---
title: preferable — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «preferable» in the school dictionary: Preferable means better or more suitable, so you would rather have or choose it. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# preferable

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Preferable, you, small friendly school, Sleeping, It, Water · **What happens:** mean, have, choose, be, sleep, use · **To what, where:** it, big one, tent, rain, pencil, instructions

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Preferable means better or more suitable, so you would rather have or choose it.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:m1:1
# text = Preferable means better or more suitable, so you would rather have or choose it.
1	Preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	xcomp	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
5	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	6	advmod	_	_
6	suitable	suitable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
8	so	so	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
10	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	12	aux	_	_
11	rather	rather	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
12	have	have	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	parataxis	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	choose	choose	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	12	conj	_	_
15	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Preferable |  |  |  |  | good *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **have** | would | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **choose** | infinitive | you *not said here* | it |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Theme |

<!-- .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 -->
A small, friendly school is preferable to a big one for my little brother.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:x1:1
# text = A small, friendly school is preferable to a big one for my little brother.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
2	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	friendly	friendly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
8	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	one	one	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
12	for	for	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
13	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	15	nmod:poss	_	_
14	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	brother	brother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | a small friendly school |  | a big one for my little brother |  |  | preferable *property* | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sleeping in a tent is preferable to sleeping outside in the rain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:x2:1
# text = Sleeping in a tent is preferable to sleeping outside in the rain.
1	Sleeping	sleep	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	csubj	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	tent	tent	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
7	to	to	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
8	sleeping	sleep	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
9	outside	outside	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
10	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sleep** | gerund |  |  |  | a tent |  |  | vn fit-54.3 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent in tent=Location |
| 2 | **is** | present | Sleeping |  |  |  |  | preferable *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **sleep** | gerund | Sleeping *not said here* |  |  | the rain |  | outside *property* | vn fit-54.3 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent in rain=Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It is preferable to use a pencil for maths.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:x3:1
# text = It is preferable to use a pencil for maths.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	use	use	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	pencil	pencil	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	maths	math	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | It |  |  |  |  | preferable *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | to-infinitive |  | a pencil |  |  |  | for maths | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP PP.predicate»: agent=Agent pencil=Theme for math=Eventuality |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Water is preferable to fizzy drinks when you're thirsty.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:x4:1
# text = Water is preferable to fizzy drinks when you're thirsty.
1	Water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	fizzy	fizzy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	drinks	drink	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	_
7	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	10	mark	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	're	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	thirsty	thirsty	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Water |  |  |  |  | to fizzy drinks; preferable *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present | you |  |  |  |  | thirsty *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Short sentences are often preferable in instructions.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:x5:1
# text = Short sentences are often preferable in instructions.
1	Short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	sentences	sentence	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	often	often	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Short sentences |  |  | instructions |  | often, preferable *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Any answer is preferable to a blank space in a test.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:x6:1
# text = Any answer is preferable to a blank space in a test.
1	Any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	blank	blank	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	space	space	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	test	test	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | any answer |  |  |  |  | to a blank space in a test; preferable *property* | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A Carpenter, with equal enthusiasm, proposed timber as a preferable method of defense.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preferable:x7:1
# text = A Carpenter, with equal enthusiasm, proposed timber as a preferable method of defense.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Carpenter	carpenter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	equal	equal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	enthusiasm	enthusiasm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	proposed	propose	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	amod	_	_
9	timber	timber	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
10	as	as	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	preferable	preferable	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	method	method	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	defense	defense	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | 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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