---
title: minimalism — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «minimalism» in the school dictionary: A style that uses very few, simple shapes, colours or notes, leaving out everything that is not needed. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# minimalism

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** style, you, Minimalism, art teacher, new library, aunt · **What happens:** use, leave out, not need, live, buy, need · **To what, where:** few simple shapes, everything, simple shapes, minimalism, us, style

<!-- .vabout -->
«minimalism» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 8 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: [minimalism in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/minimalism.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: art, design, music — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A style that uses very few, simple shapes, colours or notes, leaving out everything that is not needed.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:m1:1
# text = A style that uses very few, simple shapes, colours or notes, leaving out everything that is not needed.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	style	style	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
4	uses	use	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl:relcl	_	_
5	very	very	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
6	few	few	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	simple	simple	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	shapes	shape	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	colours	colour	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	conj	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	notes	note	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
15	leaving	leave	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	4	advcl	_	_
16	out	out	ADP	RP	_	15	compound:prt	_	_
17	everything	everything	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	15	obj	_	_
18	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	21	nsubj:pass	_	_
19	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	21	aux:pass	_	_
20	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	21	advmod	_	_
21	needed	need	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	17	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | a style | few simple shapes and colours or notes |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent shape=Patient |
| 2 | **leave out** | gerund | a style *not said here* | everything |  |  |  |  | vn neglect-75.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent everything=Theme |
| 3 | **not** **need** | present · passive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: subject=Theme |

<!-- .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: lifestyle — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Living with fewer things and buying only what you really need.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:m2:1
# text = Living with fewer things and buying only what you really need.
1	Living	live	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
2	with	with	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	fewer	few	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	4	amod	_	_
4	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obl	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	buying	buy	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	conj	_	_
7	only	only	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
8	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	6	obj	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	_
10	really	really	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
11	need	need	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **live** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | with fewer things | vn lodge-46 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme with thing=Location |
| 2 | **buy** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent what=Theme |
| 3 | **need** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Minimalism uses simple shapes and lots of empty space.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x1:1
# text = Minimalism uses simple shapes and lots of empty space.
1	Minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	uses	use	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	simple	simple	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	shapes	shape	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	lots	lot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	conj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	empty	empty	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	space	space	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | Minimalism | simple shapes and lots of empty space |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent shape=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our art teacher showed us minimalism with paintings of single squares.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x2:1
# text = Our art teacher showed us minimalism with paintings of single squares.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	art	art	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	showed	show	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	iobj	_	_
6	minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	paintings	painting	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	single	single	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	squares	square	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **show** | past | Our art teacher | minimalism | us |  |  | with paintings of single squares | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent we=Recipient minimalism=Topic |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The new library has a style of minimalism: white walls and plain shelves.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x3:1
# text = The new library has a style of minimalism: white walls and plain shelves.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	library	library	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	style	style	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
10	white	white	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	walls	wall	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
13	plain	plain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	shelves	shelf	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the new library | a style of minimalism |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Minimalism in music repeats short patterns.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x4:1
# text = Minimalism in music repeats short patterns.
1	Minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	music	music	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
4	repeats	repeat	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	patterns	pattern	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **repeat** | present | Minimalism in music | short patterns |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pattern=Eventuality |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My aunt tried minimalism and gave away half her clothes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x5:1
# text = My aunt tried minimalism and gave away half her clothes.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	aunt	aunt	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	tried	try	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
7	away	away	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
8	half	half	DET	PDT	NumForm=Word|NumType=Frac|PronType=Ind	10	det:predet	_	_
9	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	clothes	clothes	NOUN	NNS	Number=Ptan	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | past | My aunt | minimalism |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent minimalism=Eventuality |
| 2 | **give away** | past | My aunt *not said here* | aunt's clothes |  |  |  | away *property* | vn contribute-13.2 «NP V NP.theme (PP)»: agent=Agent clothes=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Minimalism can help the planet by reducing waste.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x6:1
# text = Minimalism can help the planet by reducing waste.
1	Minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	help	help	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	planet	planet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	reducing	reduce	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	_
8	waste	waste	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | can | Minimalism | the planet |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent planet=Beneficiary |
| 2 | **reduce** | gerund | Minimalism *not said here* | waste |  |  |  |  | vn limit-76 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer waste=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Phone apps often use minimalism so they are easy to use.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x7:1
# text = Phone apps often use minimalism so they are easy to use.
1	Phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	apps	app	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	often	often	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
6	so	so	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
7	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
9	easy	easy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	advcl	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	use	use	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | Phone apps | minimalism |  |  |  | often *property* | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent minimalism=Patient |
| 2 | **is** | present | apps *= app* |  |  |  |  | easy *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **use** | to-infinitive | apps *= app* *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Some people find minimalism calming; others find it boring.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:minimalism:x8:1
# text = Some people find minimalism calming; others find it boring.
1	Some	some	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	find	find	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	minimalism	minimalism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	calming	calming	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	others	other	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
8	find	find	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	_
10	boring	boring	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **find** | present | some people | minimalism |  |  |  | calming *property* | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent minimalism=Topic |
| 2 | **find** | present | others | minimalism |  |  |  | boring *property* | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Topic |

<!-- 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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