''He(Refers to the fish the old man is trying to catch. The quotation marks indicate someone is speaking or thinking. [hi]) is(Third person singular present of the verb 'to be'. [ɪz]) two feet longer(An expression of measurement, indicating the fish is two feet longer than something else. [tu fit ˈlɔŋgər]) than(A conjunction used for comparison. [ðən]) the skiff(A type of small boat, often rowed or sailed. [ðə skɪf]),'' (Closing quotation marks.)the old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly man. [ðə oʊld mæn]) said(Past tense of the verb 'to say'. [sɛd]). (End of the sentence.)The line(Refers to the fishing line. [ðə laɪn]) was going out(Indicates the line was being pulled out from the reel. [wɑz goʊɪŋ aʊt]) fast(Quickly. [fæst]) but(A conjunction indicating contrast. [bət]) steadily(At a constant rate. [ˈstɛdəli]) and(A conjunction. [ənd]) the fish(The subject of the sentence. [ðə fɪʃ]) was not panicked(Indicates the fish was not in a state of fear or alarm. [wɑz nɑt ˈpænɪkt]). (End of the sentence.)The old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly man. [ðə oʊld mæn]) was trying(Past continuous tense of the verb 'to try'. [wɑz traɪɪŋ]) with both hands(Using both hands. [wɪθ boʊθ hænz]) to keep(In order to maintain. [tɪ kip]) the line(Refers to the fishing line. [ðə laɪn]) just inside of(Slightly below. [ʤɪst ˌɪnˈsaɪd əv]) breaking strength(The maximum force the line can withstand before breaking. [ˈbreɪkɪŋ strɛŋθ]). (End of the sentence.)He(Refers to the old man. [hi]) knew(Past tense of the verb 'to know'. [nu]) that(A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause. [ðət]) if(A conjunction introducing a conditional clause. [ɪf]) he(Refers to the old man. [hi]) could not slow(Was unable to reduce the speed of. [kʊd nɑt sloʊ]) the fish(The subject of the sentence. [ðə fɪʃ]) with(Using. [wɪθ]) a steady pressure(Constant force. [ə ˈstɛdi ˈprɛʃər]) the fish(The subject of the sentence. [ðə fɪʃ]) could take out(Could pull out. [kʊd teɪk aʊt]) all the line(The entire length of the fishing line. [ɔl ðə laɪn]) and(A conjunction. [ənd]) break it(Cause the line to snap. [breɪk ɪt]).
He(Refers to the fish. [hi]) is(Third person singular present of the verb 'to be'. [ɪz]) a great fish(An impressive fish. [ə greɪt fɪʃ]) and(A conjunction. [ənd]) I(Refers to the old man. [aɪ]) must convince(Needs to persuade. [məst kənˈvɪns]) him(Refers to the fish. [ɪm]), (Pause in the sentence.)he(Refers to the old man. [hi]) thought(Past tense of the verb 'to think'. [θɔt]). (End of the sentence.)I(Refers to the old man. [aɪ]) must never let(Should not allow. [məst ˈnɛvər lɛt]) him(Refers to the fish. [ɪm]) learn(To find out. [lərn]) his strength(How powerful he is. [hɪz strɛŋθ]) nor(And not. [nɔr]) what(The extent of what. [wət]) he(Refers to the fish. [hi]) could do(Is capable of. [kʊd du]) if(A conjunction introducing a conditional clause. [ɪf]) he(Refers to the fish. [hi]) made his run(Started to swim away quickly. [meɪd hɪz rən]). (End of the sentence.)If(A conjunction introducing a conditional clause. [ɪf]) I(Refers to the old man. [aɪ]) were(Past subjunctive of the verb 'to be'. [wər]) him(Refers to the fish. [ɪm]) I(Refers to the old man. [aɪ]) would put in(Would exert. [wʊd pʊt ɪn]) everything(All effort. [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]) now(At this moment. [naʊ]) and(A conjunction. [ənd]) go(Continue. [goʊ]) until(Up to the point that. [ənˈtɪl]) something(Something. [ˈsəmθɪŋ]) broke(Snapped or gave way. [broʊk]). (End of the sentence.)But(A conjunction indicating contrast. [bət]), (Pause in the sentence.)thank God(An expression of gratitude. [θæŋk gɑd]), (Pause in the sentence.)they(Refers to the fish. [ðeɪ]) are not(Are not. [ər nɑt]) as intelligent(Equally smart. [ɛz ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt]) as(Used for comparison. [ɛz]) we(Refers to humans. [wi]) who kill(Who hunt and kill. [hu kɪl]) them(Refers to the fish. [ðɛm]); (Separates two related clauses.)although(Despite the fact that. [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]) they(Refers to the fish. [ðeɪ]) are(Third person plural present of the verb 'to be'. [ər]) more noble(More honorable or dignified. [mɔr ˈnoʊbəl]) and(A conjunction. [ənd]) more able(More capable. [mɔr ˈeɪbəl]).
