---
title: program — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «program» in the school dictionary: A program is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# program

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** program, that, We, you, favourite TV program, My · **What happens:** be, tell, do, mean, write, plan · **To what, where:** set, computer, instructions, show, American English, activities · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«program» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [program in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/program.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A program is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:m1:1
# text = A program is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	set	set	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	_
8	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj	_	_
9	tells	tell	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	iobj	_	_
12	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	14	obj	_	_
13	to	to	PART	TO	_	14	mark	_	_
14	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a program | a set |  |  |  | of instructions | tree rules |
| 2 | **tell** *speech: assert* | present | that |  | a computer |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent computer=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 3 | **do** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent what=Eventuality |

<!-- .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 -->
To program means to write these instructions.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:m2:1
# text = To program means to write these instructions.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	write	write	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	these	this	DET	DT	Number=Plur|PronType=Dem	7	det	_	_
7	instructions	instruction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | program |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **write** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | program *not said here* | this instructions |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent instruction=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In American English, a program is also a show on TV or radio, a plan of activities, or a booklet at a show (British: programme).

<!-- fold The tree, 25 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:m3:1
# text = In American English, a program is also a show on TV or radio, a plan of activities, or a booklet at a show (British: programme).
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	American	American	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	English	English	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
8	also	also	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	show	show	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
11	on	on	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	TV	TV	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	radio	radio	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
16	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	_
18	of	of	ADP	IN	_	19	case	_	_
19	activities	activity	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	17	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	23	punct	_	_
21	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	23	cc	_	_
22	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
23	booklet	booklet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	_
24	at	at	ADP	IN	_	26	case	_	_
25	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	26	det	_	_
26	show	show	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	23	nmod	_	_
27	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	28	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
28	British	British	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	26	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
29	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	30	punct	_	_
30	programme	programme	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
31	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	30	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
32	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a program | a show and a plan of activities or a booklet at a show |  | American English |  | on TV or radio | tree rules |
| 2 | **plan** |  |  | activities |  |  |  |  | nom plan «cognition transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We wrote a program to make the robot move.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:x1:1
# text = We wrote a program to make the robot move.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wrote	write	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	robot	robot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	move	move	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | past | We | a program |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent program=Theme |
| 2 | **make** | to-infinitive | We *not said here* | the robot move |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset move=Product |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Can you program the oven to start at six?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:x2:1
# text = Can you program the oven to start at six?
1	Can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	oven	oven	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	appos	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	start	start	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	acl	_	_
8	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	six	six	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **start** | to-infinitive |  |  |  | six |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
This program helps you learn spelling.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:x3:1
# text = This program helps you learn spelling.
1	This	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	2	det	_	_
2	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	obj	_	_
5	learn	learn	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	spelling	spelling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | present | this program | you |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent you=Beneficiary clause=Theme |
| 2 | **learn** | infinitive | you *not said here* | spelling |  |  |  |  | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent spelling=Topic |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My favourite TV program is on tonight.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:x4:1
# text = My favourite TV program is on tonight.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
2	favourite	favourite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
3	TV	TV	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	tonight	tonight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | My favourite TV program |  |  |  |  | on tonight | tree rules |
| 2 | **program** |  | My |  |  |  |  |  | nom program «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She joined an after-school art program.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:x5:1
# text = She joined an after-school art program.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	joined	join	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	obj	_	_
4	after	after	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
7	art	art	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **join** | past | She | an |  |  | after school art program |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent a=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The program crashed, so I restarted the computer.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:x6:1
# text = The program crashed, so I restarted the computer.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	program	program	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	crashed	crash	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
5	so	so	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
6	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	restarted	restart	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **crash** | past | the program |  |  |  |  |  | vn break-45.1 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **restart** | past | I | the computer |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He loves programming games.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:program:x7:1
# text = He loves programming games.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	loves	love	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	programming	program	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	xcomp	_	_
4	games	game	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **love** | present | He |  |  |  |  |  | vn admire-31.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer clause=Stimulus |
| 2 | **program** *not said to happen* | gerund | He *not said here* | games |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- 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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