---
title: better — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «better» in the school dictionary: Better means more good. A score of 9 is better than a score of 7. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# better

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Better, score, adverb, you, I, Her · **What happens:** mean, be, sing, have, feel, score · **To what, where:** more, better hurry, better buy, second test, bus, coat · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«better» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 9 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: [better in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/better.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Better means more good. A score of 9 is better than a score of 7.

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* Better means more good.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:m1:1
# text = Better means more good.
1	Better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	obj	_	_
4	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Better | more |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent more=Topic |

<!-- .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.

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* A score of 9 is better than a score of 7.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:m1:2
# text = A score of 9 is better than a score of 7.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	score	score	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	2	nmod	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	0	root	_	_
7	than	than	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	score	score	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	7	7	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | a score of 9 |  |  |  |  | than a score of 7; good *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Better as an adverb means in a more good way: she sings better now.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:m2:1
# text = Better as an adverb means in a more good way: she sings better now.
1	Better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	5	nsubj	_	_
2	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	adverb	adverb	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
8	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	10	amod	_	_
9	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
12	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
13	sings	sing	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	conj	_	_
14	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	13	xcomp	_	_
15	now	now	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	13	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Better |  |  |  |  | in a more good way | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot in way=Attribute |
| 2 | **sing** *speech: express* | present | adverb |  |  |  | now | good *property* | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «NP.location V PP.theme»: agent=Location |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Better means less ill.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:m3:1
# text = Better means less ill.
1	Better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	less	less	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	4	advmod	_	_
4	ill	ill	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Better |  |  |  |  | ill *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I feel better today.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:m3e:1
# text = I feel better today.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	feel	feel	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	xcomp	_	_
4	today	today	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **feel** | present | I |  |  |  | today | good *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Had better» means should: you had better hurry.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:m4:1
# text = «Had better» means should: you had better hurry.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	csubj	_	_
3	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
5	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	_
10	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	11	amod	_	_
11	hurry	hurry	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** *in a quote* | past |  |  |  |  |  | good *property* | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **have** | past | you | better hurry |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hurry=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Which is the better buy: 3 for $1 or 5 for $2?

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x1:1
# text = Which is the better buy: 3 for $1 or 5 for $2?
1	Which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	5	amod	_	_
5	buy	buy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	7	punct	_	_
7	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	appos	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	$	$	SYM	$	_	5	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	1	1	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	5	5	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	10	conj	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	$	$	SYM	$	_	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	2	2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	14	nummod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Her score was 8 points better.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x2:1
# text = Her score was 8 points better.
1	Her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	score	score	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	8	8	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	points	point	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl:unmarked	_	_
6	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | Her score |  |  |  |  | 8 points *obl:unmarked*; good *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **score** |  | Her *= she* |  |  |  |  |  | nom score «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He did better on the second test.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x3:1
# text = He did better on the second test.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	did	do	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	better	well	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	2	advmod	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	second	second	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	7	amod	_	_
7	test	test	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 | **do** | past | He |  |  | the second test |  | well *property* | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Is it better to walk or take the bus?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x4:1
# text = Is it better to walk or take the bus?
1	Is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
2	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	walk	walk	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	csubj	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	conj	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	bus	bus	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | it |  |  |  |  | good *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **walk** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **take** | infinitive |  | the bus |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bus=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I was sick yesterday, but I feel better now.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x5:1
# text = I was sick yesterday, but I feel better now.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	sick	sick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	yesterday	yesterday	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
6	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	feel	feel	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
9	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	8	xcomp	_	_
10	now	now	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	8	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | I |  |  |  | yesterday | sick *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **feel** | present | I |  |  |  | now | good *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
You had better take a coat; it is cold.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x6:1
# text = You had better take a coat; it is cold.
1	You	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	xcomp	_	_
4	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	coat	coat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	10	punct	_	_
8	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	cold	cold	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | You |  |  |  |  | good *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **take** | infinitive | You *not said here* | a coat |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent coat=Theme |
| 3 | **is** | present | coat |  |  |  |  | cold *property* | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Her reading gets better every week.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x7:1
# text = Her reading gets better every week.
1	Her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	reading	reading	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gets	get	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	3	xcomp	_	_
5	every	every	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	6	det	_	_
6	week	week	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | present | Her reading |  |  |  | week | good *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **read** |  | Her *= she* |  |  |  |  |  | nom reading «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Get well soon and feel better!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x8:1
# text = Get well soon and feel better!
1	Get	get	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	1	advmod	_	_
3	soon	soon	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	1	advmod	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	feel	feel	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	_
6	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | soon, well *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **feel** | infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | good *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Can't you think of something better?"

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:better:x9:1
# text = Can't you think of something better?"
1	Ca	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	think	think	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obl	_	_
7	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	6	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **think** *speech: other* | can | you |  |  |  |  | of something | vn focus-87.1-1 «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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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