The(Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]) old(Advanced in years; having lived for a long time [oʊld]) man(An adult male human [mæn]) had seen(Past perfect tense of 'see', indicating an action completed before another time in the past [hæd sin]) many(A large number of [ˈmɛni]) great(Large in size or impressive [greɪt]) fish(Aquatic animal [fɪʃ]). He(Referring to the old man [hi]) had seen(Past perfect tense of 'see', indicating an action completed before another time in the past [hæd sin]) many(A large number of [ˈmɛni]) that(Referring to the fish [ðət]) weighed(Past tense of 'weigh', to have a specified weight [weɪd]) more than(Greater in quantity or degree than [mɔr ðən]) a thousand(The number 1,000 [ə ˈθaʊzənd]) pounds(Unit of weight [paʊnz]) and(Conjunction, connecting two similar elements [ənd]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) had caught(Past perfect tense of 'catch', indicating an action completed before another time in the past [hæd kɔt]) two(The number 2 [tu]) of(Preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) that(Referring to the size [ðət]) size(Magnitude or dimensions [saɪz]) in(Preposition indicating location or time [ɪn]) his(Belonging to the old man [hɪz]) life(The period between birth and death [laɪf]), but(Conjunction, introducing a contrast [bət]) never(At no time in the past [ˈnɛvər]) alone(Without anyone else present [əˈloʊn]). Now(At the present time [naʊ]) alone(Without anyone else present [əˈloʊn]), and(Conjunction, connecting two similar elements [ənd]) out of sight(Beyond the range of vision [aʊt əv saɪt]) of(Preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) land(The part of the earth's surface that is not permanently covered by water [lænd]), he(Referring to the old man [hi]) was fast(Securely attached or held [wɑz fæst]) to(Preposition indicating direction or attachment [tɪ]) the biggest(Largest in size or degree [ðə ˈbɪgəst]) fish(Aquatic animal [fɪʃ]) that(Referring to the fish [ðət]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) had ever seen(Past perfect tense of 'see', indicating an action completed before another time in the past, emphasized with 'ever' for superlative effect [hæd ˈɛvər sin]) and(Conjunction, connecting two similar elements [ənd]) bigger than(Greater in size than [ˈbɪgər ðən]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) had ever heard of(Past perfect tense of 'hear', indicating something learned in the past, emphasized with 'ever' for superlative effect [hæd ˈɛvər hərd əv]), and(Conjunction, connecting two similar elements [ənd]) his(Belonging to the old man [hɪz]) left(On the west side of a person when they are facing north [lɛft]) hand(The part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]) was(Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) still(Continuing to be in the same state or condition [stɪl]) as tight as(To the same degree or extent as [ɛz taɪt ɛz]) the gripped(Held firmly [ðə grɪpt]) claws(Sharp, curved nails on the feet of an animal or bird [klɔz]) of(Preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) an eagle(A large bird of prey [ən ˈigəl]).
It(Refers to the hand [ɪt]) will uncramp(The hand will relax and release from a cramp [wɪl uncramp]) though(Despite something; however [ðoʊ]), he(Referring to the old man [hi]) thought(Past tense of 'think', to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]). Surely(Certainly; without a doubt [ˈʃʊrli]) it(Referring to the hand [ɪt]) will uncramp(The hand will relax and release from a cramp [wɪl uncramp]) to help(In order to assist [tɪ hɛlp]) my(Belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) right(On the east side of a person when they are facing north [raɪt]) hand(The part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]). There(Used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) are(Present tense of 'be' [ər]) three(The number 3 [θri]) things(Objects or entities [θɪŋz]) that(Referring to the things [ðət]) are(Present tense of 'be' [ər]) brothers(Sharing a close relationship or similarity [ˈbrəðərz]): the fish(Aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]) and(Conjunction, connecting two similar elements [ənd]) my(Belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) two(The number 2 [tu]) hands(The part of the body at the end of the arm [hænz]). It(Referring to the hand [ɪt]) must uncramp(The hand needs to relax and release from a cramp [məst uncramp]). It(Referring to the hand [ɪt]) is(Present tense of 'be' [ɪz]) unworthy(Not deserving respect or approval [ənˈwərði]) of(Preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) it(Referring to the hand [ɪt]) to be cramped(To be in a state of painful muscle contraction [tɪ bi kræmpt]). The fish(Aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]) had slowed(Past perfect tense of 'slow', to reduce speed [hæd sloʊd]) again(Once more; another time [əˈgɛn]) and(Conjunction, connecting two similar elements [ənd]) was going(Moving or proceeding [wɑz goʊɪŋ]) at(Preposition indicating location or time [æt]) his(Belonging to the fish [hɪz]) usual(Normal or customary [ˈjuʒəwəl]) pace(Speed or rate of movement [peɪs]).
