---
title: prefatory — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «prefatory» in the school dictionary: Prefatory means coming at the beginning as an introduction, like a preface to a book or a short speech before the main one. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# prefatory

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Prefatory, formal author, prefatory note, head teacher, prefatory chapter, you · **What happens:** mean, come, write, explain, announce, be · **To what, where:** beginning, prefatory note, book, winners, prefatory instructions, parents · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prefatory means coming at the beginning as an introduction, like a preface to a book or a short speech before the main one.

<!-- fold The tree, 23 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:m1:1
# text = Prefatory means coming at the beginning as an introduction, like a preface to a book or a short speech before the main one.
1	Prefatory	Prefatory	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	coming	come	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	xcomp	_	_
4	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	beginning	beginning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	as	as	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	introduction	introduction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	like	like	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	preface	preface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
14	to	to	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	_
17	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
18	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
19	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	amod	_	_
20	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	_
21	before	before	ADP	IN	_	24	case	_	_
22	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	24	det	_	_
23	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	24	amod	_	_
24	one	one	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Prefatory |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **come** *not said to happen* | gerund | Prefatory *not said here* |  |  |  | at the beginning; before the main one | as a introduction; like a preface to a book or a short speech | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme at beginning=Location |

<!-- .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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) The author wrote a prefatory note explaining the book.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x1:1
# text = (formal) The author wrote a prefatory note explaining the book.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	author	author	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	wrote	write	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	prefatory	prefatory	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	note	note	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
10	explaining	explain	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	acl	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | past | the formal author | a prefatory note |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent note=Theme |
| 2 | **explain** *speech: assert* | gerund | a prefatory note *not said here* | the book |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent book=Topic |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) After some prefatory remarks, the head teacher announced the winners.

<!-- fold The tree, 11 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x2:1
# text = (formal) After some prefatory remarks, the head teacher announced the winners.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	After	after	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	some	some	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	7	det	_	_
6	prefatory	prefatory	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	remarks	remark	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	head	head	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj	_	_
12	announced	announce	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	winners	winner	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **announce** *speech: other* | past | the head teacher | the winners |  |  |  |  | vn reflexive\_appearance-48.1.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent winner=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The prefatory chapter is short.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x3:1
# text = The prefatory chapter is short.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	prefatory	prefatory	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	chapter	chapter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the prefatory chapter |  |  |  |  | short *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) Read the prefatory instructions before answering.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x4:1
# text = (formal) Read the prefatory instructions before answering.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	Read	read	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	prefatory	prefatory	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
8	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
9	answering	answer	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **read** | imperative | you *not said here* | the prefatory instructions |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent instruction=Topic |
| 2 | **answer** *speech: assert* | gerund | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn reciprocate-112-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Her prefatory words thanked the parents.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x5:1
# text = Her prefatory words thanked the parents.
1	Her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	prefatory	prefatory	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	thanked	thank	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	parents	parent	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **thank** *speech: thank* | past | Her prefatory words |  | the parents |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent parent=Theme |
| 2 | **word** |  | Her *= she* |  |  |  |  |  | nom word «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The report begins with a prefatory summary.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x6:1
# text = The report begins with a prefatory summary.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	report	report	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	begins	begin	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	prefatory	prefatory	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	summary	summary	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 | **begin** | present | the report |  |  |  |  | with a prefatory summary | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V PP.subeventuality»: agent=Eventuality with summary=Subeventuality |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(everyday) Before the main talk, he said a few opening words.

<!-- fold The tree, 11 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x7:1
# text = (everyday) Before the main talk, he said a few opening words.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	everyday	everyday	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	fixed	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	Before	before	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	talk	talk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
9	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
12	few	few	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
13	opening	opening	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | he | a few opening words |  |  | before the main talk |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent word=Topic |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) The prefatory pages are numbered i, ii, iii.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prefatory:x8:1
# text = (formal) The prefatory pages are numbered i, ii, iii.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	prefatory	prefatory	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	pages	page	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj:pass	_	_
7	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux:pass	_	_
8	numbered	number	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
9	i	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	ii	II	NUM	CD	NumForm=Roman|NumType=Card	8	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
13	iii	III	NUM	CD	NumForm=Roman|NumType=Card	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **number** | present · passive |  | the formal prefatory pages |  |  |  |  | vn classify-29.10 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

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**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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