---
title: formation — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «formation» in the school dictionary: Formation is the way something is made or forms over time. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# formation

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Formation, way, rock formation, We, geese, team · **What happens:** be, make, form, arrange in, learn, fly · **To what, where:** way, something, pattern, people, natural shape, formation

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Formation is the way something is made or forms over time.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:m1:1
# text = Formation is the way something is made or forms over time.
1	Formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	7	nsubj:pass	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux:pass	_	_
7	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl:relcl	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	forms	form	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	conj	_	_
10	over	over	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Formation | the way |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | present · passive | the way *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: subject=Product |
| 3 | **form** | present | the way *not said here* |  |  |  | time |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=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 -->
A formation is a pattern or shape that people, planes, birds or players are arranged in.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:m2:1
# text = A formation is a pattern or shape that people, planes, birds or players are arranged in.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	pattern	pattern	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	shape	shape	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	17	obj	_	_
9	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	17	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	planes	plane	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
13	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	conj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	players	player	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	conj	_	_
16	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	17	aux:pass	_	_
17	arranged	arrange	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	parataxis	_	_
18	in	in	ADP	RP	_	17	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a formation | a pattern or shape |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **arrange in** | present · passive |  | people and planes and birds or players |  |  |  |  | vn put-9.1 «NP V NP ADVP»: subject=Theme that=Destination |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A rock formation is a natural shape or group of rocks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:m3:1
# text = A rock formation is a natural shape or group of rocks.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	rock	rock	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	natural	natural	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	shape	shape	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	rocks	rock	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a rock formation | a natural shape or group of rocks |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The formation of a club or group is when it is set up.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:m4:1
# text = The formation of a club or group is when it is set up.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	club	club	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
9	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	12	advmod	_	_
10	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj:pass	_	_
11	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux:pass	_	_
12	set	set	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
13	up	up	ADP	RP	_	12	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present · passive |  | the formation of a club or group |  |  |  | set *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We learned about the formation of rain clouds.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x1:1
# text = We learned about the formation of rain clouds.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	learned	learn	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	about	about	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	clouds	cloud	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **learn** | past | We |  |  |  |  | about the formation of rain clouds | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V PP.topic»: agent=Agent about formation=Topic |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The geese flew south in a V formation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x2:1
# text = The geese flew south in a V formation.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	geese	goose	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	flew	fly	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	south	south	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	V	v	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fly** | past | the geese |  |  | a V formation |  | south *property* | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V NP.theme PP»: agent=Agent in formation=Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The team played in a 4-4-2 formation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x3:1
# text = The team played in a 4-4-2 formation.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	team	team	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	played	play	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	4-4-2	4-4-2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | past | the team |  |  | a 4-4-2 formation |  |  | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The cave has amazing rock formations.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x4:1
# text = The cave has amazing rock formations.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	cave	cave	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	amazing	amazing	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
5	rock	rock	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	formations	formation	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the cave | amazing rock formations |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent formation=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The planes flew in formation over the crowd.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x5:1
# text = The planes flew in formation over the crowd.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	planes	plane	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	flew	fly	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
6	over	over	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	crowd	crowd	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fly** | past | the planes |  |  | formation |  | over the crowd | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in formation=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Stalactites take a very long time in their formation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x6:1
# text = Stalactites take a very long time in their formation.
1	Stalactites	stalactite	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	take	take	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
4	very	very	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | present | Stalactites |  |  | Stalactites's formation | time |  | vn fit-54.3 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent in formation=Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The pupils stood in a formation of 5 rows of 6, so there were 30 of them.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x7:1
# text = The pupils stood in a formation of 5 rows of 6, so there were 30 of them.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	pupils	pupil	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	stood	stand	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	5	5	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	rows	row	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	6	6	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
13	so	so	ADV	RB	_	15	advmod	_	_
14	there	there	PRON	EX	PronType=Dem	15	expl	_	_
15	were	be	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
16	30	30	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	15	nsubj	_	_
17	of	of	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
18	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	16	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stand** | past | the pupils |  |  | a formation of 5 rows of 6 |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in formation=Location |
| 2 | **be** | past | 30 of pupils |  |  | there |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The formation of the school council was announced in assembly. (formal)

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* The formation of the school council was announced in assembly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x8:1
# text = The formation of the school council was announced in assembly.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	formation	formation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	council	council	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux:pass	_	_
8	announced	announce	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	assembly	assembly	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **announce** *speech: other* | past · passive |  | the formation of the school council |  | assembly |  |  | vn reflexive\_appearance-48.1.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* (formal)

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formation:x8:2
# text = (formal)
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

<!-- 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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