but: Introduces a contrast. [bət]
• it said nothing: Indicates that the mouse did not speak. [ɪt sɛd ˈnəθɪŋ]

'Perhaps it doesn't understand English,' thought Alice; 'I daresay it's a French mouse, come over with William the Conqueror.' (For, with all her knowledge of history, Alice had no very clear notion how long ago anything had happened.) So she began again: 'Ou est ma chatte?' which was the first sentence in her French lesson-book.

• Perhaps: Possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]
• it: Refers to something previously mentioned or understood from context, likely the Mouse in this case [ɪt]
• doesn't: Contraction of 'does not', indicating negation [ˈdəzənt]
• understand: To perceive the meaning of something [ˌəndərˈstænd]
• English: The English language [ˈɪŋlɪʃ]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', indicating a mental process or belief [θɔt]
• Alice: The name of the character who is thinking [ˈælɪs]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• daresay: An expression meaning 'I suppose' or 'I believe' [ˈdɛrseɪ]
• it's: Contraction of 'it is', where 'it' refers to the mouse [ɪts]
• a French mouse: A mouse that is from France or speaks French [ə frɛnʧ maʊs]
• come over: To arrive or travel to a place [kəm ˈoʊvər]
• with: In the company of; accompanying [wɪθ]
• William the Conqueror: The Duke of Normandy who invaded England in 1066 [ˈwɪljəm ðə ˈkɑŋkərər]
• For: Because; since [fər]
• with: Having; possessing [wɪθ]
• all: The whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]
• her: Possessive pronoun referring to Alice [hər]
• knowledge: Information or understanding about a subject [ˈnɑlɪʤ]
• of: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• history: The study of past events [ˈhɪstəri]
• Alice: The name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• had: Past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• no: Not any; none [noʊ]
• very: To a great extent; extremely [ˈvɛri]
• clear: Easy to understand; not vague [klɪr]
• notion: An idea or belief [ˈnoʊʃən]
• how long ago: Referring to the amount of time that has passed since an event [haʊ lɔŋ əˈgoʊ]
• anything: A thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• had happened: Past perfect tense of 'happen', indicating an event that occurred before another past event [hæd ˈhæpənd]
• So: Therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• she: Third-person singular pronoun, referring to Alice [ʃi]
• began: Past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn]
• again: Once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• Ou: French word meaning 'where' [u]
• est: French word meaning 'is' [ɛst]
• ma: French word meaning 'my' (feminine [mɑ]
• chatte: French word for 'female cat' [chatte]
• which: Referring to the previous phrase 'Ou est ma chatte?' [wɪʧ]
• was: Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• the first sentence: The initial sentence [ðə fərst ˈsɛntəns]
• in: Expressing location or containment [ɪn]
• her: Possessive pronoun referring to Alice [hər]
• French: Relating to France or the French language [frɛnʧ]
• lesson-book: A book used for learning lessons, especially in a foreign language [lesson-book]

The Mouse gave a sudden leap out of the water, and seemed to quiver all over with fright.

• The Mouse: Referring to the mouse in the story [ðə maʊs]
• gave: Past tense of 'give', meaning to perform an action [geɪv]
• a sudden leap: A quick, forceful jump [ə ˈsədən lip]
• out of: Moving from inside to outside [aʊt əv]
• the water: The liquid in which the Mouse was located [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• and: Conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• seemed: Appeared to be [simd]
• to quiver: To shake or tremble [tɪ kˈwɪvər]
• all over: In every part of [ɔl ˈoʊvər]
• with: Expressing the cause or reason for something [wɪθ]
• fright: A feeling of fear or alarm [fraɪt]

'Oh, I beg your pardon!' cried Alice hastily, afraid that she had hurt the poor animal's feelings.

