---
title: proposition — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «proposition» in the school dictionary: An idea, plan or offer that is suggested, especially in business: a business proposition. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# proposition

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** statement, 7, hill, squares, 10, pirate · **What happens:** suggest, be, deal, describe, make, have · **To what, where:** idea, true proposition, task, certain way, tough proposition, improper suggestion · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An idea, plan or offer that is suggested, especially in business: a business proposition.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:m1:1
# text = An idea, plan or offer that is suggested, especially in business: a business proposition.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj:pass	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
4	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	offer	offer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	suggested	suggest	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
12	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	business	business	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	17	punct	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
16	business	business	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	compound	_	_
17	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **suggest** *speech: suggest* | present · passive |  | a idea |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: subject=Topic |

<!-- .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: maths, logic — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A statement that is either true or false: «7 is odd» is a true proposition.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:m2:1
# text = A statement that is either true or false: «7 is odd» is a true proposition.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	statement	statement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	nsubj	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	either	either	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc:preconj	_	_
6	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	acl:relcl	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	false	false	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
10	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	13	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	7	7	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	13	nsubj	_	_
12	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
13	odd	odd	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	13	punct	_	_
15	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	18	cop	_	_
16	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
17	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	18	amod	_	_
18	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	18	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | a statement |  |  |  |  | true *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **be** |  | a statement *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **is** *in a quote* | present | 7 |  |  |  |  | odd *property* | tree rules |
| 4 | **is a** | present | a statement | a true proposition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A task or thing to deal with, described in a certain way: «That hill is a tough proposition».

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:m3:1
# text = A task or thing to deal with, described in a certain way: «That hill is a tough proposition».
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	task	task	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	deal	deal	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	acl	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	described	describe	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
10	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	certain	certain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	21	punct	_	_
15	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	21	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	That	that	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	17	det	_	_
17	hill	hill	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	21	nsubj	_	_
18	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	21	cop	_	_
19	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
20	tough	tough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	21	amod	_	_
21	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	21	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **deal** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn cope-83 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **describe** | participle |  | a task or thing *not said here* |  | a certain way |  |  | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is a** *in a quote* | present | that hill | a tough proposition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To make an improper suggestion to someone (adult use).

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:m4:1
# text = To make an improper suggestion to someone (adult use).
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	improper	improper	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	suggestion	suggestion	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	nmod	_	_
8	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	adult	adult	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	use	use	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | a improper suggestion |  |  |  | to someone | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset suggestion=Product |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«All squares have four sides» is a true proposition.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x1:1
# text = «All squares have four sides» is a true proposition.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	All	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	3	det	_	_
3	squares	square	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	parataxis	_	_
5	four	four	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	sides	side	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** *in a quote* | present | all squares | four sides |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent side=Patient |
| 2 | **is a** | present |  | a true proposition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Is the proposition «10 is odd» true or false?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x2:1
# text = Is the proposition «10 is odd» true or false?
1	Is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	10	10	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nsubj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	odd	odd	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	7	punct	_	_
9	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	conj	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	false	false	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | the proposition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** *in a quote* | present | 10 | the proposition *not said here* |  |  |  | odd *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **be** |  | 10 *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **be** |  | 10 *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The pirate had a proposition for the sailors.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x3:1
# text = The pirate had a proposition for the sailors.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	pirate	pirate	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	sailors	sailor	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | the pirate | a proposition |  |  |  | for the sailors | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent proposition=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Climbing the mountain in winter is a tough proposition.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x4:1
# text = Climbing the mountain in winter is a tough proposition.
1	Climbing	climb	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	csubj	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	mountain	mountain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	winter	winter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	tough	tough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **climb** | gerund |  | the mountain |  |  | winter |  | vn run-51.3.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Initial\_Location mountain=Theme |
| 2 | **is a** | present | Climbing | a tough proposition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Selling lemonade was a good business proposition.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x5:1
# text = Selling lemonade was a good business proposition.
1	Selling	sell	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	csubj	_	_
2	lemonade	lemonade	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	business	business	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	proposition	proposition	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 | **sell** | gerund |  | lemonade |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent lemonade=Theme |
| 2 | **is a** | past | Selling | a good business proposition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The idea of a free trip was an attractive proposition.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x6:1
# text = The idea of a free trip was an attractive proposition.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	free	free	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	trip	trip	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
8	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	attractive	attractive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the idea of a free trip | a attractive proposition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prove the proposition step by step.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x7:1
# text = Prove the proposition step by step.
1	Prove	prove	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	step	step	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	by	by	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	step	step	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prove** | imperative | you *not said here* | the proposition step |  |  |  | by step | vn deduce-97.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent step=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The proposition pleased the two others, and they set out on their way together.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:proposition:x8:1
# text = The proposition pleased the two others, and they set out on their way together.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	proposition	proposition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
3	pleased	pleased	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	others	other	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
9	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	set	set	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	out	out	ADP	RP	_	10	compound:prt	_	_
12	on	on	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
13	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	14	nmod:poss	_	_
14	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	_
15	together	together	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **set out** | past | the proposition |  |  | others's way |  | together *property* | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=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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