Vocabulary ladder

Pride and Prejudice

CHAPTER I.

Words that are not what they look like

You know these words. In this book they mean something else.

must be in want of a wife: must be in need of a wife (want here means lack, not wish)
said his lady to him one day: his wife said to him one day
have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?: have you heard that Netherfield Park has finally been rented out?
returned she: she answered
for Mrs. Long has just been here: because Mrs. Long has just been here
cried his wife, impatiently: his wife cried, out of patience
Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken: Mrs. Long says Netherfield has been rented
how can you be so tiresome?: how can you be so annoying?
Is that his design in settling here?: Is that his plan in moving here?
I see no occasion for that: I see no reason for that
for as you are as handsome as any of them: because you are as good-looking as any of them
but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now: but I don’t claim to be anything special now
It is more than I engage for, I assure you: That is more than I am promising to do, I can tell you
I desire you will do no such thing: I want you to do nothing of the sort
she is not half so handsome as Jane: she is not half as good-looking as Jane
but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters: but Lizzy is sharper than her sisters
how can you abuse your own children in such a way?: how can you insult your own children like that?
I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least: I have heard you speak of them with respect for at least twenty years
_Her_ mind was less difficult to develope: Her own mind was easier to work out
She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper: She was a woman who understood little, knew little, and could not be relied on for her mood

Set phrases

Fixed expressions with a settled meaning. Worth learning once.

Mr. Bennet made no answer: Mr. Bennet said nothing
This was invitation enough: That was all the encouragement she needed
My dear, you flatter me: My dear, you are being too kind about me
she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty: she should stop thinking about her own looks
merely on that account: only for that reason
I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you: I expect Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you
and I will send a few lines by you: and I will send a short note with you
though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy: though I must put in a good word for my little Lizzy
But you are always giving _her_ the preference: But you always favour her
They have none of them much to recommend them: There is not much to be said for any of them
You mistake me, my dear: You have got me wrong, my dear
But I hope you will get over it: But I hope you will get past it
Depend upon it, my dear: You can be sure of it, my dear

The words

In the order you will meet them.

that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place: that he came down on Monday in a carriage pulled by four horses to look at the place an object or practice the period took for granted
that he is to take possession before Michaelmas: that he is to move in before the end of September money
A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year: with four or five thousand pounds a year, a very large income, enough to make him one of the richest men for miles money
You are over scrupulous, surely: You are being far too particular, surely
nor half so good-humoured as Lydia: nor half as cheerful as Lydia
You take delight in vexing me: You enjoy annoying me
and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood: and live to see many young men with four thousand a year, very rich young men, move into the district money