---
title: grammar — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «grammar» in the school dictionary: The rules of a language about how words change and are put together into sentences. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# grammar

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** words, language, school, We, you, She · **What happens:** change, put together, rule, use, pick, have · **To what, where:** rules, sentences, speech, pupils, grammar test, grammar

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rules of a language about how words change and are put together into sentences.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:m1:1
# text = The rules of a language about how words change and are put together into sentences.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	language	language	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	about	about	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
7	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	9	advmod	_	_
8	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nsubj	_	_
9	change	change	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
10	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
11	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux:pass	_	_
12	put	put	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
13	together	together	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
14	into	into	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	sentences	sentence	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **change** | present | words |  |  |  |  |  | vn dress-41.1.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **put together** | present · passive |  | the rules of a language |  | sentences |  | together *property* | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: subject=Goal |
| 3 | **rule** |  | a language |  |  |  |  |  | nom rule «cognition intransitive»: of=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 -->
Using those rules correctly in speech or writing.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:m2:1
# text = Using those rules correctly in speech or writing.
1	Using	use	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	0	root	_	_
2	those	that	DET	DT	Number=Plur|PronType=Dem	3	det	_	_
3	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	correctly	correctly	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | gerund |  | that rules |  | speech or writing |  | correctly *property* | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent rule=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A book about grammar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:m3:1
# text = A book about grammar.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	about	about	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

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

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Short for «grammar school», a school that picks pupils by a test.

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:m4:1
# text = Short for «grammar school», a school that picks pupils by a test.
1	Short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
2	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
3	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
10	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	11	nsubj	_	_
11	picks	pick	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	acl:relcl	_	_
12	pupils	pupil	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	obj	_	_
13	by	by	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	test	test	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **pick** | present | a school | pupils |  |  |  | by a test | vn chew-39.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pupil=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We have a grammar test on Friday.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x1:1
# text = We have a grammar test on Friday.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	test	test	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	Friday	Friday	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | We | a grammar test |  |  |  | on Friday | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent test=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Check your grammar before you hand it in.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x2:1
# text = Check your grammar before you hand it in.
1	Check	check	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	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	hand	hand	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	advcl	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	RP	_	6	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **check** | imperative | you *not said here* | your grammar |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent grammar=Theme |
| 2 | **hand in** | present | you | grammar |  |  |  |  | vn send-11.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Every language has its own grammar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x3:1
# text = Every language has its own grammar.
1	Every	every	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	2	det	_	_
2	language	language	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
5	own	own	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	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 | every language | language's own grammar |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent grammar=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She bought a French grammar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x4:1
# text = She bought a French grammar.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	bought	buy	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	French	French	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **buy** | past | She | a French grammar |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent grammar=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My cousin goes to the grammar school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x5:1
# text = My cousin goes to the grammar school.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	cousin	cousin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	goes	go	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	school	school	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 | **go** | present | My cousin |  |  | the grammar school |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme to school=Initial\_Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grammar helps us make our meaning clear.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x6:1
# text = Grammar helps us make our meaning clear.
1	Grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	obj	_	_
4	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
5	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	meaning	meaning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | present | Grammar | us |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent we=Beneficiary clause=Theme |
| 2 | **make** | infinitive | us *not said here* | our meaning |  |  |  | clear *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset meaning=Product |
| 3 | **mean** |  | our |  |  |  |  |  | nom meaning «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
His spelling is good, but his grammar needs work.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x7:1
# text = His spelling is good, but his grammar needs work.
1	His	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	spelling	spelling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
6	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
7	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	grammar	grammar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
9	needs	need	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
10	work	work	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | His spelling |  |  |  |  | good *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **need** | present | his grammar | work |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot work=Theme |
| 3 | **spell** |  | His *= he* |  |  |  |  |  | nom spelling «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Readers, geographies, histories, grammars flew in all directions.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grammar:x8:1
# text = Readers, geographies, histories, grammars flew in all directions.
1	Readers	reader	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
3	geographies	geography	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
5	histories	history	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
7	grammars	grammar	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	conj	_	_
8	flew	fly	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	11	det	_	_
11	directions	direction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fly** | past | Readers and geographies and histories and grammars |  |  | all directions |  |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in direction=Location |

<!-- 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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