---
title: mocking — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «mocking» in the school dictionary: Mocking means laughing at someone or something in an unkind way, often by copying how they speak or move. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# mocking

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Mocking, they, that, you, sister, He · **What happens:** mean, laugh, copy, speak, move, mock · **To what, where:** someone, voice, unkind fun, accent, mocking laugh, ball · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mocking means laughing at someone or something in an unkind way, often by copying how they speak or move.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:m1:1
# text = Mocking means laughing at someone or something in an unkind way, often by copying how they speak or move.
1	Mocking	mocking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	laughing	laugh	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	xcomp	_	_
4	at	at	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	3	obl	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	conj	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	unkind	unkind	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
13	often	often	ADV	RB	_	15	advmod	_	_
14	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	15	mark	_	_
15	copying	copy	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	_
16	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	18	advmod	_	_
17	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	18	nsubj	_	_
18	speak	speak	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	advcl	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	move	move	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	18	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Mocking |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **laugh** *not said to happen* | gerund | Mocking *not said here* |  |  | someone |  |  | vn nonverbal\_expression-40.2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **copy** | gerund | Mocking *not said here* |  |  |  |  | often *property* | vn scribble-25.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **speak** *speech: other* | present | they |  |  |  |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **move** | present | they *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP.theme V»: agent=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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
As an adjective, mocking describes a voice, smile or look that shows unkind fun at someone.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:m2:1
# text = As an adjective, mocking describes a voice, smile or look that shows unkind fun at someone.
1	As	as	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	adjective	adjective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	mocking	mock	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	nsubj	_	_
6	describes	describe	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	voice	voice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
10	smile	smile	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	conj	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	look	look	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	conj	_	_
13	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	14	nsubj	_	_
14	shows	show	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	ccomp	_	_
15	unkind	unkind	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
16	fun	fun	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	_
17	at	at	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
18	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	14	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mock** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **describe** | present |  | a voice |  |  |  | as a adjective | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent voice=Theme as adjective=Attribute |
| 3 | **smile** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn manner\_speaking-37.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **look** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **show** | present | that | unkind fun |  | someone |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent fun=Recipient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Stop mocking your sister's accent.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x1:1
# text = Stop mocking your sister's accent.
1	Stop	stop	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	mocking	mock	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	1	xcomp	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	sister	sister	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	's	's	PART	POS	_	4	case	_	_
6	accent	accent	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stop** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Affector clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **mock** | gerund | you *not said here* | your sister's accent |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent accent=Theme |
| 3 | **accent** |  | your sister |  |  |  |  |  | nom accent «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He gave a mocking laugh when I missed the ball.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x2:1
# text = He gave a mocking laugh when I missed the ball.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	mocking	mocking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	laugh	laugh	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	8	advmod	_	_
7	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	missed	miss	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | He | a mocking laugh |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent laugh=Theme |
| 2 | **miss** | past | I | the ball |  |  |  |  | vn admire-31.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer ball=Stimulus |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mocking someone for their clothes is a form of bullying.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x3:1
# text = Mocking someone for their clothes is a form of bullying.
1	Mocking	mock	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	csubj	_	_
2	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	obj	_	_
3	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	clothes	clothes	NOUN	NNS	Number=Ptan	2	nmod	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	form	form	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	bullying	bullying	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mock** | gerund |  | someone |  |  |  | for their clothes | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Agent someone=Theme for clothes=Attribute |
| 2 | **is a** | present | Mocking | a form |  |  |  | of bullying | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The villain's mocking smile made Ellie angry.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x4:1
# text = The villain's mocking smile made Ellie angry.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	villain	villain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	2	case	_	_
4	mocking	mocking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	smile	smile	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	Ellie	Ellie	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
8	angry	angry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | the villain's mocking smile | Ellie |  |  |  | angry *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset ellie=Product |
| 2 | **smile** |  | the villain |  |  |  |  |  | nom smile «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
They kept mocking the new boy, so the teacher stepped in.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x5:1
# text = They kept mocking the new boy, so the teacher stepped in.
1	They	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	kept	keep	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	mocking	mock	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	xcomp	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	boy	boy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
8	so	so	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
11	stepped	step	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
12	in	in	ADP	RP	_	11	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | past | They |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mock** | gerund | They *not said here* | the new boy |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent boy=Theme |
| 3 | **step in** | past | the teacher |  |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Her voice was mocking, not friendly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x6:1
# text = Her voice was mocking, not friendly.
1	Her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	voice	voice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	mocking	mock	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
6	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	7	advmod	_	_
7	friendly	friendly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mock** | past · progressive | Her voice |  |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The mockingbird was mocking the other birds' songs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x7:1
# text = The mockingbird was mocking the other birds' songs.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	mockingbird	mockingbird	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	mocking	mock	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	'	's	PART	POS	_	7	case	_	_
9	songs	song	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mock** | past · progressive | the mockingbird | the other birds's songs |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent song=Theme |
| 2 | **sing** |  | the other birds |  |  |  |  |  | nom song «communication intransitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Laughing with a friend is fine; mocking them is not.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x8:1
# text = Laughing with a friend is fine; mocking them is not.
1	Laughing	laugh	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	csubj	_	_
2	with	with	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	friend	friend	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	fine	fine	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
8	mocking	mock	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
9	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
11	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **laugh** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | with a friend | vn nonverbal\_expression-40.2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | present | Laughing |  |  |  |  | fine *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **not** **mock** | gerund | Laughing *not said here* | them *= they* |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent they=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.

<!-- fold The tree, 11 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mocking:x9:1
# text = "Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
4	ever	ever	ADV	RB	PronType=Ind	5	advmod	_	_
5	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	ccomp	_	_
6	anywhere	anywhere	ADV	RB	PronType=Ind	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
9	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	asked	ask	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	with	with	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
13	mocking	mocking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	compound	_	_
14	laugh	laugh	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** *in a quote* | present · do-support | you |  |  |  | ever | anywhere *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* | past | he |  |  |  |  | with a mocking laugh | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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