---
title: perjury — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «perjury» in the school dictionary: Perjury is the crime of telling a lie in court after promising to tell the truth. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# perjury

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Perjury, crime, It, Lying, witnesses, you · **What happens:** be, tell, promise, mean, break, lie · **To what, where:** crime, lie, court, truth, solemn promise, perjury · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«perjury» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 6 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: [perjury in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/perjury.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perjury is the crime of telling a lie in court after promising to tell the truth.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:m1:1
# text = Perjury is the crime of telling a lie in court after promising to tell the truth.
1	Perjury	perjury	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	crime	crime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	telling	tell	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	acl	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	lie	lie	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	court	court	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	_
11	after	after	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
12	promising	promise	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
13	to	to	PART	TO	_	14	mark	_	_
14	tell	tell	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	12	xcomp	_	_
15	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	truth	truth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Perjury | the crime |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **tell** *speech: assert* | gerund | the crime *not said here* | a lie |  | court |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent lie=Recipient |
| 3 | **promise** *speech: promise* | gerund | the crime *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn promise-37.13 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 4 | **tell** *speech: assert* *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | the crime *not said here* | the truth |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent truth=Recipient |

<!-- .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 -->
It can also mean breaking a solemn promise.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:m2:1
# text = It can also mean breaking a solemn promise.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	also	also	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	breaking	break	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	xcomp	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	solemn	solemn	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	promise	promise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | It |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **break** *not said to happen* | gerund |  | a solemn promise |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer promise=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lying in court is called perjury.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:x1:1
# text = Lying in court is called perjury.
1	Lying	lie	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	csubj:pass	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	court	court	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	perjury	perjury	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lie** | gerund |  |  |  | court |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in court=Location |
| 2 | **call** *speech: assert* | present · passive | Lying | perjury |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V» |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The witness was charged with perjury.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:x2:1
# text = The witness was charged with perjury.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	witness	witness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	charged	charge	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	perjury	perjury	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **charge** | past · passive |  | the witness |  |  |  | with perjury | vn equip-13.4.2 «NP V NP-Fulfilling PP»: subject=Recipient with perjury=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Perjury can be punished with prison.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:x3:1
# text = Perjury can be punished with prison.
1	Perjury	perjury	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	punished	punish	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	prison	prison	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **punish** | can · passive |  | Perjury |  |  |  | with prison | vn prosecute-33.2-1 «NP V NP PP.theme PP.attribute»: subject=Patient with prison=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Before speaking, witnesses swear to tell the truth.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:x4:1
# text = Before speaking, witnesses swear to tell the truth.
1	Before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	2	mark	_	_
2	speaking	speak	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	witnesses	witness	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
5	swear	swear	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	tell	tell	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	truth	truth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **speak** *speech: other* | gerund | witnesses *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **swear** | present | witnesses |  |  |  |  |  | vn conjecture-29.5 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 3 | **tell** *speech: assert* | to-infinitive | witnesses *not said here* | the truth |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent truth=Recipient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If you commit perjury, the trial may be unfair.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:x5:1
# text = If you commit perjury, the trial may be unfair.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	3	mark	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	commit	commit	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	advcl	_	_
4	perjury	perjury	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	trial	trial	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
8	may	may	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	10	aux	_	_
9	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	cop	_	_
10	unfair	unfair	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **commit** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you | perjury |  |  |  |  | vn confine-92-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent perjury=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | may | the trial |  |  |  |  | unfair *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The judge warned him about perjury.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:perjury:x6:1
# text = The judge warned him about perjury.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	judge	judge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	warned	warn	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	obj	_	_
5	about	about	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	perjury	perjury	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **warn** *speech: warn* | past | the judge |  | him *= he* |  |  | about perjury | vn advise-37.9-1 «NP V NP PP.topic»: agent=Agent he=Recipient about perjury=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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