---
title: presuppose — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «presuppose» in the school dictionary: To take something for granted as true before you start: «The plan presupposes that everyone will help.». Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# presuppose

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** you, plan, everyone, Reading, question, somebody · **What happens:** take, grant, start, presuppose, help, need · **To what, where:** something, letters, vase, times tables, trust, answer · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To take something for granted as true before you start: «The plan presupposes that everyone will help.».

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:m1:1
# text = To take something for granted as true before you start: «The plan presupposes that everyone will help.».
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	granted	grant	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	advcl	_	_
6	as	as	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	obl	_	_
8	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	start	start	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	15	punct	_	_
12	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	nsubj	_	_
15	presupposes	presuppose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	conj	_	_
16	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	19	mark	_	_
17	everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	19	nsubj	_	_
18	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	19	aux	_	_
19	help	help	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	15	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Theme |
| 2 | **grant** | participle | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | as true | vn future\_having-13.3 «NP V NP.theme (PP)»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **start** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |
| 4 | **presuppose** *in a quote* | present | the plan |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **help** *in a quote* | future | everyone |  |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To need something to be true or to exist first: «Reading presupposes knowing the letters.».

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:m2:1
# text = To need something to be true or to exist first: «Reading presupposes knowing the letters.».
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	need	need	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	cop	_	_
6	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	acl	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	exist	exist	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	first	first	ADV	RB	NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	9	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	14	punct	_	_
12	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	Reading	reading	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nsubj	_	_
14	presupposes	presuppose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	parataxis	_	_
15	knowing	know	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	14	advcl	_	_
16	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **need** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot something=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | to-infinitive |  | something *not said here* |  |  |  | true *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **exist** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | first *property* | tree rules |
| 4 | **presuppose** *in a quote* | present | Reading |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **know** *in a quote* | gerund | Reading *not said here* | the letters |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer letter=Stimulus |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The question «Who broke the vase?» presupposes that somebody broke it.

<!-- fold The tree, 11 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:x1:1
# text = The question «Who broke the vase?» presupposes that somebody broke it.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
3	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	Who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	5	nsubj	_	_
5	broke	break	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	vase	vase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
10	presupposes	presuppose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
12	somebody	somebody	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	13	nsubj	_	_
13	broke	break	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	10	ccomp	_	_
14	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **break** *in a quote* | past | the question | the vase |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer vase=Patient |
| 2 | **presuppose** | present | the question |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **break** | past | somebody | vase |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer it=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Long division presupposes that you know your times tables.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:x2:1
# text = Long division presupposes that you know your times tables.
1	Long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	division	division	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	presupposes	presuppose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	know	know	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
8	times	time	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	compound	_	_
9	tables	table	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **presuppose** | present | Long division |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **know** | present | you | your times tables |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer table=Stimulus |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
His plan presupposes that the bus will be on time.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:x3:1
# text = His plan presupposes that the bus will be on time.
1	His	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	presupposes	presuppose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	bus	bus	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
7	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	10	aux	_	_
8	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	cop	_	_
9	on	on	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **presuppose** | present | His plan |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | future | the bus |  |  |  | on time |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **plan** |  | His *= he* |  |  |  |  |  | nom plan «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The story presupposes that dragons can talk.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:x4:1
# text = The story presupposes that dragons can talk.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	presupposes	presuppose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
5	dragons	dragon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
6	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	talk	talk	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **presuppose** | present | the story |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **talk** | can | dragons |  |  |  |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Good teamwork presupposes trust.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:x5:1
# text = Good teamwork presupposes trust.
1	Good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	teamwork	teamwork	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	presupposes	presuppose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	trust	trust	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **presuppose** | present | Good teamwork | trust |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't presuppose the answer before you check the facts.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:presuppose:x6:1
# text = Don't presuppose the answer before you check the facts.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	presuppose	presuppose	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	check	check	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	facts	fact	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **presuppose** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | the answer |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **check** | present | you | the facts |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fact=Theme |

<!-- 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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