---
title: formulation — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «formulation» in the school dictionary: A formulation is the way an idea, rule or question is put into words. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# formulation

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** formulation, way, scientist, cough syrup, you, clear formulation · **What happens:** be, put, plan, fix, confuse, work · **To what, where:** way, idea, words, making, something, mixture

<!-- .vabout -->
«formulation» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [formulation in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/formulation.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A formulation is the way an idea, rule or question is put into words.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:m1:1
# text = A formulation is the way an idea, rule or question is put into words.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	formulation	formulation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nsubj:pass	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
12	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	aux:pass	_	_
13	put	put	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	acl:relcl	_	_
14	into	into	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a formulation | the way |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **put** | present · passive | the way *not said here* | a idea and rule or question |  | words |  |  | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: subject=Goal |

<!-- .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 -->
Formulation is the making or planning of something, like a plan or rule.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:m2:1
# text = Formulation is the making or planning of something, like a plan or rule.
1	Formulation	formulation	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	making	making	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	planning	planning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
10	like	like	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	parataxis	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Formulation | the making or planning of something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **plan** |  |  | something |  |  |  |  | nom planning «act transitive»: of=patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A formulation is a mixture with a fixed recipe, like a medicine or cream.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:m3:1
# text = A formulation is a mixture with a fixed recipe, like a medicine or cream.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	formulation	formulation	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	mixture	mixture	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	fixed	fix	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	amod	_	_
9	recipe	recipe	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	like	like	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	medicine	medicine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	cream	cream	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a formulation | a mixture and a medicine or cream |  |  |  | with a fixed recipe | tree rules |
| 2 | **fix** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn shake-22.3-2 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The formulation of the question confused the class.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:x1:1
# text = The formulation of the question confused the class.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	formulation	formulation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	confused	confuse	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **confuse** | past | the formulation of the question | the class |  |  |  |  | vn amalgamate-22.2-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent class=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The scientist worked on the formulation of a new theory.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:x2:1
# text = The scientist worked on the formulation of a new theory.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	scientist	scientist	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	worked	work	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	formulation	formulation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	theory	theory	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work** | past | the scientist |  |  |  |  | on the formulation of a new theory | vn employment-95.3 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent on formulation=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
This cough syrup is a children's formulation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:x3:1
# text = This cough syrup is a children's formulation.
1	This	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	3	det	_	_
2	cough	cough	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	syrup	syrup	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	's	's	PART	POS	_	6	case	_	_
8	formulation	formulation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | this cough syrup | a children's formulation |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Try a different formulation of the problem.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:x4:1
# text = Try a different formulation of the problem.
1	Try	try	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	different	different	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	formulation	formulation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | imperative | you *not said here* | a different formulation of the problem |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent formulation=Eventuality |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The formulation of the school rules took weeks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:x5:1
# text = The formulation of the school rules took weeks.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	formulation	formulation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
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	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	_
7	took	take	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	weeks	week	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | past | the formulation of the school rules |  |  |  | week |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A clear formulation makes a problem easier to solve.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:formulation:x6:1
# text = A clear formulation makes a problem easier to solve.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	formulation	formulation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	easier	easy	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	4	xcomp	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	solve	solve	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present | a clear formulation | a problem |  |  |  | easy *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset problem=Product |
| 2 | **solve** | to-infinitive | a problem *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: 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.

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