---
title: phonics — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «phonics» in the school dictionary: Phonics is a way of learning to read by matching letters and groups of letters to the sounds they make. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# phonics

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Phonics, way, lessons, We, ai, little brother · **What happens:** be, learn, read, match, make, mean · **To what, where:** way, sounds, lessons, this, phonics, same sound · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Phonics is a way of learning to read by matching letters and groups of letters to the sounds they make.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:m1:1
# text = Phonics is a way of learning to read by matching letters and groups of letters to the sounds they make.
1	Phonics	phonic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	learning	learn	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	acl	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	read	read	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
9	by	by	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	matching	match	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	11	amod	_	_
11	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	groups	group	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	conj	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	nmod	_	_
16	to	to	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
17	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
18	sounds	sound	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	_
19	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	20	nsubj	_	_
20	make	make	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	18	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Phonics | a way |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **learn** | gerund | a way *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **read** | to-infinitive | a way *not said here* |  | the sounds |  |  | by matching letters and groups of letters | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V PP.recipient how S»: agent=Agent to sound=Recipient |
| 4 | **match** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn amalgamate-22.2-1 «NP V ADVP-Middle»: agent=Patient |
| 5 | **make** | present | Phonics *= phonic* | the sounds *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset sound=Product |

<!-- .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 -->
Phonics also means the lessons and books that teach this.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:m2:1
# text = Phonics also means the lessons and books that teach this.
1	Phonics	phonic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	also	also	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	lessons	lesson	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	books	book	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	conj	_	_
8	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj	_	_
9	teach	teach	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
10	this	this	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Phonics | the lessons and books |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent lesson=Topic |
| 2 | **teach** *speech: other* | present | the lessons and books | this |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent this=Recipient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We have phonics every morning before break.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:x1:1
# text = We have phonics every morning before break.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	phonics	phonic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	every	every	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	5	det	_	_
5	morning	morning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl:unmarked	_	_
6	before	before	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	break	break	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | We | phonics |  |  | before break; morning |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent phonic=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In phonics we learned that «ai» and «ay» make the same sound.

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:x2:1
# text = In phonics we learned that «ai» and «ay» make the same sound.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	phonics	phonic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	_
3	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	learned	learn	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
6	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	ai	ai	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	7	punct	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
10	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	ay	ay	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	_
13	make	make	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	ccomp	_	_
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
15	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
16	sound	sound	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **learn** | past | we |  |  | phonics |  |  | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **make** | present | ai and ay | the same sound |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset sound=Product |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My little brother uses phonics to sound out new words.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:x3:1
# text = My little brother uses phonics to sound out new words.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	brother	brother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	uses	use	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	phonics	phonic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	sound	sound	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	advcl	_	_
8	out	out	ADP	RP	_	7	compound:prt	_	_
9	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | My little brother | phonics |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent phonic=Patient |
| 2 | **sound out** | to-infinitive | My little brother *not said here* | new words |  |  |  |  | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location word=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Phonics helps you read words you have never seen before.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:x4:1
# text = Phonics helps you read words you have never seen before.
1	Phonics	phonic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	2	obj	_	_
4	read	read	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
5	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
7	have	have	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
8	never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	9	advmod	_	_
9	seen	see	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	5	acl:relcl	_	_
10	before	before	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | present | Phonics | you |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent you=Beneficiary clause=Theme |
| 2 | **read** | infinitive | you *not said here* | words |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent word=Topic |
| 3 | **not** **see** | present · perfect | you | words *not said here* |  |  |  | before *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer word=Stimulus |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher held up phonics cards with letters on them.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:x5:1
# text = The teacher held up phonics cards with letters on them.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	held	hold	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	up	up	ADP	RP	_	3	compound:prt	_	_
5	phonics	phonic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	compound	_	_
6	cards	card	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	_
9	on	on	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hold up** | past | the teacher | phonics cards |  |  |  | with letters on letters | vn support-15.3-1 «NP V NP PP.instrument»: agent=Agent card=Theme with letter=Instrument |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Not every word follows phonics rules, like «said» and «the».

<!-- fold The tree, 10 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phonics:x6:1
# text = Not every word follows phonics rules, like «said» and «the».
1	Not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
2	every	every	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	3	det	_	_
3	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	follows	follow	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	phonics	phonics	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
8	like	like	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
9	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
13	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **follow** | present | every word | phonics rules |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* *in a quote* | past |  | the |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent the=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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