I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) wonder(to feel curiosity or doubt about something [ˈwəndər]) why(for what reason or purpose [waɪ]) he(a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) jumped(past tense of 'jump', meaning to push oneself off the ground or a surface by using the legs and feet [ʤəmpt]), the old man(a man who is advanced in years [ðə oʊld mæn]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]). He(referring back to the male person mentioned earlier [hi]) jumped(past tense of 'jump', meaning to push oneself off the ground or a surface by using the legs and feet [ʤəmpt]) almost(nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]) as though(as if; in a way that suggests something [ɛz ðoʊ]) to show(to make something visible or clear [tɪ ʃoʊ]) me(the speaker or writer, used as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) how big(the extent of something from one side to the other [haʊ bɪg]) he(referring back to the male person mentioned earlier [hi]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) know(to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]) now(at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]), anyway(in any case; regardless of other considerations [ˈɛniˌweɪ]), he(referring back to the male person mentioned earlier [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) wish(to want something that is unlikely to happen [wɪʃ]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) could(past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]) show(to make something visible or clear [ʃoʊ]) him(the male person mentioned earlier, used as the object of a verb or preposition [ɪm]) what sort of man(the type or kind of person [wət sɔrt əv mæn]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) am(present tense of 'be', used with 'I' [æm]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) then(at that time; or as a consequence [ðɛn]) he(referring back to the male person mentioned earlier [hi]) would(used to express a conditional or possible event [wʊd]) see(to perceive with the eyes; to understand [si]) the cramped hand(a hand that is contracted or restricted in movement [ðə kræmpt hænd]). Let(allow or permit [lɛt]) him(the male person mentioned earlier, used as the object of a verb or preposition [ɪm]) think(to have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) am(present tense of 'be', used with 'I' [æm]) more man(having greater strength, courage, or other qualities traditionally associated with men [mɔr mæn]) than(used to make a comparison [ðən]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) am(present tense of 'be', used with 'I' [æm]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) will(expressing the future tense [wɪl]) be(to exist or occur [bi]) so(to such a great extent [soʊ]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) wish(to want something that is unlikely to happen [wɪʃ]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) the fish(a cold-blooded aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]), he(referring back to the male person mentioned earlier [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]), with(accompanied by or possessing [wɪθ]) everything(all things; all the things being considered [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]) he(referring back to the fish [hi]) has(present tense of 'have', meaning to possess or hold [həz]) against(in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]) only(and no one or nothing more besides [ˈoʊnli]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker or writer [maɪ]) will(the faculty by which a person decides on and orders their actions [wɪl]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker or writer [maɪ]) intelligence(the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills [ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns]).
He(a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) settled(past tense of 'settle', meaning to adopt a more steady or secure style of life [ˈsɛtəld]) comfortably(in a comfortable way or manner [ˈkəmfərtəbli]) against(in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]) the wood(the hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of a tree or shrub [ðə wʊd]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) took(past tense of 'take', meaning to lay hold of (something) with one's hands; grasp or seize [tʊk]) his(belonging to or associated with the male person or animal previously mentioned [hɪz]) suffering(the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship [ˈsəfərɪŋ]) as(used to indicate that things happen during the time when something else is happening [ɛz]) it(used to refer to something previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪt]) came(past tense of 'come', meaning to move or travel towards or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker [keɪm]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the fish(a cold-blooded aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]) swam(past tense of 'swim', meaning to propel oneself through water by using the limbs or fins [swæm]) steadily(in a steady manner; in a regular and even way [ˈstɛdəli]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the boat(a small vessel propelled on water by oars, sails, or an engine [ðə boʊt]) moved(past tense of 'move', meaning to go in a specified direction or manner; change position [muvd]) slowly(at a slow speed; not quickly [sˈloʊli]) through(moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening, channel, or location [θru]) the dark water(water that is lacking light or is of a deep color [ðə dɑrk ˈwɔtər]). There(used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) a small sea(a relatively small area of sea [ə smɔl si]) rising(increasing; getting higher [ˈraɪzɪŋ]) with(accompanied by or possessing [wɪθ]) the wind(air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to one of lower pressure [ðə wɪnd]) coming up(approaching or moving upwards [ˈkəmɪŋ əp]) from(indicating the point in space at which a journey, motion, or action starts [frəm]) the east(the direction in which the sun rises [ðə ist]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) at noon(at twelve o'clock in the day [æt nun]) the old man's(belonging to the old man [ðə oʊld mænz]) left hand(the hand on the left side of the body [lɛft hænd]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) uncramped(not contracted or restricted in movement [uncramped]).
''Bad news for you, fish(This is a direct address to the fish, indicating the speaker's intention to catch it. 'Bad news' implies the fish is in trouble. The quotation marks indicate direct speech. [bæd nuz fər ju fɪʃ]),'' he said(Attribution of the preceding words to a male speaker. [hi sɛd]) and shifted the line(The speaker adjusted the fishing line, likely to improve his position or grip. [ənd ˈʃɪftɪd ðə laɪn]) over the sacks(The fishing line was moved across sacks, possibly containing bait, supplies, or the caught fish. [ˈoʊvər ðə sæks]) that covered his shoulders(The sacks were positioned on the speaker's shoulders, possibly for carrying or protection. [ðət ˈkəvərd hɪz ˈʃoʊldərz]).