---
title: propose — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «propose» in the school dictionary: To suggest a plan or idea for others to think about. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# propose

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** others, someone, I, we, you, He · **What happens:** suggest, think about, ask, marry, intend, plan · **To what, where:** plan, someone, you, something, picnic, it

<!-- .vabout -->
«propose» in the school dictionary: its 4 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: [propose in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/propose.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To suggest a plan or idea for others to think about.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:m1:1
# text = To suggest a plan or idea for others to think about.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	suggest	suggest	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
8	others	other	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	nsubj	_	_
9	to	to	PART	TO	_	10	mark	_	_
10	think	think	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	acl	_	_
11	about	about	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **suggest** *speech: suggest* | to-infinitive |  | a plan or idea |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent plan=Topic |
| 2 | **think about** *speech: other* | to-infinitive | others | a plan or idea *not said here* |  |  |  | about *property* | vn focus-87.1-1 «NP V»: 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.

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I propose we have a picnic.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:m1e:1
# text = I propose we have a picnic.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	propose	propose	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	ccomp	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	picnic	picnic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | present | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **have** | present | we | a picnic |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent picnic=Patient |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To ask someone to marry you.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:m2:1
# text = To ask someone to marry you.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	ask	ask	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	marry	marry	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ask** *speech: ask* | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP whether S\_INF»: agent=Agent someone=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 2 | **marry** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | someone *not said here* | you |  |  |  |  | vn amalgamate-22.2-3-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent you=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To intend or plan to do something.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:m3:1
# text = To intend or plan to do something.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	intend	intend	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	plan	plan	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **intend** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **plan** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **do** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
What do you propose to do?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:m3e:1
# text = What do you propose to do?
1	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	4	obj	_	_
2	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	propose	propose	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | present · do-support | you |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **do** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To suggest someone for a job or vote.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:m4:1
# text = To suggest someone for a job or vote.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	suggest	suggest	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	job	job	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	vote	vote	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **suggest** *speech: suggest* | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  | for a job | vn say-37.7-1-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent someone=Topic |
| 2 | **vote** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn dub-29.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I propose that we vote on it.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:x1:1
# text = I propose that we vote on it.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	propose	propose	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
4	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
5	vote	vote	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	ccomp	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | present | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **vote** | present | we |  |  | it |  |  | vn dub-29.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He proposed to her on the beach.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:x2:1
# text = He proposed to her on the beach.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	proposed	propose	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	her	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	obl	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	beach	beach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | past | He |  | her *= she* | the beach |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V PP.recipient S-Quote»: agent=Agent to she=Recipient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Propose a way to test which paper towel soaks up the most water.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:x3:1
# text = Propose a way to test which paper towel soaks up the most water.
1	Propose	propose	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	test	test	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
6	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	obj	_	_
7	paper	paper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
9	soaks	soak	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	_
10	up	up	ADP	RP	_	9	compound:prt	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	most	most	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	13	amod	_	_
13	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | imperative | you *not said here* | a way |  |  |  |  | vn reflexive\_appearance-48.1.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent way=Theme |
| 2 | **test** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **soak up** | present | paper towel | the most water |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The council proposed a new cycle path.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:x4:1
# text = The council proposed a new cycle path.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	council	council	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	proposed	propose	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	cycle	cycle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	path	path	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | past | the council | a new cycle path |  |  |  |  | vn reflexive\_appearance-48.1.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent path=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
What do you propose to do about the leak?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:x5:1
# text = What do you propose to do about the leak?
1	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	4	obj	_	_
2	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	propose	propose	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	about	about	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	leak	leak	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | present · do-support | you |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **do** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | about the leak | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She was proposed as class captain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:propose:x6:1
# text = She was proposed as class captain.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	proposed	propose	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	as	as	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	captain	captain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **propose** | past · passive |  | She |  |  |  | as class captain | vn reflexive\_appearance-48.1.2 «NP V NP»: subject=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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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