---
title: algorithm — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «algorithm» in the school dictionary: An algorithm is a list of clear, step-by-step instructions for solving a problem or doing a task. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# algorithm

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** algorithm, step instructions, computer program, you, robot, Long division · **What happens:** be, solve, do, step, follow, sort · **To what, where:** list, problem, task, set, computing, rules

<!-- .vabout -->
«algorithm» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 6 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [algorithm in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/algorithm.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An algorithm is a list of clear, step-by-step instructions for solving a problem or doing a task.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:m1:1
# text = An algorithm is a list of clear, step-by-step instructions for solving a problem or doing a task.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	list	list	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	step	step	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	by	by	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	step	step	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	compound	_	_
14	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	_
15	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	16	mark	_	_
16	solving	solve	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	14	acl	_	_
17	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
18	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	obj	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	doing	do	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	16	conj	_	_
21	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	22	det	_	_
22	task	task	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	20	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a algorithm | a list and step by step instructions |  |  |  | of clear | tree rules |
| 2 | **solve** | gerund | step instructions *not said here* | a problem |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent problem=Topic |
| 3 | **do** | gerund | step instructions *not said here* | a task |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent task=Eventuality |
| 4 | **step** |  | step instructions |  |  |  |  |  | nom step «act transitive»: by=agent |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In computing, an algorithm is the set of rules a computer program follows, for example to sort a list or to choose what videos to show you.

<!-- fold The tree, 27 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:m2:1
# text = In computing, an algorithm is the set of rules a computer program follows, for example to sort a list or to choose what videos to show you.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	computing	computing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	set	set	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nmod	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	compound	_	_
13	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nsubj	_	_
14	follows	follow	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
16	for	for	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	example	example	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	parataxis	_	_
18	to	to	PART	TO	_	19	mark	_	_
19	sort	sort	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	17	acl	_	_
20	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
21	list	list	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	obj	_	_
22	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	24	cc	_	_
23	to	to	PART	TO	_	24	mark	_	_
24	choose	choose	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	19	conj	_	_
25	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	26	nsubj	_	_
26	videos	video	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	24	obj	_	_
27	to	to	PART	TO	_	28	mark	_	_
28	show	show	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	24	xcomp	_	_
29	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	28	iobj	_	SpaceAfter=No
30	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a algorithm | the set |  | computing |  | of rules | tree rules |
| 2 | **follow** | present | a computer program | rules *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn chase-51.6 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent rule=Theme |
| 3 | **sort** | to-infinitive | a algorithm *not said here* | a list |  |  |  |  | vn classify-29.10 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent list=Theme |
| 4 | **choose** | to-infinitive | a algorithm *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **video** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 6 | **show** | to-infinitive | a algorithm *not said here* |  | you |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent you=Recipient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Write an algorithm for making a cup of tea.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:x1:1
# text = Write an algorithm for making a cup of tea.
1	Write	write	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	making	make	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	advcl	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	cup	cup	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	tea	tea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | imperative | you *not said here* | a algorithm |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent algorithm=Theme |
| 2 | **make** | gerund | you *not said here* | a cup of tea |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset cup=Product |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An algorithm must be precise, or the robot gets confused.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:x2:1
# text = An algorithm must be precise, or the robot gets confused.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	must	must	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
4	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	cop	_	_
5	precise	precise	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	robot	robot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
10	gets	get	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	conj	_	_
11	confused	confused	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | must | a algorithm |  |  |  |  | precise *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **get** | present | the robot |  |  |  |  | confused *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Long division is an algorithm for dividing big numbers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:x3:1
# text = Long division is an algorithm for dividing big numbers.
1	Long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	division	division	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	dividing	divide	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
8	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	numbers	number	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Long division | a algorithm |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **divide** | gerund | a algorithm *not said here* | big numbers |  |  |  |  | vn multiply-108-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The video app's algorithm suggests new videos.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:x4:1
# text = The video app's algorithm suggests new videos.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	video	video	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	app	app	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	's	's	PART	POS	_	3	case	_	_
5	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	suggests	suggest	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	videos	video	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **suggest** *speech: suggest* | present | the video app's algorithm | new videos |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent video=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We debugged our algorithm because the steps were in the wrong order.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:x5:1
# text = We debugged our algorithm because the steps were in the wrong order.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	debugged	debug	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	steps	step	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	nsubj	_	_
8	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
11	wrong	wrong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	order	order	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **debug** | past | We | our algorithm |  |  |  |  | vn debone-10.8 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent algorithm=Source |
| 2 | **is** | past | the steps |  |  | the wrong order |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A sorting algorithm puts numbers in order from smallest to largest.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:algorithm:x6:1
# text = A sorting algorithm puts numbers in order from smallest to largest.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	sorting	sorting	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	algorithm	algorithm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	puts	put	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	numbers	number	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	order	order	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
8	from	from	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	smallest	small	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	4	obl	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	largest	large	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put** | present | a sorting algorithm | numbers |  | order |  | from smallest to largest | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent number=Theme in order=Destination |

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**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

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