---
title: ironically — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «ironically» in the school dictionary: In a way that is the opposite of what you would expect, which makes it strange or funny. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# ironically

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** that, you, opposite, fire alarm, spelling champion, champion · **What happens:** be, expect, make, say, mean, catch · **To what, where:** opposite, way, something, fire, own name, ball · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In a way that is the opposite of what you would expect, which makes it strange or funny.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:m1:1
# text = In a way that is the opposite of what you would expect, which makes it strange or funny.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
4	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	opposite	opposite	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	12	obj	_	_
10	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
11	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	12	aux	_	_
12	expect	expect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
14	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	15	nsubj	_	_
15	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	parataxis	_	_
16	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	15	obj	_	_
17	strange	strange	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	xcomp	_	_
18	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	19	cc	_	_
19	funny	funny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | that | the opposite |  | a way |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **expect** | would | you | the opposite |  |  |  |  | vn conjecture-29.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent what=Theme |
| 3 | **make** | present | the opposite | opposite |  |  |  | strange *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset it=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 -->
Saying something but meaning the opposite, as a joke.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:m2:1
# text = Saying something but meaning the opposite, as a joke.
1	Saying	say	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	10	csubj	_	_
2	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	obj	_	_
3	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	meaning	mean	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	conj	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	opposite	opposite	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
8	as	as	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	joke	joke	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | gerund |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent something=Topic |
| 2 | **mean** | gerund |  | the opposite |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent opposite=Topic |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ironically, the fire alarm caught fire.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:x1:1
# text = Ironically, the fire alarm caught fire.
1	Ironically	ironically	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	alarm	alarm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	caught	catch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **catch** | past | the fire alarm | fire |  |  |  | ironically *property* | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fire=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ironically, the spelling champion misspelt his own name.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:x2:1
# text = Ironically, the spelling champion misspelt his own name.
1	Ironically	ironically	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	spelling	spelling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	champion	champion	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	misspelt	misspelt	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
8	own	own	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	name	name	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **misspelt** | past | the spelling champion | champion's own name |  |  |  | ironically *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **name** |  | champion |  |  |  |  |  | nom name «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She clapped ironically when he dropped the ball.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:x3:1
# text = She clapped ironically when he dropped the ball.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	clapped	clap	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	ironically	ironically	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
5	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	dropped	drop	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **clap** | past | She |  |  |  |  | ironically *property* | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «NP.location V PP.theme»: agent=Location |
| 2 | **drop** | past | he | the ball |  |  |  |  | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent ball=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ironically, the dog was scared of the cat.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:x4:1
# text = Ironically, the dog was scared of the cat.
1	Ironically	ironically	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
5	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	scared	scared	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	cat	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the dog |  |  |  |  | of the cat; ironically, scared *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Brilliant,» he said ironically, looking at the mess.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:x5:1
# text = «Brilliant,» he said ironically, looking at the mess.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Brilliant	brilliant	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
5	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	ironically	ironically	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	looking	look	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
10	at	at	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	mess	mess	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | he |  |  |  |  | ironically *property* | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **look** | gerund | he *not said here* |  |  |  |  | at the mess | vn peer-30.3 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent at mess=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ironically, the shortcut took longer.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ironically:x6:1
# text = Ironically, the shortcut took longer.
1	Ironically	ironically	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	shortcut	shortcut	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	took	take	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	longer	long	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

<!-- 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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