---
title: perhaps — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «perhaps» in the school dictionary: Perhaps means maybe; it is possible but not certain. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# perhaps

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** it, cat, you, answer, me, She · **What happens:** mean, be, not be, use, make, hide · **To what, where:** request, bed, window, 12, me, fastest runner · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perhaps means maybe; it is possible but not certain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:m1:1
# text = Perhaps means maybe; it is possible but not certain.
1	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	maybe	maybe	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
5	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	possible	possible	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	parataxis	_	_
8	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
9	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	10	advmod	_	_
10	certain	certain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  | maybe, perhaps *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | present | it |  |  |  |  | possible *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **not** **be** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 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 -->
Used to make a request or idea sound polite.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:m2:1
# text = Used to make a request or idea sound polite.
1	Used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
2	to	to	PART	TO	_	3	mark	_	_
3	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	request	request	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	sound	sound	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
9	polite	polite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | a request or idea sound |  |  |  | polite *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset request=Product |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perhaps it will snow tomorrow.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x1:1
# text = Perhaps it will snow tomorrow.
1	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
2	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
3	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	snow	snow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	tomorrow	tomorrow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perhaps the cat is hiding under the bed.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x2:1
# text = Perhaps the cat is hiding under the bed.
1	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	cat	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	hiding	hide	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
6	under	under	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	bed	bed	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hide** | present · progressive | the cat |  |  | the bed |  | perhaps *property* | vn concealment-16-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent under bed=Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perhaps you could close the window, please.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x3:1
# text = Perhaps you could close the window, please.
1	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
3	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	close	close	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	window	window	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
8	please	please	INTJ	UH	_	4	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **close** | could | you | the window |  |  |  | perhaps *property* | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent window=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Will you come?" "Perhaps."

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* "Will you come?" "

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x4:1
# text = "Will you come?" "
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	come	come	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
7	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **come** *in a quote* | future | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* Perhaps."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x4:2
# text = Perhaps."
1	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perhaps the answer is 12, but let me check.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x5:1
# text = Perhaps the answer is 12, but let me check.
1	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	let	let	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	conj	_	_
9	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	_
10	check	check	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the answer | 12 |  |  |  | perhaps *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **let** | infinitive | the answer *not said here* | me |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **check** | infinitive | me *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She was perhaps the fastest runner in the school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x6:1
# text = She was perhaps the fastest runner in the school.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	fastest	fast	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	6	amod	_	_
6	runner	runner	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | She | the fastest runner |  | the school |  | perhaps *property* | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perhaps we should take an umbrella.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x7:1
# text = Perhaps we should take an umbrella.
1	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
2	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
3	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	umbrella	umbrella	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | should | we | a umbrella |  |  |  | perhaps *property* | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent umbrella=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
“Perhaps he is ill,” Michael said.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perhaps:x8:1
# text = “Perhaps he is ill,” Michael said.
1	“	"	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Perhaps	perhaps	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
3	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	ill	ill	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	”	"	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
8	Michael	Michael	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
9	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** *in a quote* | present | he |  |  |  |  | ill, perhaps *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | Michael |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |

<!-- 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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