---
title: explain — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «explain» in the school dictionary: To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# explain

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** something, you, teacher, game, your, I · **What happens:** make, understand, describe, give, explain, be · **To what, where:** something, it, reason, 24, rules, answer · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:m1:1
# text = To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	easy	easy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	understand	understand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
9	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
10	describing	describe	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	advcl	_	_
11	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | 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 | **describe** | gerund | something *not said here* | it |  |  |  |  | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent it=Theme |

<!-- .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 give a reason for something: «Can you explain why you were late?».

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:m2:1
# text = To give a reason for something: «Can you explain why you were late?».
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	give	give	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	advcl	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	reason	reason	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	2	punct	_	_
8	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	Can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
10	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	_
11	explain	explain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
12	why	why	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	15	advmod	_	_
13	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	15	nsubj	_	_
14	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	15	cop	_	_
15	late	late	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | a reason |  |  |  | for something | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP PP.asset»: agent=Agent reason=Theme for something=Asset |
| 2 | **explain** *speech: assert* *in a quote* | can | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is** *in a quote* | past | you |  |  |  |  | late *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Can you explain how you got 24?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x1:1
# text = Can you explain how you got 24?
1	Can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	explain	explain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	_
7	24	24	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | can | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **get** | past | you | 24 |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer 24=Stimulus |

## Example 2 {#x2}

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

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

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | past | the teacher | the rules of the game |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent rule=Topic |
| 2 | **rule** |  | the game |  |  |  |  |  | nom rule «cognition intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Please explain why you were late.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x3:1
# text = Please explain why you were late.
1	Please	please	INTJ	UH	_	2	discourse	_	_
2	explain	explain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	why	why	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
4	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
5	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	late	late	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	2	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | past | you |  |  |  |  | late *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Explain your answer with a picture.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x4:1
# text = Explain your answer with a picture.
1	Explain	explain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	picture	picture	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* | your answer |  |  |  | with a picture | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent answer=Topic |
| 2 | **answer** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom answer «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I'll explain it again more slowly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x5:1
# text = I'll explain it again more slowly.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	'll	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	explain	explain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	obj	_	_
5	again	again	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
6	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	7	advmod	_	_
7	slowly	slowly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | future | I | it |  |  | again | slowly *property* | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Topic |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Can you explain how a rainbow forms?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x6:1
# text = Can you explain how a rainbow forms?
1	Can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	explain	explain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	7	advmod	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	rainbow	rainbow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
7	forms	form	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | can | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **form** | present | a rainbow |  |  |  |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She explained the problem to her mum.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x7:1
# text = She explained the problem to her mum.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	explained	explain	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	mum	mum	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 | **explain** *speech: assert* | past | She | the problem | her mum |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: agent=Agent problem=Topic to mum=Recipient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
There's no need to explain — I understand.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x8:1
# text = There's no need to explain — I understand.
1	There	there	PRON	EX	PronType=Dem	2	expl	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	be	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	no	no	DET	DT	PronType=Neg	4	det	_	_
4	need	need	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	explain	explain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	acl	_	_
7	—	-	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	understand	understand	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **be** | present | no need |  |  | there |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **explain** *speech: assert* | to-infinitive | no need *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **understand** | present | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I cannot explain more at present.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:explain:x9:1
# text = I cannot explain more at present.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	explain	explain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	4	advmod	_	_
6	at	at	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	present	present	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **explain** *speech: assert* | can | I |  |  | present |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «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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