---
title: contradict — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «contradict» in the school dictionary: To contradict someone means to say the opposite of what they have said, showing you think they are wrong. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# contradict

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** they, you, two facts, facts, two things, two witnesses · **What happens:** contradict, mean, say, show, think, be · **To what, where:** someone, opposite, each, yourself, two things, other · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To contradict someone means to say the opposite of what they have said, showing you think they are wrong.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:m1:1
# text = To contradict someone means to say the opposite of what they have said, showing you think they are wrong.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	contradict	contradict	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	csubj	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	say	say	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	opposite	opposite	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	8	nmod	_	_
11	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
12	have	have	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	aux	_	_
13	said	say	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	10	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
15	showing	show	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
16	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	17	nsubj	_	_
17	think	think	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	ccomp	_	_
18	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	20	nsubj	_	_
19	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	20	cop	_	_
20	wrong	wrong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contradict** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **say** *speech: assert* *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | the opposite |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent opposite=Topic |
| 4 | **say** *speech: assert* | present · perfect | they |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **show** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 6 | **think** *speech: other* | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn focus-87.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 7 | **is** | present | they |  |  |  |  | wrong *property* | tree rules |

<!-- .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 -->
If two facts or statements contradict each other, they cannot both be true.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:m2:1
# text = If two facts or statements contradict each other, they cannot both be true.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
2	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	facts	fact	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	statements	statement	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	conj	_	_
6	contradict	contradict	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	advcl	_	_
7	each	each	DET	DT	ExtPos=PRON|PronType=Rcp	6	obj	_	_
8	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	fixed	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
10	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	15	nsubj	_	_
11	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	15	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	15	advmod	_	_
13	both	both	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	15	nsubj	_	_
14	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	15	cop	_	_
15	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	15	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contradict** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | two facts or statements | each |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **not** **is** | can | facts *= fact* |  |  |  |  | true *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To contradict yourself means to say two things that do not fit together.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:m3:1
# text = To contradict yourself means to say two things that do not fit together.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	contradict	contradict	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	csubj	_	_
3	yourself	yourself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	2	obj	_	_
4	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	say	say	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	_
9	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	12	nsubj	_	_
10	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux	_	_
11	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	12	advmod	_	_
12	fit	fit	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	acl:relcl	_	_
13	together	together	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contradict** | to-infinitive |  | yourself |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **say** *speech: assert* *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | two things |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent thing=Topic |
| 4 | **not** **fit together** | present · do-support | two things |  |  |  |  | together *property* | vn adjust-26.9 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The two witnesses contradicted each other.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x1:1
# text = The two witnesses contradicted each other.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	witnesses	witness	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	contradicted	contradict	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	6	det	_	_
6	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contradict** | participle | the two witnesses | each other |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Don't contradict your grandfather," said Mum.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x2:1
# text = "Don't contradict your grandfather," said Mum.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	contradict	contradict	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	ccomp	_	_
5	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	grandfather	grandfather	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
9	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	Mum	Mum	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **contradict** *in a quote* | infinitive · do-support |  | your grandfather |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | Mum |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The results of our test contradicted our prediction.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x3:1
# text = The results of our test contradicted our prediction.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	results	result	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	test	test	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	contradicted	contradict	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
7	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	prediction	prediction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contradict** | participle | the results of our test | our prediction |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **result** |  |  | our test |  |  |  |  | nom result «phenomenon transitive»: of=patient |
| 3 | **test** |  | our |  |  |  |  |  | nom test «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |
| 4 | **predict** |  | our |  |  |  |  |  | nom prediction «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
You just contradicted yourself: first you said yes, then no.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x4:1
# text = You just contradicted yourself: first you said yes, then no.
1	You	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	just	just	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	contradicted	contradict	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	yourself	yourself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
6	first	first	ADV	RB	NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	8	advmod	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
9	yes	yes	INTJ	UH	Polarity=Pos	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
11	then	then	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	12	advmod	_	_
12	no.	no.	NOUN	NN	Abbr=Yes|Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contradict** | past | You | yourself |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | you |  |  |  |  | first *property* | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent yes=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The new evidence contradicts his story.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x5:1
# text = The new evidence contradicts his story.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	evidence	evidence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	contradicts	contradict	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contradict** | present | the new evidence | evidence's story |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It's fine to contradict someone politely if you have facts.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x6:1
# text = It's fine to contradict someone politely if you have facts.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	expl	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	fine	fine	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	contradict	contradict	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	csubj	_	_
6	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	politely	politely	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
8	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	_
11	facts	fact	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | fine *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **contradict** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  | politely *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **have** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you | facts |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fact=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"All odd numbers end in 1" is contradicted by the number 3.

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x7:1
# text = "All odd numbers end in 1" is contradicted by the number 3.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	All	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	4	det	_	_
3	odd	odd	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	numbers	number	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
5	end	end	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	parataxis	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	1	1	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	aux:pass	_	_
10	contradicted	contradict	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
11	by	by	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	_
14	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	13	flat	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **end** *in a quote* | present | all odd numbers |  |  | 1 |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |
| 2 | **contradict** | present · passive | the number |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Will you dare to contradict me?" said the step-mother.

<!-- fold The tree, 10 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:contradict:x8:1
# text = "Will you dare to contradict me?" said the step-mother.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	dare	dare	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	ccomp	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	contradict	contradict	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
10	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
12	step	step	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	12	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	mother	mother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **dare** *in a quote* | future | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn urge-58.1-1 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **contradict** *in a quote* | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | the step mother *= mother* |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **say** *speech: ask* | past | the step mother |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |

<!-- 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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