---
title: formal — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «formal» in the school dictionary: Formal means serious and following proper rules, used in important or official situations. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# formal

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Formal, Formal clothes, Formal language, We, wedding, He · **What happens:** mean, follow, use, be, wear, do · **To what, where:** serious proper rules, important situations, smart clothes, proper way, formal letter, council

<!-- .vabout -->
«formal» in the school dictionary: its 4 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: [formal in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/formal.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Formal means serious and following proper rules, used in important or official situations.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:m1:1
# text = Formal means serious and following proper rules, used in important or official situations.
1	Formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	serious	serious	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	following	follow	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	conj	_	_
6	proper	proper	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	acl	_	_
10	in	in	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
11	important	important	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	official	official	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	conj	_	_
14	situations	situation	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Formal | serious proper rules |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent rule=Topic |
| 2 | **follow** | gerund | Formal *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **use** | participle |  | serious proper rules *not said here* |  | important situations |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «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 -->
Formal clothes are smart clothes worn for special events.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:m2:1
# text = Formal clothes are smart clothes worn for special events.
1	Formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	clothes	clothes	NOUN	NNS	Number=Ptan	5	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	smart	smart	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	clothes	clothes	NOUN	NNS	Number=Ptan	0	root	_	_
6	worn	wear	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	acl	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	special	special	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	events	event	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Formal clothes | smart clothes |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **wear** | participle |  | smart clothes *not said here* |  |  |  | for special events | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V PP-Conative»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Formal language is polite and careful, not chatty or slangy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:m3:1
# text = Formal language is polite and careful, not chatty or slangy.
1	Formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	language	language	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	polite	polite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	careful	careful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	9	advmod	_	_
9	chatty	chatty	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	parataxis	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	slangy	slangy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Formal language |  |  |  |  | polite *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **be** |  | Formal language *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Formal can mean official, done in the proper way.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:m4:1
# text = Formal can mean official, done in the proper way.
1	Formal	formal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	official	official	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
6	done	do	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	conj	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	proper	proper	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | Formal |  |  |  |  | official *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **do** | participle | Formal *not said here* |  |  | the proper way |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We wrote a formal letter to the council about the park.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:x1:1
# text = We wrote a formal letter to the council about the park.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wrote	write	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	letter	letter	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	council	council	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
9	about	about	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	park	park	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | past | We | a formal letter | the council about the park |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: agent=Agent letter=Topic to council=Recipient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The wedding was very formal.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:x2:1
# text = The wedding was very formal.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	wedding	wedding	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	very	very	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He wore a formal suit and tie.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:x3:1
# text = He wore a formal suit and tie.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wore	wear	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	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	suit	suit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	tie	tie	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | past | He | a formal suit and tie |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent suit=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Use formal language when you write to the head teacher.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:x4:1
# text = Use formal language when you write to the head teacher.
1	Use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	language	language	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	write	write	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	advcl	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	head	head	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | imperative | you *not said here* | formal language |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent language=Patient |
| 2 | **write** | present | you |  | the head teacher |  |  |  | vn lecture-37.11-1 «NP V PP.recipient PP.topic»: agent=Agent to teacher=Recipient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Use the formal written method for long multiplication.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:x5:1
# text = Use the formal written method for long multiplication.
1	Use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
3	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
4	written	write	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	amod	_	_
5	method	method	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	multiplication	multiplication	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | imperative | you *not said here* | the formal written method |  |  |  | for long multiplication | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP PP.predicate»: agent=Agent method=Theme for multiplication=Eventuality |
| 2 | **write** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We got a formal invitation to the school concert.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:x6:1
# text = We got a formal invitation to the school concert.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	invitation	invitation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	concert	concert	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | past | We | a formal invitation |  |  |  | to the school concert | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer invitation=Stimulus |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Hello» is more formal than «Hiya».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formal:x7:1
# text = «Hello» is more formal than «Hiya».
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Hello	hello	INTJ	UH	_	6	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	6	advmod	_	_
6	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
7	than	than	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	Hiya	Hiya	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | than Hiya; formal *property* | 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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