---
title: foolishness — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «foolishness» in the school dictionary: Foolishness is silly or unwise behaviour or thinking, without good sense. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# foolishness

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Foolishness, It, teacher, fable, Bible, He · **What happens:** be, think, mean, stop, swim, say · **To what, where:** nonsense, foolishness, river, wisdom, road, pure foolishness · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«foolishness» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 7 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: [foolishness in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/foolishness.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Foolishness is silly or unwise behaviour or thinking, without good sense.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:m1:1
# text = Foolishness is silly or unwise behaviour or thinking, without good sense.
1	Foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
5	unwise	unwise	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	behaviour	behaviour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	thinking	think	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
10	without	without	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	sense	sense	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Foolishness |  |  |  |  | silly *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **think** *speech: other* | gerund | Foolishness *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn focus-87.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .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 -->
Foolishness can also mean nonsense: «Stop this foolishness!».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:m2:1
# text = Foolishness can also mean nonsense: «Stop this foolishness!».
1	Foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	also	also	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	nonsense	nonsense	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	Stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	parataxis	_	_
9	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	10	det	_	_
10	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | Foolishness | nonsense |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **stop** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | this foolishness |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V NP.eventuality»: agent=Subeventuality foolishness=Eventuality |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It was foolishness to swim in the river alone.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:x1:1
# text = It was foolishness to swim in the river alone.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	swim	swim	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	acl	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	river	river	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
9	alone	alone	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | It | foolishness |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **swim** | to-infinitive |  |  |  | the river |  | alone *property* | vn run-51.3.2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in river=Trajectory |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Enough of this foolishness!» said the teacher.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:x2:1
# text = «Enough of this foolishness!» said the teacher.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Enough	enough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	ccomp	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	5	det	_	_
5	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
8	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the teacher |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The fable shows the foolishness of the greedy dog.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:x3:1
# text = The fable shows the foolishness of the greedy dog.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fable	fable	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	shows	show	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	greedy	greedy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **show** | present | the fable | the foolishness of the greedy dog |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent foolishness=Recipient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Bible compares wisdom with foolishness.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:x4:1
# text = The Bible compares wisdom with foolishness.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Bible	Bible	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	compares	compare	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	wisdom	wisdom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **compare** | present | the Bible | wisdom |  |  |  | with foolishness | vn amalgamate-22.2-2 «NP V NP PP.co-patient»: agent=Agent wisdom=Patient with foolishness=Co-Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He regretted his foolishness later.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:x5:1
# text = He regretted his foolishness later.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	regretted	regret	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	later	late	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	2	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regret** | past | He | his foolishness |  |  |  | late *property* | vn admire-31.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer foolishness=Stimulus |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Running across the road without looking is pure foolishness.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:x6:1
# text = Running across the road without looking is pure foolishness.
1	Running	run	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	csubj	_	_
2	across	across	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	road	road	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
5	without	without	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	looking	look	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	advcl	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	pure	pure	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **run** | gerund |  |  |  | the road |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme across road=Trajectory |
| 2 | **look** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Stimulus |
| 3 | **is a** | present | Running | pure foolishness |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"What foolishness," cried one, "to walk when they might as well ride.

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:foolishness:x7:1
# text = "What foolishness," cried one, "to walk when they might as well ride.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	3	nsubj	_	_
3	foolishness	foolishness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	3	punct	_	_
6	cried	cry	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
9	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	walk	walk	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	conj	_	_
12	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	17	mark	_	_
13	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	17	nsubj	_	_
14	might	might	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	17	aux	_	_
15	as	as	ADV	RB	ExtPos=CCONJ	17	cc	_	_
16	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	15	fixed	_	_
17	ride	ride	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **foolishness** *in a quote* |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **cry** *speech: express* | past | foolishness | one |  |  |  |  | vn manner\_speaking-37.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent one=Topic |
| 3 | **walk** *in a quote* | to-infinitive | foolishness *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 4 | **ride** *in a quote* | might | they |  |  |  |  |  | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2 «NP.agent V»: agent=Agent |

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**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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