---
title: clarifying — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «clarifying» in the school dictionary: Making something clearer or easier to understand, by explaining it more. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# clarifying

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** something, I, teacher, game, Thanks, Clarifying · **What happens:** make, understand, explain, remove, help, clarify · **To what, where:** something, it, liquid butter, bits, soup, clarifying question

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Making something clearer or easier to understand, by explaining it more.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:m1:1
# text = Making something clearer or easier to understand, by explaining it more.
1	Making	make	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
2	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	obj	_	_
3	clearer	clear	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	amod	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	easier	easy	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	3	conj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	understand	understand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
10	explaining	explain	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	conj	_	_
11	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	obj	_	_
12	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	10	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | gerund |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset something=Product |
| 2 | **understand** | to-infinitive | something *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |
| 3 | **explain** *speech: assert* | gerund |  | it |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=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.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Making a liquid, such as butter or soup, clear by removing the bits in it.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:m2:1
# text = Making a liquid, such as butter or soup, clear by removing the bits in it.
1	Making	make	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	11	csubj	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
3	liquid	liquid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
5	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=ADP	7	case	_	_
6	as	as	ADP	IN	_	5	fixed	_	_
7	butter	butter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	soup	soup	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
11	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
12	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
13	removing	remove	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	11	advcl	_	_
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	bits	bit	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obj	_	_
16	in	in	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | gerund |  | a liquid butter or soup |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset butter=Product |
| 2 | **remove** | gerund |  | the bits |  | soup |  |  | vn fire-10.10 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bit=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Helping to make something clear: «a clarifying question».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:m3:1
# text = Helping to make something clear: «a clarifying question».
1	Helping	help	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	10	csubj	_	_
2	to	to	PART	TO	_	3	mark	_	_
3	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	xcomp	_	_
4	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	3	obj	_	_
5	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	1	punct	_	_
7	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	clarifying	clarify	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	10	amod	_	_
10	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 2 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset something=Product |
| 3 | **clarify** *in a quote* | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Can I ask a clarifying question, please?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:x1:1
# text = Can I ask a clarifying question, please?
1	Can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	ask	ask	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	clarifying	clarify	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	amod	_	_
6	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
8	please	please	INTJ	UH	_	3	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ask** *speech: ask* | can | I | a clarifying question |  |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent question=Recipient |
| 2 | **clarify** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher was clarifying the rules of the game.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:x2:1
# text = The teacher was clarifying the rules of the game.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	clarifying	clarify	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	game	game	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **clarify** | past · progressive | the teacher | the rules of the game |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent rule=Patient |
| 2 | **rule** |  | the game |  |  |  |  |  | nom rule «cognition intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Thanks for clarifying that; now I understand.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:x3:1
# text = Thanks for clarifying that; now I understand.
1	Thanks	thanks	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
2	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	3	mark	_	_
3	clarifying	clarify	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	1	acl	_	_
4	that	that	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
6	now	now	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	1	advmod	_	_
7	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	understand	understand	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **clarify** | gerund | Thanks *not said here* | Thanks |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent that=Patient |
| 2 | **understand** | present | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Clarifying the question first helps you solve it.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:x4:1
# text = Clarifying the question first helps you solve it.
1	Clarifying	clarify	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	csubj	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	first	first	ADV	RB	NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	1	advmod	_	_
5	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	5	obj	_	_
7	solve	solve	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	_
8	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **clarify** | gerund |  | the question |  |  |  | first *property* | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent question=Patient |
| 2 | **help** | present | Clarifying | you |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent you=Beneficiary clause=Theme |
| 3 | **solve** | infinitive | you *not said here* | question |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mum is clarifying butter for the curry.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:x5:1
# text = Mum is clarifying butter for the curry.
1	Mum	mum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	clarifying	clarify	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	butter	butter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	curry	curry	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 | **clarify** | present · progressive | Mum | butter |  |  |  | for the curry | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent butter=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The coach drew a picture, clarifying where everyone should stand.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clarifying:x6:1
# text = The coach drew a picture, clarifying where everyone should stand.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	drew	draw	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	picture	picture	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
7	clarifying	clarify	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	_
8	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	11	advmod	_	_
9	everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	11	nsubj	_	_
10	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
11	stand	stand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **draw** | past | the coach | a picture |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent picture=Theme |
| 2 | **clarify** | gerund | the coach *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **stand** | should | everyone |  |  |  |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «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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