---
title: backhand — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «backhand» in the school dictionary: A backhand is a shot in tennis, badminton, table tennis or squash, where you hit the ball with your arm across your body and the back of your hand facing the ball. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# backhand

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** backhand, you, hand, writing, She, your · **What happens:** be, hit, face, describe, slope, practise · **To what, where:** shot, tennis, ball, body, writing, great backhand · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«backhand» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [backhand in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/backhand.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A backhand is a shot in tennis, badminton, table tennis or squash, where you hit the ball with your arm across your body and the back of your hand facing the ball.

<!-- fold The tree, 32 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:m1:1
# text = A backhand is a shot in tennis, badminton, table tennis or squash, where you hit the ball with your arm across your body and the back of your hand facing the ball.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	backhand	backhand	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	shot	shot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	tennis	tennis	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	badminton	badminton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
11	table	table	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	_
12	tennis	tennis	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	parataxis	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	squash	squash	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
16	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	18	advmod	_	_
17	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	18	nsubj	_	_
18	hit	hit	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
19	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
20	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	obj	_	_
21	with	with	ADP	IN	_	23	case	_	_
22	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	23	nmod:poss	_	_
23	arm	arm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	obl	_	_
24	across	across	ADP	IN	_	26	case	_	_
25	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	26	nmod:poss	_	_
26	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	obl	_	_
27	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	29	cc	_	_
28	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	29	det	_	_
29	back	back	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	26	conj	_	_
30	of	of	ADP	IN	_	32	case	_	_
31	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	32	nmod:poss	_	_
32	hand	hand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	29	nmod	_	_
33	facing	face	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	32	acl	_	_
34	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	35	det	_	_
35	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	33	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
36	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a backhand | a shot |  | tennis and badminton |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **hit** | past | you | the ball |  | your body and the back of your hand |  | with your arm | vn hit-18.1-1 «NP V NP PP.instrument»: agent=Agent ball=Patient with arm=Instrument |
| 3 | **face** | gerund | your hand *not said here* | the ball |  |  |  |  | vn fill-9.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme ball=Destination |

<!-- .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 -->
Backhand can describe writing that slopes to the left.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:m2:1
# text = Backhand can describe writing that slopes to the left.
1	Backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	describe	describe	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	slopes	slope	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	left	left	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **describe** | can | Backhand | writing |  |  |  |  | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent writing=Theme |
| 2 | **slope** | present | writing |  |  |  |  | to the left | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To backhand is to hit with the back of the hand.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:m3:1
# text = To backhand is to hit with the back of the hand.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	hit	hit	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	back	back	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	hand	hand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | backhand |  |  |  |  | with the back of the hand; hit *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She hit a great backhand down the line.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:x1:1
# text = She hit a great backhand down the line.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	hit	hit	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	great	great	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	down	down	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	line	line	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hit** | past | She | a great backhand |  |  |  | down the line | vn contiguous\_location-47.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme backhand=Co-Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Practise your backhand against the wall.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:x2:1
# text = Practise your backhand against the wall.
1	Practise	practise	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	against	against	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	wall	wall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **practise** | imperative | you *not said here* | your backhand |  |  |  | against the wall | tree rules |
| 2 | **backhand** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom backhand «act transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
His backhand is weaker than his forehand.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:x3:1
# text = His backhand is weaker than his forehand.
1	His	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	weaker	weak	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	0	root	_	_
5	than	than	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	forehand	forehand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | His backhand |  |  |  |  | than his forehand; weak *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **backhand** |  | His *= he* |  |  |  |  |  | nom backhand «act transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In table tennis, a backhand is played across your body.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:x4:1
# text = In table tennis, a backhand is played across your body.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	table	table	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	tennis	tennis	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj:pass	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux:pass	_	_
8	played	play	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
9	across	across	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | present · passive |  | a backhand |  | table tennis |  | across your body | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The coach showed us how to hold the racket for a backhand.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:x5:1
# text = The coach showed us how to hold the racket for a backhand.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	showed	show	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	iobj	_	_
5	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	7	advmod	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	hold	hold	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	ccomp	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	racket	racket	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
10	for	for	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **show** | past | the coach |  | us |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent we=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 2 | **hold** | to-infinitive |  | the racket |  |  |  | for a backhand | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent racket=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He caught the frisbee backhand.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backhand:x6:1
# text = He caught the frisbee backhand.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	caught	catch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	frisbee	frisbee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	backhand	backhand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **catch** | past | He | the frisbee backhand |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent backhand=Theme |

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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.

<!-- /div -->

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