---
title: brief — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «brief» in the school dictionary: Short in time or length. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# brief

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** you, facts, We, your, plan, design brief · **What happens:** use, be, give, need, have, keep · **To what, where:** few words, facts, someone, brief chat, answer brief, bridge · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«brief» in the school dictionary: its 6 meanings for a pupil and its 8 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: [brief in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/brief.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Short in time or length.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:m1:1
# text = Short in time or length.
1	Short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	length	length	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Using few words: be brief.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:m2:1
# text = Using few words: be brief.
1	Using	use	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	csubj	_	_
2	few	few	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	6	punct	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	cop	_	_
6	brief	brief	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | gerund |  | few words |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent word=Patient |
| 2 | **be** *speech: other* | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | brief *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: noun — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Instructions about a job or task: the brief for the project.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:m3:1
# text = Instructions about a job or task: the brief for the project.
1	Instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
2	about	about	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	job	job	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	task	task	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	brief	brief	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	conj	_	_
10	for	for	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	project	project	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: verb — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To give someone the facts or instructions they need.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:m4:1
# text = To give someone the facts or instructions they need.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	give	give	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	facts	fact	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	conj	_	_
8	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	need	need	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | to-infinitive |  | the facts or instructions | someone |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent someone=Recipient fact=Theme |
| 2 | **need** | present | facts *= fact* | the facts or instructions *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot fact=Theme |

## Meaning 5 {#m5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Briefs (plural): underpants.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:m5:1
# text = Briefs (plural): underpants.
1	Briefs	brief	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
2	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	plural	plural	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	6	punct	_	_
6	underpants	underpant	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Meaning 6 {#m6}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: noun, UK — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A lawyer's case; informal for a lawyer.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:m6:1
# text = A lawyer's case; informal for a lawyer.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	lawyer	lawyer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	2	case	_	_
4	case	case	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
6	informal	informal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	conj	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	lawyer	lawyer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We had a brief chat after school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x1:1
# text = We had a brief chat after school.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	brief	brief	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	chat	chat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	after	after	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	school	school	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 | **have** | past | We | a brief chat |  |  | after school |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent chat=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Please keep your answer brief.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x2:1
# text = Please keep your answer brief.
1	Please	please	INTJ	UH	_	2	discourse	_	_
2	keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
4	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	brief	brief	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 | **keep** | imperative | you *not said here* | your answer brief |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent brief=Theme |
| 2 | **brief** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom brief «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In brief, the plan worked.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x3:1
# text = In brief, the plan worked.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	brief	brief	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	worked	work	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work** | past | the plan |  |  |  |  | in brief | vn employment-95.3 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent in brief=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The design brief said: make a bridge from straws.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x4:1
# text = The design brief said: make a bridge from straws.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	design	design	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	brief	brief	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	6	punct	_	_
6	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	bridge	bridge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
9	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	straws	straw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the design brief |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **make** | infinitive | the design brief *not said here* | a bridge |  | straws |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V PP»: agent=Asset bridge=Product from straw=Material |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The coach briefed us before the match.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x5:1
# text = The coach briefed us before the match.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	briefed	brief	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	obj	_	_
5	before	before	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	match	match	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **brief** *speech: other* | past | the coach |  | us |  | before the match |  | vn advise-37.9 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent we=Recipient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He packed socks and briefs for the trip.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x6:1
# text = He packed socks and briefs for the trip.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	packed	pack	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	socks	sock	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	briefs	brief	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	conj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	trip	trip	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 | **pack** | past | He | socks and briefs |  |  |  | for the trip | vn spray-9.7-1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent sock=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rain was brief, just ten minutes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x7:1
# text = The rain was brief, just ten minutes.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	brief	brief	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
6	just	just	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
7	ten	ten	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	minutes	minute	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the rain |  |  |  | minute | brief *property* | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Here is a brief analysis of part of one of the tales in which this elementary abducer figures.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:brief:x8:1
# text = Here is a brief analysis of part of one of the tales in which this elementary abducer figures.
1	Here	here	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	0	root	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	brief	brief	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	analysis	analysis	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nsubj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	part	part	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	nmod	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	tales	tale	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	_
13	in	in	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	which	which	DET	WDT	PronType=Int	18	det	_	_
15	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	17	det	_	_
16	elementary	elementary	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	amod	_	_
17	abducer	abducer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	compound	_	_
18	figures	figure	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | a brief analysis of part of one of the tales  which abducer figures |  |  |  |  | here *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **analyze** |  |  | part of one of the tales  which abducer figures |  |  |  |  | nom analysis «act transitive»: of=patient |

<!-- 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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