He liked to think(He enjoyed imagining [hi laɪkt tɪ θɪŋk]) of the fish(referring to the large marlin he caught [əv ðə fɪʃ]) and what he could do(what the fish was capable of [ənd wət hi kʊd du]) to a shark(in relation to a shark [tɪ ə ʃɑrk]) if he were swimming free(if the fish was not tied to the boat [ɪf hi wər sˈwɪmɪŋ fri]). I should have chopped the bill off(I regret not cutting off the marlin's bill [aɪ ʃʊd hæv ʧɑpt ðə bɪl ɔf]) to fight them with(to use as a weapon against the sharks [tɪ faɪt ðɛm wɪθ]), he thought(indicates the character's internal thoughts [hi θɔt]). But there was no hatchet(There was no small axe available [bət ðɛr wɑz noʊ ˈhæʧət]) and then there was no knife(and subsequently, there was no knife either [ənd ðɛn ðɛr wɑz noʊ naɪf]).
But if I had(Expressing a hypothetical situation of having something [bət ɪf aɪ hæd]), and could have lashed it(And being able to tie it securely [ənd kʊd hæv læʃt ɪt]) to an oar butt(To the thick end of an oar [tɪ ən ɔr bət]), what a weapon(Expressing the effectiveness of the weapon [wət ə ˈwɛpən]). Then we might have fought them together(Expressing the possibility of fighting the sharks together [ðɛn wi maɪt hæv fɔt ðɛm təˈgɛðər]). What will you do now(Questioning the fish's ability to defend itself [wət wɪl ju du naʊ]) if they come in the night(If the sharks attack during the night [ɪf ðeɪ kəm ɪn ðə naɪt])? What can you do(Questioning the fish's ability to defend itself [wət kən ju du])?
''Fight them(A command to engage in combat against an unspecified enemy. The quotation marks indicate direct speech. [faɪt ðɛm]),'' he said(Attribution of the preceding statement to a male speaker. The period marks the end of the sentence. [hi sɛd]). ''I'll fight them(A declaration of intent to combat the same unspecified enemy. 'I'll' is a contraction of 'I will'. The quotation marks indicate direct speech. [aɪl faɪt ðɛm]) until I die(A statement expressing the speaker's determination to fight until death. The quotation marks indicate direct speech. [ənˈtɪl aɪ daɪ]).''
But(A conjunction indicating contrast or opposition. [bət]) in the dark now(A phrase describing the current environment as lacking light. [ɪn ðə dɑrk naʊ]) and no glow showing(Indicates an absence of any visible light or radiance. [ənd noʊ gloʊ ʃoʊɪŋ]) and no lights(Further emphasizes the absence of artificial illumination. [ənd noʊ laɪts]) and only the wind(Highlights the presence of wind as the sole sensory element. [ənd ˈoʊnli ðə wɪnd]) and the steady pull of the sail(Describes the consistent force exerted by the sail, suggesting movement or tension. [ənd ðə ˈstɛdi pʊl əv ðə seɪl]) he felt(Indicates the character's perception or sensation. [hi fɛlt]) that perhaps he was already dead(Expresses the character's contemplation of his own mortality, suggesting a feeling of being close to death. [ðət pərˈhæps hi wɑz ɔˈrɛdi dɛd]). He put his two hands together(Describes the action of bringing both hands into contact. [hi pʊt hɪz tu hænz təˈgɛðər]) and felt the palms(Indicates the character's tactile examination of his hands. [ənd fɛlt ðə pɑmz]). They were not dead(Affirms that his hands are still alive and functioning. [ðeɪ wər nɑt dɛd]) and he could bring the pain of life(Suggests that he can induce sensation and confirm his vitality. [ənd hi kʊd brɪŋ ðə peɪn əv laɪf]) by simply opening and closing them(Explains how he can test his vitality through a simple physical action. [baɪ ˈsɪmpli ˈoʊpənɪŋ ənd ˈkloʊzɪŋ ðɛm]). He leaned his back against the stern(Describes the character's posture and position on the boat. [hi lind hɪz bæk əˈgɛnst ðə stərn]) and knew he was not dead(Reaffirms his awareness of being alive. [ənd nu hi wɑz nɑt dɛd]). His shoulders told him(Attributes his sense of being alive to the physical sensation in his shoulders. [hɪz ˈʃoʊldərz toʊld ɪm]).
