---
title: main — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «main» in the school dictionary: Main means the most important or the biggest one, like the main road or the main idea. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# main

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Main, cable, mains, main course, main idea, Harry · **What happens:** mean, be, carry, like, go, turn · **To what, where:** main large pipe, water, buildings, electricity supply, wall sockets, biggest part · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«main» in the school dictionary: its 5 meanings for a pupil and its 9 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: [main in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/main.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Main means the most important or the biggest one, like the main road or the main idea.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:m1:1
# text = Main means the most important or the biggest one, like the main road or the main idea.
1	Main	main	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	most	most	ADV	RBS	Degree=Sup	5	advmod	_	_
5	important	important	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	ccomp	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	biggest	big	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	9	amod	_	_
9	one	one	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
11	like	like	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
13	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	road	road	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
16	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
17	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	18	amod	_	_
18	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

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

<!-- .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 -->
A main is a large pipe or cable that carries water, gas or electricity to buildings.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:m2:1
# text = A main is a large pipe or cable that carries water, gas or electricity to buildings.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	large	large	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	pipe	pipe	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	cable	cable	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
9	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	10	nsubj	_	_
10	carries	carry	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	acl:relcl	_	_
11	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
13	gas	gas	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	electricity	electricity	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	_
16	to	to	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	buildings	building	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | a main large pipe or cable |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **carry** | present | cable | water and gas or electricity |  | buildings |  |  | vn carry-11.4 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent water=Theme to building=Destination |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The mains is the electricity supply from the wall sockets.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:m3:1
# text = The mains is the electricity supply from the wall sockets.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	mains	main	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	electricity	electricity	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	supply	supply	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	wall	wall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	sockets	socket	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the mains | the electricity supply |  | the wall sockets |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In British English, a main or main course is the biggest part of a meal.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:m4:1
# text = In British English, a main or main course is the biggest part of a meal.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	British	British	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	English	English	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
6	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	conj	_	_
9	course	course	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nsubj	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	biggest	big	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	13	amod	_	_
13	part	part	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	meal	meal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	13	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a main course | the biggest part |  | British English |  | of a meal | tree rules |

## Meaning 5 {#m5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Long ago, main could mean very or greatly, as in "I would main like to go.".

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:m5:1
# text = Long ago, main could mean very or greatly, as in "I would main like to go.".
1	Long	long	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	2	advmod	_	_
2	ago	ago	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	nsubj	_	_
5	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
6	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
7	very	very	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	greatly	greatly	ADV	RB	_	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
11	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	16	mark	_	_
12	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	fixed	_	_
13	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	16	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	16	nsubj	_	_
15	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	16	aux	_	_
16	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	advcl	_	_
17	like	like	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	6	parataxis	_	_
18	to	to	PART	TO	_	19	mark	_	_
19	go	go	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	17	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	17	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	17	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | could | main |  |  |  |  | ago *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **like** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 3 | **go** *not said to happen, in a quote* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
What is the main idea of this paragraph?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x1:1
# text = What is the main idea of this paragraph?
1	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	0	root	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nsubj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	8	det	_	_
8	paragraph	paragraph	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the main idea of this paragraph |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Harry is the main character in the book.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x2:1
# text = Harry is the main character in the book.
1	Harry	Harry	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	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	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	book	book	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 | Harry | the main character |  | the book |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Turn left onto the main road.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x3:1
# text = Turn left onto the main road.
1	Turn	turn	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	left	left	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	_
3	onto	onto	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	road	road	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **turn** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  | the main road |  | left *property* | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP V PP.trajectory»: agent=Theme onto road=Trajectory |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The main thing is that nobody got hurt.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x4:1
# text = The main thing is that nobody got hurt.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj:pass	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
5	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
6	nobody	nobody	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Neg	8	nsubj:pass	_	_
7	got	get	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux:pass	_	_
8	hurt	hurt	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present · passive |  | the main thing |  |  |  | hurt *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
For my main course I'll have fish.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x5:1
# text = For my main course I'll have fish.
1	For	for	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
3	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	course	course	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
5	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	'll	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	have	have	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
8	fish	fish	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | future | I | fish |  |  |  | for my main course | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fish=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A water main burst and flooded the street.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x6:1
# text = A water main burst and flooded the street.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	burst	burst	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	flooded	flood	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	street	street	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **flood** | past | a water and main burst | the street |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent street=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Never touch mains electricity.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x7:1
# text = Never touch mains electricity.
1	Never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	2	advmod	_	_
2	touch	touch	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	mains	main	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	compound	_	_
4	electricity	electricity	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **touch** | imperative | you *not said here* | mains electricity |  |  |  |  | vn contiguous\_location-47.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme electricity=Co-Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The main entrance is at the front of the school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x8:1
# text = The main entrance is at the front of the school.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	entrance	entrance	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	front	front	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the main entrance |  |  | the front |  | of the school | tree rules |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Yet its main incidents occur with frequency in Continental folk-tales.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:main:x9:1
# text = Yet its main incidents occur with frequency in Continental folk-tales.
1	Yet	yet	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
2	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
3	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	incidents	incident	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
5	occur	occur	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	frequency	frequency	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
9	Continental	continental	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
10	folk	folk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	tales	tale	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **occur** | present | its main incidents |  |  | Continental folk tales |  | with frequency | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Theme in tale=Location |

<!-- 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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