---
title: nigh — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «nigh» in the school dictionary: Nigh means near, either in place or in time: «The end is nigh». Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# nigh

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** end, It, people, Winter, We, Bible · **What happens:** mean, be, take, use, shout, draw · **To what, where:** everyday speech, man, fog, hand, castle, teeth · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«nigh» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [nigh in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/nigh.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: old — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Nigh means near, either in place or in time: «The end is nigh».

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:m1:1
# text = Nigh means near, either in place or in time: «The end is nigh».
1	Nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	near	near	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
5	either	either	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc:preconj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	16	punct	_	_
12	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	16	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	nsubj	_	_
15	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	16	cop	_	_
16	nigh	nigh	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	16	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  | near, nigh *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **is** *in a quote* | present | the end |  |  |  |  | nigh *property* | tree rules |

<!-- .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 -->
Nigh on or well nigh means almost or nearly: «It took nigh on an hour».

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:m2:1
# text = Nigh on or well nigh means almost or nearly: «It took nigh on an hour».
1	Nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
2	on	on	ADV	RB	_	6	nsubj	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
4	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	5	advmod	_	_
5	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	2	conj	_	_
6	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	almost	almost	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	nearly	nearly	ADV	RB	_	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
11	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	13	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
13	took	take	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	parataxis	_	_
14	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
15	on	on	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
16	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	hour	hour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	13	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  | almost *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **take** *in a quote* | past | It |  |  |  | hour | nigh *property* | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: UK, dialect — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Some people in parts of England still use «nigh» in everyday speech for near.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:m3:1
# text = Some people in parts of England still use «nigh» in everyday speech for near.
1	Some	some	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	parts	part	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	England	England	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	_
7	still	still	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
8	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	_
12	in	in	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
13	everyday	everyday	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	_
15	for	for	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
16	near	near	ADV	RB	_	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | some people in parts of England |  |  | everyday speech | still | nigh *property* | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The end is nigh! shouted the man with the sign.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x1:1
# text = The end is nigh! shouted the man with the sign.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	nigh	nigh	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
6	shouted	shout	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	man	man	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
9	with	with	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the end |  |  |  |  | nigh *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **shout** *speech: express* | past | the end *not said here* | the man |  |  |  | with the sign | vn manner\_speaking-37.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent man=Topic |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Winter is drawing nigh.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x2:1
# text = Winter is drawing nigh.
1	Winter	Winter	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	drawing	draw	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **draw** | present · progressive | Winter |  |  |  |  | nigh *property* | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It was well nigh impossible to see in the fog.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x3:1
# text = It was well nigh impossible to see in the fog.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	5	advmod	_	_
4	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	impossible	impossible	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	see	see	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	fog	fog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | It |  |  |  |  | impossible, nigh, well *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **see** | to-infinitive |  |  |  | the fog |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We waited nigh on two hours for the bus.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x4:1
# text = We waited nigh on two hours for the bus.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	waited	wait	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	hours	hour	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	bus	bus	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wait** | past | We |  |  |  | hour | for the bus; nigh *property* | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(Bible) «The kingdom of God is nigh at hand.»

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x5:1
# text = (Bible) «The kingdom of God is nigh at hand.»
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Bible	Bible	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	kingdom	kingdom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	God	God	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	nigh	nigh	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
11	at	at	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	hand	hand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** *in a quote* | present | Bible |  |  | hand |  | nigh *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The knight rode nigh to the castle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x6:1
# text = The knight rode nigh to the castle.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	knight	knight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	rode	ride	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	castle	castle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ride** | past | the knight |  |  | the castle |  | nigh *property* | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent to castle=Trajectory |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Bedtime is nigh, so brush your teeth.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x7:1
# text = Bedtime is nigh, so brush your teeth.
1	Bedtime	bedtime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	nigh	nigh	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
5	so	so	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
6	brush	brush	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	conj	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	teeth	tooth	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Bedtime |  |  |  |  | nigh *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **brush** | infinitive | Bedtime *not said here* | your teeth |  |  |  |  | vn spray-9.7-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent tooth=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grandad says it's nigh on ten miles to the coast.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x8:1
# text = Grandad says it's nigh on ten miles to the coast.
1	Grandad	Grandad	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	says	say	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
5	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	ten	ten	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	miles	mile	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	ccomp	_	_
9	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	coast	coast	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | Grandad |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | present | it |  |  |  |  | on ten miles; to the coast; nigh *property* | tree rules |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
After running seven miles or so, Pinocchio was well-nigh exhausted.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:nigh:x9:1
# text = After running seven miles or so, Pinocchio was well-nigh exhausted.
1	After	after	SCONJ	IN	_	2	mark	_	_
2	running	run	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	13	advcl	_	_
3	seven	seven	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	miles	mile	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	so	so	ADV	RB	_	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
8	Pinocchio	Pinocchio	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	13	nsubj:pass	_	_
9	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	aux:pass	_	_
10	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	13	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	nigh	nigh	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
13	exhausted	exhaust	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	13	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **run** | gerund |  | seven miles |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme mile=Trajectory |
| 2 | **exhaust** | past · passive |  | Pinocchio |  |  |  | nigh, well *property* | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP»: subject=Experiencer |

<!-- 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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