I have all those prayers(The speaker possesses a collection of prayers. [aɪ hæv ɔl ðoʊz prɛrz]) I promised(The speaker made a commitment to recite the prayers. [aɪ ˈprɑməst]) if I caught the fish(The condition for fulfilling the promise is catching the fish. [ɪf aɪ kɔt ðə fɪʃ]), he thought(Indicates that the preceding statement is the character's internal thought. [hi θɔt]). But(A conjunction indicating contrast or opposition. [bət]) I am too tired(The speaker is experiencing fatigue. [aɪ æm tu taɪərd]) to say them now(The speaker is currently unable to recite the prayers due to tiredness. [tɪ seɪ ðɛm naʊ]). I better get the sack(The speaker intends to retrieve a sack. 'better' is used as 'had better' [aɪ ˈbɛtər gɪt ðə sæk]) and put it over my shoulders(The speaker plans to place the sack on his shoulders. [ənd pʊt ɪt ˈoʊvər maɪ ˈʃoʊldərz]).
He(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]) lay(past tense of 'lie', meaning to be in a resting position [leɪ]) in the stern(at the back part of a boat [ɪn ðə stərn]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) steered(controlled the direction of a boat or vehicle [stɪrd]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) watched(looked attentively [wɔʧt]) for(in order to see or find [fər]) the glow(a soft, warm light [ðə gloʊ]) to come(to appear or arrive [tɪ kəm]) in the sky(in the atmosphere above the earth [ɪn ðə skaɪ]). (end of a sentence)I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) have(possess or hold [hæv]) half of him(one part of the person or thing being discussed [hæf əv ɪm]), (separates clauses or phrases)he(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]). (end of a sentence)Maybe(perhaps; possibly [ˈmeɪbi]) I'll(contraction of 'I will', expressing future intention [aɪl]) have(possess or experience [hæv]) the luck(good fortune or chance [ðə lək]) to bring(to carry or lead [tɪ brɪŋ]) the forward half(the front part [ðə ˈfɔrwərd hæf]) in(to bring something inside [ɪn]). (end of a sentence)I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) should(used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness [ʃʊd]) have(possess or experience [hæv]) some luck(a certain amount of good fortune [səm lək]). (end of a sentence)No(expressing disagreement or refusal [noʊ]), (separates clauses or phrases)he(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]). (end of a sentence)You(the person being addressed [ju]) violated(broke or disregarded [ˈvaɪəleɪtɪd]) your luck(one's good fortune [jʊr lək]) when(at the time that [wɪn]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) went(past tense of 'go', meaning to move or travel [wɛnt]) too far(excessively distant [tu fɑr]) outside(beyond a certain boundary or limit [ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]).
''Don't(contraction of 'do not', used to give a negative command [doʊnt]) be(to exist or occur [bi]) silly(foolish or absurd [ˈsɪli]),'' (end of a quote)he(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]) aloud(in a voice that can be clearly heard [əˈlaʊd]). (end of a sentence)''And(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) keep(continue to do something [kip]) awake(not asleep [əˈweɪk]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) steer(control the direction of a boat or vehicle [stɪr]). (end of a sentence)You(the person being addressed [ju]) may(expressing possibility [meɪ]) have(possess or experience [hæv]) much luck(a great amount of good fortune [məʧ lək]) yet(still; up to this point [jɛt]).''
''I'd(contraction of 'I would', expressing a wish or conditional statement [aɪd]) like(to want or desire [laɪk]) to buy(to purchase something [tɪ baɪ]) some(an unspecified amount or number of [səm]) if(on the condition that [ɪf]) there's(contraction of 'there is', indicating existence [ðɛrz]) any(one or some of something [ˈɛni]) place(a location or area [pleɪs]) they(referring to people or things previously mentioned [ðeɪ]) sell(exchange something for money [sɛl]) it(referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt]),'' (end of a quote)he(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]).
What(asking for information specifying something [wət]) could(past tense of 'can', expressing possibility or ability [kʊd]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) buy(purchase something [baɪ]) it(referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt]) with(using something as a means or instrument [wɪθ])? (end of a question)he(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]) asked(past tense of 'ask', meaning to inquire [æst]) himself(referring to the person who is speaking or thinking [hɪmˈsɛlf]). (end of a sentence)Could(expressing possibility or ability [kʊd]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) buy(purchase something [baɪ]) it(referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt]) with(using something as a means or instrument [wɪθ]) a lost harpoon(a spear-like weapon that is missing [ə lɔst hɑrˈpun]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) a broken knife(a cutting tool that is damaged [ə ˈbroʊkən naɪf]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) two bad hands(two hands that are injured or not functioning well [tu bæd hænz])?
