---
title: evasive — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «evasive» in the school dictionary: If someone is evasive, they avoid giving a clear, direct answer, often because they are hiding something. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/evasive/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/) / evasive

# evasive

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** someone, they, Evasive action, I, brother, minister · **What happens:** be, avoid, give, hide, swerve, duck · **To what, where:** clear direct answer, something, quick movement, danger, cake, evasive answer · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If someone is evasive, they avoid giving a clear, direct answer, often because they are hiding something.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:m1:1
# text = If someone is evasive, they avoid giving a clear, direct answer, often because they are hiding something.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	4	mark	_	_
2	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
6	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	avoid	avoid	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	parataxis	_	_
8	giving	give	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	xcomp	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
10	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
12	direct	direct	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	19	punct	_	_
15	often	often	ADV	RB	_	19	advmod	_	_
16	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	19	mark	_	_
17	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	19	nsubj	_	_
18	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	19	aux	_	_
19	hiding	hide	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	advcl	_	_
20	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	19	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | someone |  |  |  |  | evasive *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **avoid** | present | they |  |  |  |  |  | vn avoid-52 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 3 | **give** | gerund | they *not said here* | a clear direct answer |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent answer=Theme |
| 4 | **hide** | present · progressive | they | something |  |  |  | often *property* | vn concealment-16-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Evasive action is a quick movement to avoid danger, such as swerving or ducking.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:m2:1
# text = Evasive action is a quick movement to avoid danger, such as swerving or ducking.
1	Evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	action	action	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	quick	quick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	movement	movement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	avoid	avoid	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	acl	_	_
9	danger	danger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=SCONJ	13	mark	_	_
12	as	as	ADP	IN	_	11	fixed	_	_
13	swerving	swerve	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	appos	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	ducking	duck	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Evasive action | a quick movement |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **avoid** | to-infinitive |  | danger |  |  |  |  | vn avoid-52 «NP V NP.location»: agent=Agent danger=Location |
| 3 | **swerve** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn meander-47.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 4 | **duck** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn avoid-52 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
When I asked who ate the cake, my brother was very evasive.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:x1:1
# text = When I asked who ate the cake, my brother was very evasive.
1	When	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	3	advmod	_	_
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	asked	ask	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	advcl	_	_
4	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	5	nsubj	_	_
5	ate	eat	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	cake	cake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
9	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	brother	brother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nsubj	_	_
11	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
12	very	very	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
13	evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	13	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ask** *speech: ask* | past | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **eat** | past |  | the cake |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cake=Patient |
| 3 | **is** | past | my brother |  |  |  |  | evasive *property* | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The minister gave an evasive answer to the question.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:x2:1
# text = The minister gave an evasive answer to the question.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	minister	minister	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The pilot took evasive action to avoid the birds.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:x3:1
# text = The pilot took evasive action to avoid the birds.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	pilot	pilot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	took	take	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	action	action	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	avoid	avoid	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | past | the pilot | evasive action |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent action=Theme |
| 2 | **avoid** | to-infinitive | the pilot *not said here* | the birds |  |  |  |  | vn avoid-52 «NP V NP.location»: agent=Agent bird=Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rabbit made evasive zigzags to escape the fox.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:x4:1
# text = The rabbit made evasive zigzags to escape the fox.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rabbit	rabbit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	zigzags	zigzag	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	escape	escape	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	fox	fox	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | the rabbit | evasive zigzags |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent zigzag=Product |
| 2 | **escape** | to-infinitive | the rabbit *not said here* | the fox |  |  |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme fox=Initial\_Location |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Stop being evasive and tell me what happened!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:x5:1
# text = Stop being evasive and tell me what happened!
1	Stop	stop	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	cop	_	_
3	evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	xcomp	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	tell	tell	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	_
6	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	5	iobj	_	_
7	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	8	nsubj	_	_
8	happened	happen	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stop** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |
| 2 | **is** | gerund | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | evasive *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **tell** *speech: assert* | infinitive | you *not said here* |  | me |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP what S»: agent=Agent i=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 4 | **happen** | past |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Her evasive reply made the detective suspicious.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:evasive:x6:1
# text = Her evasive reply made the detective suspicious.
1	Her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	evasive	evasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	reply	reply	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	detective	detective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	suspicious	suspicious	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | Her evasive reply | the detective |  |  |  | suspicious *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset detective=Product |
| 2 | **reply** |  | Her *= she* |  |  |  |  |  | nom reply «communication transitive»: poss=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 -->

<!-- pn -->
- ← previous: [evasion](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/evasion/)
- next →: [evasively](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/evasively/)
- ↑ back to [E in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/)