---
title: indefinitely — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «indefinitely» in the school dictionary: Indefinitely means for a time that has no fixed end; we do not know when it will stop. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# indefinitely

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** time, we, end, You, pattern, robot · **What happens:** mean, have, fix, not know, stop, close · **To what, where:** fixed end, swimming pool, match, house, road, power · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Indefinitely means for a time that has no fixed end; we do not know when it will stop.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:m1:1
# text = Indefinitely means for a time that has no fixed end; we do not know when it will stop.
1	Indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	no	no	DET	DT	PronType=Neg	10	det	_	_
9	fixed	fix	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	10	amod	_	_
10	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	15	punct	_	_
12	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	15	nsubj	_	_
13	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	aux	_	_
14	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	15	advmod	_	_
15	know	know	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	conj	_	_
16	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	19	advmod	_	_
17	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	19	nsubj	_	_
18	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	19	aux	_	_
19	stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	15	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  | time | indefinitely *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **have** | present | a time | no fixed end |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent end=Patient |
| 3 | **fix** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn shake-22.3-2 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Patient |
| 4 | **not** **know** | present · do-support | we |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V how S\_INF»: agent=Experiencer clause=Stimulus |
| 5 | **stop** | future | end |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Indefinitely can mean in an unclear or uncertain way.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:m2:1
# text = Indefinitely can mean in an unclear or uncertain way.
1	Indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
5	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
6	unclear	unclear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	uncertain	uncertain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	conj	_	_
9	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can |  |  |  |  |  | in a unclear way; indefinitely *property* | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot in way=Attribute |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The swimming pool is closed indefinitely for repairs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:x1:1
# text = The swimming pool is closed indefinitely for repairs.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	swimming	swimming	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	pool	pool	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	closed	close	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	repairs	repair	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **close** | present · passive |  | the swimming pool |  |  |  | for repairs; indefinitely *property* | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The match was postponed indefinitely because of the storm.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:x2:1
# text = The match was postponed indefinitely because of the storm.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	match	match	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	postponed	postpone	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
6	because	because	ADP	IN	ExtPos=ADP	9	case	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	fixed	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	storm	storm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **postpone** | past · passive |  | the match |  |  |  | because the storm; indefinitely *property* | vn delay-53.3-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Eventuality |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
You can't stay at your friend's house indefinitely.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:x3:1
# text = You can't stay at your friend's house indefinitely.
1	You	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	ca	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	stay	stay	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
6	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	friend	friend	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	's	's	PART	POS	_	7	case	_	_
9	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
10	indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **stay** | can | You |  |  | your friend's house |  | indefinitely *property* | vn exist-47.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme at house=Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The pattern 2, 4, 6, 8… goes on indefinitely.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:x4:1
# text = The pattern 2, 4, 6, 8… goes on indefinitely.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	pattern	pattern	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
3	2	2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	2	flat	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
5	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	3	flat	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
7	6	6	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	2	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	8	8	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	…	…	PUNCT	:	_	7	punct	_	_
11	goes	go	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
12	on	on	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
13	indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go on** | present | the pattern |  |  |  |  | indefinitely *property* | vn function-105.2.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The road will be shut indefinitely.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:x5:1
# text = The road will be shut indefinitely.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	road	road	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
4	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	shut	shut	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **shut** | future · passive |  | the road |  |  |  | indefinitely *property* | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: subject=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The robot can work indefinitely if it has power.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:x6:1
# text = The robot can work indefinitely if it has power.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	robot	robot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	work	work	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
6	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	advcl	_	_
9	power	power	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work** | can | the robot |  |  |  |  | indefinitely *property* | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **have** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | robot | power |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent power=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The crocodile passes, but soon the boys appear again, for the procession must continue indefinitely until one of the parties stops or changes its pace.

<!-- fold The tree, 25 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:indefinitely:x7:1
# text = The crocodile passes, but soon the boys appear again, for the procession must continue indefinitely until one of the parties stops or changes its pace.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	crocodile	crocodile	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	passes	pass	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
5	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
6	soon	soon	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	9	advmod	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	boys	boy	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nsubj	_	_
9	appear	appear	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	parataxis	_	_
10	again	again	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
12	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	16	mark	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	procession	procession	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	nsubj	_	_
15	must	must	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	16	aux	_	_
16	continue	continue	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	conj	_	_
17	indefinitely	indefinitely	ADV	RB	_	16	advmod	_	_
18	until	until	SCONJ	IN	_	23	mark	_	_
19	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	23	nsubj	_	_
20	of	of	ADP	IN	_	22	case	_	_
21	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	22	det	_	_
22	parties	party	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	19	nmod	_	_
23	stops	stop	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	16	advcl	_	_
24	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	25	cc	_	_
25	changes	change	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	23	conj	_	_
26	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	27	nmod:poss	_	_
27	pace	pace	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	25	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
28	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **pass** | present | the crocodile |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **appear** | present | the boys |  |  |  | again | soon *property* | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **continue** | must | the procession |  |  |  |  | indefinitely *property* | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 4 | **stop** | present | one of the parties |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |
| 5 | **change** | present | one of the parties *not said here* | procession's pace |  |  |  |  | vn dress-41.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pace=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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