''You might(Indicates a possibility or suggestion, enclosed in double single quotes for emphasis or to denote speech. [ju maɪt]),'' he said(Attribution of the preceding statement to a male speaker. [hi sɛd]). ''You tried(Accusation or statement about a past attempt, enclosed in double single quotes for emphasis or to denote speech. [ju traɪd]) to buy it(The action of attempting to purchase something, with 'it' referring to a previously mentioned object. [tɪ baɪ ɪt]) with eighty-four days at sea(The means or currency used for the attempted purchase, specifically a long period spent at sea. [wɪθ eighty-four deɪz æt si]). They nearly sold it to you too(Statement indicating that the attempted sale almost succeeded, and that the listener was almost successful in acquiring the object, enclosed in double single quotes for emphasis or to denote speech. [ðeɪ ˈnɪrli soʊld ɪt tɪ ju tu]).''
I must not think nonsense(A directive to oneself to avoid illogical or irrational thoughts. [aɪ məst nɑt θɪŋk ˈnɑnsɛns]), he thought(Internal monologue marker, indicating the preceding thought is from a male character. [hi θɔt]). Luck is a thing(Luck is defined as an abstract concept. [lək ɪz ə θɪŋ]) that comes in many forms(Luck can manifest itself in various ways. [ðət kəmz ɪn ˈmɛni fɔrmz]) and who can recognize her(A rhetorical question about the difficulty of identifying luck, personified as female. [ənd hu kən ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz hər])? I would take some though in any form(Willingness to accept luck in any manifestation. [aɪ wʊd teɪk səm ðoʊ ɪn ˈɛni fɔrm]) and pay what they asked(Preparedness to give anything in exchange for luck. [ənd peɪ wət ðeɪ æst]). I wish I could see the glow(Desire to witness a faint light. [aɪ wɪʃ aɪ kʊd si ðə gloʊ]) from the lights(Originating from artificial light sources. [frəm ðə laɪts]), he thought(Internal monologue marker. [hi θɔt]). I wish too many things(Realization of excessive desires. [aɪ wɪʃ tu ˈmɛni θɪŋz]). But that is the thing(Emphasis on a specific desire. [bət ðət ɪz ðə θɪŋ]) I wish for now(The current, most pressing desire. [aɪ wɪʃ fər naʊ]). He tried to settle more comfortably(Attempt to find a better position. [hi traɪd tɪ ˈsɛtəl mɔr ˈkəmfərtəbli]) to steer(In order to maintain direction. [tɪ stɪr]) and from his pain(Due to the sensation of physical discomfort. [ənd frəm hɪz peɪn]) he knew he was not dead(Realization of being alive despite suffering. [hi nu hi wɑz nɑt dɛd]).
He saw the reflected glare(He perceived the bright, reflected light. [hi sɔ ðə rɪˈflɛktɪd glɛr]) of the lights of the city(Originating from the city's illumination. [əv ðə laɪts əv ðə ˈsɪti]) at what must have been(Estimating the time. [æt wət məst hæv bɪn]) around ten o'clock at night(Approximate time of day. [əraʊnd tɛn əˈklɑk æt naɪt]). They were only perceptible(The lights were barely visible. [ðeɪ wər ˈoʊnli pərˈsɛptəbəl]) at first(Initially. [æt fərst]) as the light is in the sky(Comparison to natural light. [ɛz ðə laɪt ɪz ɪn ðə skaɪ]) before the moon rises(Specific time of night. [ˌbiˈfɔr ðə mun ˈraɪzɪz]). Then they were steady(The lights became constant. [ðɛn ðeɪ wər ˈstɛdi]) to see(Visible. [tɪ si]) across the ocean(Over the expanse of the sea. [əˈkrɔs ðə ˈoʊʃən]) which was rough now(The sea state was turbulent. [wɪʧ wɑz rəf naʊ]) with the increasing breeze(Due to the strengthening wind. [wɪθ ðə ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ briz]). He steered inside of the glow(He navigated towards the light. [hi stɪrd ˌɪnˈsaɪd əv ðə gloʊ]) and he thought(Internal thought. [ənd hi θɔt]) that now, soon(Anticipation of an event. [ðət naʊ sun]), he must hit the edge(He will reach the boundary. [hi məst hɪt ðə ɛʤ]) of the stream(Of a current or flow. [əv ðə strim]).