---
title: phrase — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «phrase» in the school dictionary: A small group of words that go together but is not a whole sentence. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# phrase

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** words, funny phrase, your, phrase, you, She · **What happens:** go together, not be, say, write, be, break · **To what, where:** whole sentence, something, particular way, phrase, leg, funny phrase · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«phrase» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 7 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: [phrase in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/phrase.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A small group of words that go together but is not a whole sentence.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:m1:1
# text = A small group of words that go together but is not a whole sentence.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nmod	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	go	go	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	together	together	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
9	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	cop	_	_
11	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	14	advmod	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
13	whole	whole	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	sentence	sentence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go together** | present | words |  |  |  |  | together *property* | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **not** **is a** | present | words *not said here* | a whole sentence |  |  |  |  | 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 -->
A common saying or expression.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:m2:1
# text = A common saying or expression.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	common	common	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	saying	saying	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	expression	expression	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

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

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To say or write something in a particular way.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:m3:1
# text = To say or write something in a particular way.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	say	say	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	write	write	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	particular	particular	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **write** | infinitive |  | something |  | a particular way |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent something=Theme in way=Destination |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A short part of a tune.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:m4:1
# text = A short part of a tune.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	part	part	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	tune	tune	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"In the morning" is a phrase, not a sentence.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:x1:1
# text = "In the morning" is a phrase, not a sentence.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	In	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	morning	morning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
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	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
10	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	12	advmod	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	sentence	sentence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | a phrase and a sentence |  |  | morning |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Break a leg" is a funny phrase that means good luck.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:x2:1
# text = "Break a leg" is a funny phrase that means good luck.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Break	break	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	9	nsubj	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	leg	leg	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	funny	funny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
10	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	11	nsubj	_	_
11	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	acl:relcl	_	_
12	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	luck	luck	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **break** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | a leg |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer leg=Patient |
| 2 | **is a** | present |  | a funny phrase |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **mean** | present | a funny phrase | good luck |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent luck=Topic |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Can you phrase your question more clearly?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:x3:1
# text = Can you phrase your question more clearly?
1	Can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	7	advmod	_	_
7	clearly	clearly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **question** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom question «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The phrase "how many left" tells you to subtract.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:x4:1
# text = The phrase "how many left" tells you to subtract.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
3	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	5	advmod	_	_
5	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	left	left	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	6	punct	_	_
8	tells	tell	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	iobj	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	subtract	subtract	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tell** *speech: assert* | present | the phrase |  | you |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent you=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 2 | **subtract** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | the phrase *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn multiply-108-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Learn the phrases in the French phrase book.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:x5:1
# text = Learn the phrases in the French phrase book.
1	Learn	learn	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	phrases	phrase	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
6	French	French	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
7	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **learn** | imperative | you *not said here* | the phrases |  | the French phrase book |  |  | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent phrase=Topic |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She has a nice turn of phrase.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:x6:1
# text = She has a nice turn of phrase.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	nice	nice	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	turn	turn	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | She | a nice turn of phrase |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent turn=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Play the first phrase of the song again.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:phrase:x7:1
# text = Play the first phrase of the song again.
1	Play	play	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	first	first	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	4	amod	_	_
4	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	song	song	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	_
8	again	again	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | imperative | you *not said here* | the first phrase of the song |  |  | again |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent phrase=Theme |
| 2 | **phrase** |  |  | the song |  |  |  |  | nom phrase «communication transitive»: of=patient |

<!-- 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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