---
title: backyard — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «backyard» in the school dictionary: A backyard is the yard behind a house, often with grass; in the UK and Australia it is often called the back garden. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# backyard

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** backyard, She, fence, 9 birds, We, dog · **What happens:** be, call, plant, go, camp, dig · **To what, where:** yard, house, backyard, UK, 15 feet, 6 trees · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«backyard» in the school dictionary: its meaning for a pupil and its 11 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: [backyard in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/backyard.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A backyard is the yard behind a house, often with grass; in the UK and Australia it is often called the back garden.

<!-- fold The tree, 23 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:m1:1
# text = A backyard is the yard behind a house, often with grass; in the UK and Australia it is often called the back garden.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	yard	yard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	behind	behind	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
10	often	often	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
11	with	with	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	grass	grass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	22	punct	_	_
14	in	in	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	UK	UK	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	22	obl	_	_
17	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
18	Australia	Australia	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	_
19	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	22	nsubj:pass	_	_
20	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	22	aux:pass	_	_
21	often	often	ADV	RB	_	22	advmod	_	_
22	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	conj	_	_
23	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	25	det	_	_
24	back	back	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	25	compound	_	_
25	garden	garden	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	22	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
26	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a backyard | the yard and grass |  | a house |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **call** | present · passive |  | backyard |  | the UK and Australia |  | often *property* | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

<!-- .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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The backyard is 20 feet long and 15 feet wide.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x1:1
# text = The backyard is 20 feet long and 15 feet wide.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	20	20	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	feet	foot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl:unmarked	_	_
6	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	15	15	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	feet	foot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obl:unmarked	_	_
10	wide	wide	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the backyard |  |  |  |  | 20 feet *obl:unmarked*; long *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **be** |  | the backyard *not said here* | 15 feet |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She planted 6 trees in the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x2:1
# text = She planted 6 trees in the backyard.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	planted	plant	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	6	6	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	trees	tree	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **plant** | past | She | 6 trees |  | the backyard |  |  | vn put-9.1-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent tree=Theme in backyard=Destination |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A fence goes around the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x3:1
# text = A fence goes around the backyard.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fence	fence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	goes	go	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	around	around	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | present | a fence |  |  | the backyard |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme around backyard=Initial\_Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
9 birds are in the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x4:1
# text = 9 birds are in the backyard.
1	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	2	nummod	_	_
2	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | 9 birds |  |  | the backyard |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We camped in the backyard in a tent.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x5:1
# text = We camped in the backyard in a tent.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	camped	camp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	tent	tent	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 | **camp** | past | We |  |  | the backyard |  | in a tent | vn odge-46-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in backyard=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The dog dug a hole in the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x6:1
# text = The dog dug a hole in the backyard.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	dug	dig	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	hole	hole	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **dig** | past | the dog | a hole |  | the backyard |  |  | vn hunt-35.1 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent hole=Theme in backyard=Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dad grills burgers in the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x7:1
# text = Dad grills burgers in the backyard.
1	Dad	dad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	grills	grill	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	burgers	burger	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grill** | present | Dad | burgers |  |  |  | in the backyard | vn cooking-45.3 «NP V NP PP.instrument»: agent=Agent burger=Patient in backyard=Instrument |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We grow tomatoes in our backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x8:1
# text = We grow tomatoes in our backyard.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	grow	grow	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	tomatoes	tomato	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grow** | present | We | tomatoes |  | our backyard |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location tomato=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The kids built a fort in the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x9:1
# text = The kids built a fort in the backyard.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	kids	kid	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	fort	fort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | past | the kids | a fort |  | the backyard |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fort=Product |

## Example 10 {#x10}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A swing hangs from the tree in the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x10:1
# text = A swing hangs from the tree in the backyard.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	swing	swing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	hangs	hang	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	from	from	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	tree	tree	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hang** | present | a swing |  |  | the tree |  | in the backyard | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in backyard=Location |

## Example 11 {#x11}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Princess and the gardener's boy were playing in the backyard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:backyard:x11:1
# text = The Princess and the gardener's boy were playing in the backyard.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Princess	Princess	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	gardener	gardener	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	's	's	PART	POS	_	5	case	_	_
7	boy	boy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
8	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
9	playing	play	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
10	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	backyard	backyard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | past · progressive | the Princess and the gardener's boy |  |  | the backyard |  |  | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- div src -->

**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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