---
title: humming — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «humming» in the school dictionary: Humming is singing a tune with your lips closed, making a «mmm» sound. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# humming

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Humming, She, her, We, bees, fridge · **What happens:** sing, close, make, be, mean, hum · **To what, where:** tune, lips, mmm sound, low steady buzzing sound, favourite song, humming

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Humming is singing a tune with your lips closed, making a «mmm» sound.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:m1:1
# text = Humming is singing a tune with your lips closed, making a «mmm» sound.
1	Humming	humming	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	singing	sing	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	tune	tune	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	lips	lip	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	_
9	closed	close	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	making	make	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	conj	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
13	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	mmm	mmm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	14	punct	_	_
16	sound	sound	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sing** *speech: express* | present · progressive | Humming | a tune |  |  |  | with your lips | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location tune=Theme |
| 2 | **close** | participle |  | your lips *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |
| 3 | **make** | gerund | Humming *not said here* | a mmm sound |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset sound=Product |

<!-- .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 -->
Humming is a low, steady buzzing sound, like bees, a fridge or machines.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:m2:1
# text = Humming is a low, steady buzzing sound, like bees, a fridge or machines.
1	Humming	humming	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
4	low	low	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	steady	steady	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
7	buzzing	buzzing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	sound	sound	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
10	like	like	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	bees	bee	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	fridge	fridge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
16	machines	machine	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Humming | a low steady buzzing sound and bees and a fridge or machines |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Humming (adjective) can mean busy and full of activity.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:m3:1
# text = Humming (adjective) can mean busy and full of activity.
1	Humming	humming	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
2	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	adjective	adjective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	3	punct	_	_
5	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
6	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
7	busy	busy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	xcomp	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	full	full	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	conj	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	activity	activity	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | Humming |  |  |  |  | busy *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She was humming her favourite song while she painted.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:x1:1
# text = She was humming her favourite song while she painted.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	humming	hum	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
5	favourite	favourite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	song	song	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
8	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	painted	paint	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hum** | past · progressive | She | her favourite song |  |  |  |  | vn manner\_speaking-37.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent song=Topic |
| 2 | **paint** | past | she |  |  |  |  |  | vn image\_impression-25.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **sing** |  | her *= she* |  |  |  |  |  | nom song «communication intransitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We heard the humming of bees in the lavender.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:x2:1
# text = We heard the humming of bees in the lavender.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	heard	hear	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	humming	humming	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	bees	bee	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	lavender	lavender	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 | **hear** | past | We | the humming of bees |  | the lavender |  |  | vn see-30.1-1-1 «NP V S»: agent=Experiencer humming=Stimulus |
| 2 | **hum** |  | bees |  |  |  |  |  | nom humming «event intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The fridge makes a quiet humming noise.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:x3:1
# text = The fridge makes a quiet humming noise.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fridge	fridge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	quiet	quiet	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	humming	humming	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	noise	noise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present | the fridge | a quiet humming noise |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset noise=Product |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Hum the tune if you don't know the words.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:x4:1
# text = Hum the tune if you don't know the words.
1	Hum	hum	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	tune	tune	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
6	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	_
8	know	know	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hum** | imperative | you *not said here* | the tune |  |  |  |  | vn manner\_speaking-37.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tune=Topic |
| 2 | **not** **know** *a condition, not said to happen* | present · do-support | you | the words |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer word=Stimulus |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The playground was humming with excitement before the holidays.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:x5:1
# text = The playground was humming with excitement before the holidays.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	playground	playground	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	humming	hum	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	excitement	excitement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
7	before	before	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	holidays	holiday	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hum** | past · progressive | the playground |  |  |  | before the holidays | with excitement | vn bulge-47.5.3 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Location with excitement=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The humming of the wires came from the electricity pylons.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:x6:1
# text = The humming of the wires came from the electricity pylons.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	humming	humming	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	wires	wire	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	_
6	came	come	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	electricity	electricity	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	pylons	pylon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **come** | past | the humming of the wires |  |  | the electricity pylons |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme from pylon=Initial\_Location |
| 2 | **hum** |  | the wires |  |  |  |  |  | nom humming «event intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
‘What’s that you’re humming?’ asked the old man.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:humming:x7:1
# text = ‘What’s that you’re humming?’ asked the old man.
1	‘	'	PUNCT	``	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	3	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	’s	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	’re	're	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	10	advcl	_	_
7	humming	hum	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	’	'	PUNCT	''	_	6	punct	_	_
10	asked	ask	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	man	man	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **'re** | past | you |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **hum** | gerund | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn bulge-47.5.3 «NP V»: agent=Location |
| 3 | **ask** *speech: ask* | past |  |  | the old man |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent man=Recipient |

<!-- 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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