• Oh: An exclamation expressing surprise or emotion [oʊ]
• I beg: To ask earnestly or humbly [aɪ bɛg]
• your: Possessive pronoun referring to the person being addressed [jʊr]
• pardon: Forgiveness for an offense or mistake [ˈpɑrdən]
• cried: Past tense of 'cry', meaning to speak loudly or express emotion [kraɪd]
• Alice: The name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• hastily: Quickly; without delay [ˈheɪstəli]
• afraid: Feeling fear or apprehension [əˈfreɪd]
• that: Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• she: Third-person singular pronoun, referring to Alice [ʃi]
• had hurt: Past perfect tense of 'hurt', meaning to cause pain or distress [hæd hərt]
• the poor: Deserving pity or sympathy [ðə pur]
• animal's: Possessive form of 'animal', referring to something belonging to the animal [ˈænəməlz]
• feelings: Emotional state or sensitivity [ˈfilɪŋz]

'Not like cats!' cried the Mouse, in a shrill, passionate voice. 'Would YOU like cats if you were me?'

• Not like cats: Expression of dislike for cats [nɑt laɪk kæts]
• cried: past tense of 'cry', meaning to exclaim or shout [kraɪd]
• the Mouse: referring to a specific mouse character [ðə maʊs]
• in a shrill, passionate voice: describes the tone and emotion in the mouse's voice; 'shrill' means high-pitched and piercing, 'passionate' means expressing strong emotion [ɪn ə ʃrɪl ˈpæʃənət vɔɪs]
• Would YOU like cats if you were me: a rhetorical question emphasizing the mouse's aversion to cats, implying that no one would like cats if they were in the mouse's position [wʊd ju laɪk kæts ɪf ju wər mi]

'Well, perhaps not,' said Alice in a soothing tone: 'don't be angry about it.

• Well, perhaps not: an expression indicating agreement or understanding, but with reservation [wɛl pərˈhæps nɑt]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• Alice: referring to the character Alice [ˈælɪs]
• in a soothing tone: describes the manner of speaking, aiming to calm or reassure [ɪn ə ˈsuðɪŋ toʊn]
• don't be angry about it: a request to avoid feeling anger or resentment [doʊnt bi ˈæŋgri əˈbaʊt ɪt]

And yet I wish I could show you our cat Dinah: I think you'd take a fancy to cats if you could only see her.

• And yet: introducing a contrasting idea [ənd jɛt]
• I wish I could show you our cat Dinah: expressing a desire to introduce the mouse to Alice's cat [aɪ wɪʃ aɪ kʊd ʃoʊ ju ɑr kæt ˈdaɪnə]
• I think you'd take a fancy to cats: expressing the belief that the mouse would develop a liking for cats [aɪ θɪŋk jʊd teɪk ə ˈfænsi tɪ kæts]
• if you could only see her: emphasizing the importance of seeing the cat to change the mouse's opinion [ɪf ju kʊd ˈoʊnli si hər]

'We indeed!' cried the Mouse, who was trembling down to the end of his tail. 'As if I would talk on such a subject!

• We indeed: An exclamation expressing strong agreement or affirmation, possibly with sarcasm or disbelief depending on context. [wi ˌɪnˈdid]
• cried: uttered loudly; exclaimed [kraɪd]
• the Mouse: referring to a specific mouse character in the story [ðə maʊs]
• who was trembling: describes the mouse's physical state, indicating fear or nervousness [hu wɑz ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ]
• down to the end of his tail: emphasizes the extent of the mouse's trembling [daʊn tɪ ðə ɛnd əv hɪz teɪl]
• As if I would talk on such a subject: A rhetorical question expressing disbelief or unwillingness to discuss a particular topic. [ɛz ɪf aɪ wʊd tɔk ɔn səʧ ə ˈsəbʤɪkt]

Our family always HATED cats: nasty, low, vulgar things!

• Our family: referring to the mouse's lineage or relatives [ɑr ˈfæməli]
• always HATED: expressing a strong dislike or aversion [ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈheɪtɪd]
• cats: domestic felines, often seen as predators of mice [kæts]
• nasty, low, vulgar things: a series of adjectives expressing strong disapproval and disdain [ˈnæsti loʊ ˈvəlgər θɪŋz]