---
title: improperly — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «improperly» in the school dictionary: Improperly means in a wrong or incorrect way, not as it should be done. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# improperly

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Improperly, way, seat, Food, ladder, judge · **What happens:** mean, not do, not be, be, allow, fit · **To what, where:** way, car seat, Food, you, ladder, officer · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«improperly» in the school dictionary: its 2 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: [improperly in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/improperly.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Improperly means in a wrong or incorrect way, not as it should be done.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:m1:1
# text = Improperly means in a wrong or incorrect way, not as it should be done.
1	Improperly	Improperly	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
5	wrong	wrong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	incorrect	incorrect	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	conj	_	_
8	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
10	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	15	advmod	_	_
11	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	15	mark	_	_
12	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	15	nsubj:pass	_	_
13	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	15	aux	_	_
14	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	15	aux:pass	_	_
15	done	do	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Improperly |  |  |  |  | in a wrong way | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot in way=Attribute |
| 2 | **not** **do** | should · passive |  | way |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Eventuality |

<!-- .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 -->
Improperly means in a way that is not polite, honest or allowed.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:m2:1
# text = Improperly means in a way that is not polite, honest or allowed.
1	Improperly	Improperly	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	9	advmod	_	_
9	polite	polite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	honest	honest	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	conj	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	allowed	allow	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Improperly |  |  |  |  | in a way | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot in way=Attribute |
| 2 | **not** **is** | present | a way |  |  |  |  | polite *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **be** |  | a way *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **allow** | participle | a way *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn allow-64.1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Causer |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The car seat was fitted improperly, so it was not safe.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:x1:1
# text = The car seat was fitted improperly, so it was not safe.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	seat	seat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	fitted	fit	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	improperly	improperly	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
8	so	so	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
10	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
11	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	12	advmod	_	_
12	safe	safe	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fit** | past · passive |  | the car seat |  |  |  | improperly *property* | vn adjust-26.9 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |
| 2 | **not** **is** | past | seat |  |  |  |  | safe *property* | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Food stored improperly can make you ill.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:x2:1
# text = Food stored improperly can make you ill.
1	Food	food	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	stored	store	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	acl	_	_
3	improperly	improperly	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	5	obj	_	_
7	ill	ill	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **store** | participle |  | Food *not said here* |  |  |  | improperly *property* | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **make** | can | Food | you |  |  |  | ill *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.material V NP»: agent=Material you=Product |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ladder was used improperly and it slipped.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:x3:1
# text = The ladder was used improperly and it slipped.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ladder	ladder	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	improperly	improperly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	slipped	slip	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | past · passive |  | the ladder |  |  |  | improperly *property* | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |
| 2 | **slip** | past | ladder |  |  |  |  |  | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The judge said the officer had acted improperly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:x4:1
# text = The judge said the officer had acted improperly.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	judge	judge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	officer	officer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj:pass	_	_
6	had	have	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	acted	act	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	ccomp	_	_
8	improperly	improperly	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the judge |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **act** | past · perfect · passive |  | the officer |  |  |  | improperly *property* | vn act-114-1-1 «NP V PP.predicate»: subject=Eventuality |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If you wash wool improperly, it shrinks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:x5:1
# text = If you wash wool improperly, it shrinks.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	3	mark	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	wash	wash	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	advcl	_	_
4	wool	wool	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	improperly	improperly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	shrinks	shrink	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wash** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you | wool |  |  |  | improperly *property* | vn floss-41.2.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent wool=Patient |
| 2 | **shrink** | present | wool |  |  |  |  |  | vn bend-45.2 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The bin was closed improperly and the foxes got in.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:x6:1
# text = The bin was closed improperly and the foxes got in.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	bin	bin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	closed	close	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	improperly	improperly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	foxes	fox	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nsubj	_	_
9	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
10	in	in	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **close** | past · passive |  | the bin |  |  |  | improperly *property* | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |
| 2 | **get in** | past | the foxes |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He was improperly dressed for a wedding, in muddy football kit.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:improperly:x7:1
# text = He was improperly dressed for a wedding, in muddy football kit.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
3	improperly	improperly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	dressed	dress	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	wedding	wedding	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
10	muddy	muddy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
11	football	football	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	_
12	kit	kit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **dress** | past · passive |  | He |  | muddy football kit |  | for a wedding; improperly *property* | vn dress-41.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

<!-- 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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