---
title: misunderstand — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «misunderstand» in the school dictionary: To misunderstand is to understand something wrongly, to get the wrong meaning. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# misunderstand

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** they, I, you, She, Many people, bees · **What happens:** misunderstand, be, get, mean, read, not misunderstand · **To what, where:** wrong meaning, person, question, me, idea, wrong room · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To misunderstand is to understand something wrongly, to get the wrong meaning.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:m1:1
# text = To misunderstand is to understand something wrongly, to get the wrong meaning.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	misunderstand	misunderstand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	csubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	understand	understand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	wrongly	wrongly	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	to	to	PART	TO	_	10	mark	_	_
10	get	get	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	wrong	wrong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	meaning	meaning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **misunderstand** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V how S»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | understand, wrongly *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **get** | to-infinitive |  | the wrong meaning |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer meaning=Stimulus |

<!-- .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 -->
To misunderstand a person is to get the wrong idea about what they mean or what they are like.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:m2:1
# text = To misunderstand a person is to get the wrong idea about what they mean or what they are like.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	misunderstand	misunderstand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	advcl	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	get	get	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	wrong	wrong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
11	about	about	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	10	nmod	_	_
13	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	nsubj	_	_
14	mean	mean	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	acl:relcl	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
16	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	14	conj	_	_
17	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	19	nsubj	_	_
18	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	19	cop	_	_
19	like	like	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **misunderstand** | to-infinitive |  | a person |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer person=Stimulus |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | get *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **mean** | present | they |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **is** | present | they |  |  |  |  | like *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I misunderstand the question if I read it too fast.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:x1:1
# text = I misunderstand the question if I read it too fast.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	misunderstand	misunderstand	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
6	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	read	read	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
8	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	obj	_	_
9	too	too	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	fast	fast	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **misunderstand** | present | I | the question |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer question=Stimulus |
| 2 | **read** *a condition, not said to happen* | past | I | question |  |  |  | fast *property* | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Topic |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't misunderstand me, I like your idea.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:x2:1
# text = Don't misunderstand me, I like your idea.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	misunderstand	misunderstand	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
6	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	like	like	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
8	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **misunderstand** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | me |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer i=Stimulus |
| 2 | **like** | present | I | your idea |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot idea=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She misunderstood and went to the wrong room.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:x3:1
# text = She misunderstood and went to the wrong room.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	misunderstood	misunderstand	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	went	go	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	wrong	wrong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	room	room	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **misunderstand** | past | She |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V how S»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **go** | past | She *not said here* |  |  | the wrong room |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme to room=Initial\_Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Many people misunderstand how bees make honey.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:x4:1
# text = Many people misunderstand how bees make honey.
1	Many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	misunderstand	misunderstand	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
5	bees	bee	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
6	make	make	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
7	honey	honey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **misunderstand** | present | Many people |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V how S»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **make** | present | bees | honey |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent honey=Product |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I'm sorry, I misunderstood what you said.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:x5:1
# text = I'm sorry, I misunderstood what you said.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	'm	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	sorry	sorry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
5	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	misunderstood	misunderstand	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
7	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	9	obj	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | I |  |  |  |  | sorry *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **misunderstand** | past | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V how S»: agent=Experiencer clause=Stimulus |
| 3 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent what=Topic |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If you misunderstand the instructions, ask the teacher.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:x6:1
# text = If you misunderstand the instructions, ask the teacher.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	3	mark	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	misunderstand	misunderstand	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	advcl	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
7	ask	ask	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **misunderstand** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you | the instructions |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer instruction=Stimulus |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* | imperative | you *not said here* |  | the teacher |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent teacher=Recipient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
“Ah!” cried the false princess, “why do you misunderstand my tears?

<!-- fold The tree, 11 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:misunderstand:x7:1
# text = “Ah!” cried the false princess, “why do you misunderstand my tears?
1	“	"	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Ah	ah	INTJ	UH	_	5	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	”	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
5	cried	cry	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	false	false	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	princess	princess	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
10	“	"	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	why	why	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	14	advmod	_	_
12	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	aux	_	_
13	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	14	nsubj	_	_
14	misunderstand	misunderstand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	conj	_	_
15	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	16	nmod:poss	_	_
16	tears	tear	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cry** *speech: express* | past | the false princess |  |  |  |  |  | vn manner\_speaking-37.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **misunderstand** *in a quote* | present · do-support | you | my tears |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer tear=Stimulus |

<!-- 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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