---
title: build — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «build» in the school dictionary: To build is to make something by putting parts together, like a house, a tower or a model. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# build

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** build, He, They, many birdhouses, each, Randy · **What happens:** build, be, put, build up, need · **To what, where:** parts, shape, tower, 3 houses, 6, castle

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To build is to make something by putting parts together, like a house, a tower or a model.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:m1:1
# text = To build is to make something by putting parts together, like a house, a tower or a model.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	build	build	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	csubj	_	_
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	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
8	putting	put	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
9	parts	part	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	_
10	together	together	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
12	like	like	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
16	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	tower	tower	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	appos	_	_
18	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
19	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
20	model	model	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | make *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **put** | gerund |  | parts |  |  |  | like a house; together *property* | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent part=Goal |

<!-- .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 -->
To build up is to make bigger or stronger, little by little.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:m2:1
# text = To build up is to make bigger or stronger, little by little.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	build	build	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	csubj	_	_
3	up	up	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
7	bigger	big	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	6	xcomp	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	stronger	strong	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	conj	_	_
12	by	by	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build up** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn caused\_calibratable\_cos-45.6.2-1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | big, make *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Your build is the shape and size of your body.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:m3:1
# text = Your build is the shape and size of your body.
1	Your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	build	build	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	shape	shape	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	size	size	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Your build | the shape and size of your body |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He built a tower with 25 blocks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x1:1
# text = He built a tower with 25 blocks.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	tower	tower	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	25	25	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	blocks	block	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | past | He | a tower |  |  |  | with 25 blocks | vn base-97.1 «NP V NP PP.source»: agent=Agent tower=Theme with block=Source |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
They build 3 houses each week.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x2:1
# text = They build 3 houses each week.
1	They	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	build	build	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	houses	house	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	6	det	_	_
6	week	week	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | present | They | 3 houses |  |  | week |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset house=Product |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
How many birdhouses can she build with 18 nails if each needs 6?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x3:1
# text = How many birdhouses can she build with 18 nails if each needs 6?
1	How	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	2	advmod	_	_
2	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	birdhouses	birdhouse	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
4	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
5	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	build	build	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	18	18	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	nails	nail	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	_
10	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
11	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	12	nsubj	_	_
12	needs	need	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	advcl	_	_
13	6	6	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | can | many birdhouses |  |  |  |  | with 18 nails | vn base-97.1 «NP V NP PP.source»: agent=Agent with nail=Source |
| 2 | **need** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | each | 6 |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot 6=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Randy built a castle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x4:1
# text = Randy built a castle.
1	Randy	Randy	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	castle	castle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We built a sandcastle on the beach.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x5:1
# text = We built a sandcastle on the beach.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	sandcastle	sandcastle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	beach	beach	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 | **build** | past | We | a sandcastle |  | the beach |  |  | vn base-97.1 «NP V NP PP.source»: agent=Agent sandcastle=Theme on beach=Source |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Birds build nests from twigs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x6:1
# text = Birds build nests from twigs.
1	Birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	build	build	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	nests	nest	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	from	from	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	twigs	twig	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | present | Birds | nests |  | twigs |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP.product PP.material»: agent=Agent nest=Product from twig=Material |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Practice builds up your strength.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x7:1
# text = Practice builds up your strength.
1	Practice	practice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	builds	build	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	up	up	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	strength	strength	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 | **build up** | present | Practice | your strength |  |  |  |  | vn caused\_calibratable\_cos-45.6.2-1 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Causer strength=Patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our school was built a hundred years ago.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x8:1
# text = Our school was built a hundred years ago.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	built	build	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	hundred	hundred	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	years	year	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl:unmarked	_	_
8	ago	ago	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | past · passive |  | Our school |  |  |  | ago *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: subject=Product |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Here we will build our habitations.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:build:x9:1
# text = Here we will build our habitations.
1	Here	here	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	4	advmod	_	_
2	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
3	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	build	build	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	habitations	habitation	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | future | we | our habitations |  | here |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent habitation=Product |

<!-- 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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