---
title: commencement — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «commencement» in the school dictionary: Commencement is the beginning or start of something. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# commencement

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Commencement, students, She, you, own son, king · **What happens:** be, start, get, hold, give, arrive · **To what, where:** beginning, something, graduation ceremony, school, diplomas, commencement

<!-- .vabout -->
«commencement» in the school dictionary: its 2 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: [commencement in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/commencement.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Commencement is the beginning or start of something.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:m1:1
# text = Commencement is the beginning or start of something.
1	Commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	beginning	beginning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	start	start	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Commencement | the beginning or start of something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **start** |  |  | something |  |  |  |  | nom start «event transitive»: of=patient |

<!-- .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: US, Canada — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A commencement is a graduation ceremony at a school or university, when students get their diplomas.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:m2:1
# text = A commencement is a graduation ceremony at a school or university, when students get their diplomas.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	graduation	graduation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	ceremony	ceremony	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	university	university	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
13	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	15	advmod	_	_
14	students	student	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	nsubj	_	_
15	get	get	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	parataxis	_	_
16	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	17	nmod:poss	_	_
17	diplomas	diploma	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a commencement | a graduation ceremony |  | a school or university |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **get** | present | students | students's diplomas |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer diploma=Stimulus |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
No talking after the commencement of the test.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x1:1
# text = No talking after the commencement of the test.
1	No	no	DET	DT	PronType=Neg	2	det	_	_
2	talking	talking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	after	after	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	test	test	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The commencement of building work was delayed.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x2:1
# text = The commencement of building work was delayed.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	building	building	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	work	work	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	delayed	delayed	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the commencement of building work |  |  |  |  | delayed *property* | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My cousin's commencement was held in the gym.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x3:1
# text = My cousin's commencement was held in the gym.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	cousin	cousin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	2	case	_	_
4	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj:pass	_	_
5	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	aux:pass	_	_
6	held	hold	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	gym	gym	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hold** | past · passive |  | My cousin's commencement |  | the gym |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: subject=Theme in gym=Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She gave a commencement speech to the graduates.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x4:1
# text = She gave a commencement speech to the graduates.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	graduates	graduate	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | She | a commencement speech | the graduates |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: agent=Agent speech=Theme to graduate=Recipient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Arrive 10 minutes before the commencement of the match.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x5:1
# text = Arrive 10 minutes before the commencement of the match.
1	Arrive	arrive	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	10	10	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	minutes	minute	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	before	before	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	match	match	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **arrive** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  | before the commencement of the match; minute |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Commencement is at 10 a.m. sharp.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x6:1
# text = Commencement is at 10 a.m. sharp.
1	Commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	at	at	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	10	10	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	a.m.	a.m.	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	sharp	sharp	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Commencement |  |  | 10 a.m. |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The commencement of spring brings longer days.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x7:1
# text = The commencement of spring brings longer days.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	spring	spring	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
5	brings	bring	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	longer	long	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	7	advmod	_	_
7	days	day	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **bring** | present | the commencement of spring |  |  |  | day |  | vn bring-11.3-1 «NP V NP together»: agent=Agent |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Please switch off phones before commencement.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x8:1
# text = Please switch off phones before commencement.
1	Please	please	INTJ	UH	_	2	discourse	_	_
2	switch	switch	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	off	off	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	phones	phone	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	before	before	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	commencement	commencement	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 | **switch off** | imperative | you *not said here* | phones |  |  | before commencement |  | vn convert-26.6.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent phone=Patient |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"My own son and the son of my chief vizier!" exclaimed the king, who had been present from the commencement.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:commencement:x9:1
# text = "My own son and the son of my chief vizier!" exclaimed the king, who had been present from the commencement.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
3	own	own	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	son	son	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nsubj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	son	son	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
10	chief	chief	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	vizier	vizier	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	_
14	exclaimed	exclaim	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
15	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	king	king	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	21	punct	_	_
18	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	21	nsubj	_	_
19	had	have	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	21	aux	_	_
20	been	be	AUX	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	21	cop	_	_
21	present	present	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	nmod	_	_
22	from	from	ADP	IN	_	24	case	_	_
23	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	24	det	_	_
24	commencement	commencement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	21	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	14	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exclaim** *speech: express* | past | My own son and the son of my chief vizier | the king |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent king=Topic |
| 2 | **is a** | past · perfect | the king | present |  | the commencement |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- 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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