---
title: reference — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «reference» in the school dictionary: Talking about or mentioning something. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# reference

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** book, note, you, letter, She, dictionary · **What happens:** talk about, mention, look up, say, find, know · **To what, where:** something, facts, piece, you, reference, reference book · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Talking about or mentioning something.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:m1:1
# text = Talking about or mentioning something.
1	Talking	talk	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
2	about	about	ADP	IN	_	1	obl	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	mentioning	mention	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	conj	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **talk about** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **mention** *speech: other* | gerund |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent something=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.

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"She made a reference to the trip."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:m1e:1
# text = "She made a reference to the trip."
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	made	make	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	reference	reference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	trip	trip	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** *in a quote* | past | She | a reference |  |  |  | to the trip | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent reference=Product |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A book or website where you look up facts, like a dictionary or encyclopedia.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:m2:1
# text = A book or website where you look up facts, like a dictionary or encyclopedia.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	website	website	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	7	advmod	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	look	look	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	up	up	ADP	RP	_	7	compound:prt	_	_
9	facts	fact	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	like	like	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	dictionary	dictionary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	appos	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	encyclopedia	encyclopedia	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **look up** | present | a book or website | facts |  |  |  |  | vn seem-109-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme fact=Attribute |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A note that says where you found a piece of information.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:m3:1
# text = A note that says where you found a piece of information.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	note	note	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
4	says	say	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl:relcl	_	_
5	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	7	advmod	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	found	find	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	ccomp	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	piece	piece	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	information	information	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | a note |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **find** | past | you | a piece of information |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent piece=Topic |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A letter from someone who knows you, saying you are good for a job or school.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:m4:1
# text = A letter from someone who knows you, saying you are good for a job or school.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	letter	letter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	from	from	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	nmod	_	_
5	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	knows	know	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	saying	say	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	acl	_	_
10	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
11	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
12	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	ccomp	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	job	job	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **know** | present |  | you |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer you=Stimulus |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | gerund | a letter from someone *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is** | present | you |  |  |  |  | for a job or school; good *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A dictionary is a reference book.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:x1:1
# text = A dictionary is a reference book.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	dictionary	dictionary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	reference	reference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a dictionary | a reference book |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Write down your references at the end of the project.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:x2:1
# text = Write down your references at the end of the project.
1	Write	write	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	down	down	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	references	reference	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	project	project	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write down** | imperative | you *not said here* | your references |  |  | at the end of the project |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent reference=Theme |
| 2 | **refer** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom reference «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Keep the times table on the wall for reference.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:x3:1
# text = Keep the times table on the wall for reference.
1	Keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	times	time	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	compound	_	_
4	table	table	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	wall	wall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	reference	reference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | imperative | you *not said here* | the times table |  | the wall |  | for reference | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent table=Theme on wall=Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The film makes a reference to an old fairy tale.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:x4:1
# text = The film makes a reference to an old fairy tale.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	film	film	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	reference	reference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
7	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
8	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
9	fairy	fairy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	tale	tale	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present | the film | a reference |  |  |  | to a old fairy tale | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset reference=Product |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher wrote a reference for my sister.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:x5:1
# text = The teacher wrote a reference for my sister.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	wrote	write	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	reference	reference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	sister	sister	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | past | the teacher | a reference |  |  |  | for my sister | vn create-26.4-1 «NP V NP PP.beneficiary»: agent=Agent reference=Result for sister=Beneficiary |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The library has a big reference section.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:x6:1
# text = The library has a big reference section.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	library	library	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	reference	reference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	section	section	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 | **have** | present | the library | a big reference section |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent section=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Use the tree as a reference point on the map.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:reference:x7:1
# text = Use the tree as a reference point on the map.
1	Use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	tree	tree	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	as	as	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	reference	reference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	point	point	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
8	on	on	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	map	map	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | imperative | you *not said here* | the tree |  |  |  | as a reference point on the map | vn spend\_time-104 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Agent tree=Duration as point=Attribute |

<!-- 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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