---
title: lawful — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «lawful» in the school dictionary: Lawful means allowed by the law, legal. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lawful/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [L](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/) / lawful

# lawful

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Lawful, It, police, She, Fishing, Citizens · **What happens:** mean, allow, obey, accord, be, ride · **To what, where:** law, bike, path, lawful methods, lawful owner, lawful right · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lawful means allowed by the law, legal.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:m1:1
# text = Lawful means allowed by the law, legal.
1	Lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	allowed	allow	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	ccomp	_	_
4	by	by	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
8	legal	legal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Lawful |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **allow** | participle |  |  |  |  |  | by the law | vn allow-64.1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Causer |

<!-- .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 -->
Lawful can also mean obeying the law or right according to rules.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:m2:1
# text = Lawful can also mean obeying the law or right according to rules.
1	Lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	also	also	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	obeying	obey	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	xcomp	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
9	right	right	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
10	according	accord	VERB	VBG	ExtPos=ADP|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	12	case	_	_
11	to	to	ADP	IN	_	10	fixed	_	_
12	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | Lawful |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **obey** *not said to happen* | gerund | Lawful *not said here* | the law or right rules |  |  |  |  | vn abide\_by-93.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent law=Theme |
| 3 | **accord** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn future\_having-13.3 «NP V NP.theme (PP)»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It is lawful to ride a bike on this path.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:x1:1
# text = It is lawful to ride a bike on this path.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	ride	ride	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	csubj	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	bike	bike	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	on	on	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	10	det	_	_
10	path	path	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | It |  |  |  |  | lawful *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **ride** | to-infinitive |  | a bike |  | this path |  |  | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bike=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The police must use only lawful methods.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:x2:1
# text = The police must use only lawful methods.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	police	police	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	must	must	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	use	use	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	only	only	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
6	lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	methods	method	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | must | the police | lawful methods |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent method=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She is the lawful owner of the house.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:x3:1
# text = She is the lawful owner of the house.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	owner	owner	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | She | the lawful owner |  |  |  | of the house | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Fishing here without a licence is not lawful.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:x4:1
# text = Fishing here without a licence is not lawful.
1	Fishing	fishing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
2	here	here	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	1	advmod	_	_
3	without	without	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	licence	licence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	_
8	lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **is** | present | Fishing without a licence |  |  |  |  | lawful *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Citizens have the lawful right to vote.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:x5:1
# text = Citizens have the lawful right to vote.
1	Citizens	citizen	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	right	right	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	vote	vote	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | Citizens | the lawful right |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent right=Patient |
| 2 | **vote** | to-infinitive | Citizens *not said here* | the lawful right *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn dub-29.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the story, the knight was lawful and fair.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:x6:1
# text = In the story, the knight was lawful and fair.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	knight	knight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
8	lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	fair	fair	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the knight |  |  | the story |  | lawful *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **be** |  | the knight *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The first care of Adrastus was to aid Polynices in regaining possession of his lawful share in the government of Thebes.

<!-- fold The tree, 21 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lawful:x7:1
# text = The first care of Adrastus was to aid Polynices in regaining possession of his lawful share in the government of Thebes.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	first	first	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	3	amod	_	_
3	care	care	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	Adrastus	Adrastus	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
6	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	aid	aid	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
9	Polynices	polynice	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	_
10	in	in	SCONJ	IN	_	11	mark	_	_
11	regaining	regain	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	advcl	_	_
12	possession	possession	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
13	of	of	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
14	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	16	nmod:poss	_	_
15	lawful	lawful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
16	share	share	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nmod	_	_
17	in	in	ADP	IN	_	19	case	_	_
18	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
19	government	government	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	_
20	of	of	ADP	IN	_	21	case	_	_
21	Thebes	thebe	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	19	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the first care of Adrastus |  |  |  |  | aid *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **regain** | gerund | the first care of Adrastus *not said here* | possession of Adrastus's lawful share |  | the government of Thebes |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent possession=Theme |
| 3 | **care** |  | Adrastus |  |  |  |  |  | nom care «act intransitive»: of=agent |
| 4 | **possess** |  |  | Adrastus's lawful share |  |  |  |  | nom possession «act transitive»: of=patient |
| 5 | **share** |  | Adrastus |  |  |  |  |  | nom share «possession transitive»: poss=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 -->

<!-- pn -->
- ← previous: [law](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/)
- next →: [lawfully](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lawfully/)
- ↑ back to [L in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/)