---
title: robocall — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «robocall» in the school dictionary: A robocall is an automatic phone call made by a computer, which plays a recorded message to many people at once, often to sell something, give information or trick people. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/robocall/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [R](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/) / robocall

# robocall

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** robocall, automatic phone call, We, school, you, Robocalls · **What happens:** be, make, play, record, sell, give · **To what, where:** automatic phone call, recorded message, something, information, people, robocall · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«robocall» in the school dictionary: its 2 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: [robocall in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/robocall.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A robocall is an automatic phone call made by a computer, which plays a recorded message to many people at once, often to sell something, give information or trick people.

<!-- fold The tree, 30 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:m1:1
# text = A robocall is an automatic phone call made by a computer, which plays a recorded message to many people at once, often to sell something, give information or trick people.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	robocall	robocall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	automatic	automatic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	call	call	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	acl	_	_
9	by	by	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl:agent	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
13	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	14	nsubj	_	_
14	plays	play	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	parataxis	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
16	recorded	record	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	17	amod	_	_
17	message	message	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	_
18	to	to	ADP	IN	_	20	case	_	_
19	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	amod	_	_
20	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	obl	_	_
21	at	at	ADP	IN	_	22	case	_	_
22	once	once	ADV	RB	NumForm=Word|NumType=Mult	14	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	26	punct	_	_
24	often	often	ADV	RB	_	26	advmod	_	_
25	to	to	PART	TO	_	26	mark	_	_
26	sell	sell	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	14	parataxis	_	_
27	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	26	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
28	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	29	punct	_	_
29	give	give	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	26	conj	_	_
30	information	information	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	29	obj	_	_
31	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	32	cc	_	_
32	trick	trick	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	29	conj	_	_
33	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	32	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
34	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a robocall | a automatic phone call |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | participle |  | a automatic phone call *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset |
| 3 | **play** | present | a automatic phone call | a recorded message |  |  |  | to many people | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent message=Theme |
| 4 | **record** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **sell** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  | often *property* | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Theme |
| 6 | **give** | infinitive |  | information |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent information=Theme |
| 7 | **trick** | infinitive |  | people |  |  |  |  | vn trick-59.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent people=Patient |

<!-- .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 robocall is to make such calls.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:m2:1
# text = To robocall is to make such calls.
1	To	to	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	robocall	robocall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	calls	call	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | to robocall; make *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We got another robocall about a car warranty.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:x1:1
# text = We got another robocall about a car warranty.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	another	another	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	4	det	_	_
4	robocall	robocall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	about	about	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	warranty	warranty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | past | We | another robocall |  |  |  | about a car warranty | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer robocall=Stimulus |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The school sent a robocall saying it was closed for snow.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:x2:1
# text = The school sent a robocall saying it was closed for snow.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	sent	send	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	robocall	robocall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	saying	say	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	closed	close	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	ccomp	_	_
10	for	for	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	snow	snow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **send** | past | the school | a robocall |  |  |  |  | vn confine-92-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent robocall=Theme |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | gerund | a robocall *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **close** | past · passive |  | school |  |  |  | for snow | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If a robocall asks for money, hang up.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:x3:1
# text = If a robocall asks for money, hang up.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	4	mark	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	robocall	robocall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	asks	ask	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	advcl	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
8	hang	hang	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	up	up	ADP	RP	_	8	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ask** *speech: ask* *a condition, not said to happen* | present | a robocall |  |  |  |  | for money | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **hang up** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Never press a number on a scam robocall.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:x4:1
# text = Never press a number on a scam robocall.
1	Never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	2	advmod	_	_
2	press	press	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	scam	scam	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	robocall	robocall	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 | **not** **press** | imperative | you *not said here* | a number |  | a scam robocall |  |  | vn push-12-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Robocalls use a recorded voice, not a real person.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:x5:1
# text = Robocalls use a recorded voice, not a real person.
1	Robocalls	robocall	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	recorded	record	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	amod	_	_
5	voice	voice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	10	advmod	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	real	real	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | Robocalls | a recorded voice and a real person |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent voice=Patient |
| 2 | **record** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Politicians sometimes use robocalls before elections.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:x6:1
# text = Politicians sometimes use robocalls before elections.
1	Politicians	politician	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	sometimes	sometimes	ADV	RB	PronType=Ind	3	advmod	_	_
3	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	robocalls	robocall	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
5	before	before	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	elections	election	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | Politicians | robocalls |  |  | before elections | sometimes *property* | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent robocall=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grandma gets so many robocalls she stopped answering.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:robocall:x7:1
# text = Grandma gets so many robocalls she stopped answering.
1	Grandma	grandma	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gets	get	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	so	so	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	robocalls	robocall	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
6	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	stopped	stop	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	parataxis	_	_
8	answering	answer	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | present | Grandma | many robocalls |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer robocall=Stimulus |
| 2 | **stop** | past | Grandma |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Affector clause=Eventuality |
| 3 | **answer** *speech: assert* | gerund | Grandma *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn reciprocate-112-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- 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 -->
- ← previous: [robin](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/robin/)
- next →: [robot](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/robot/)
- ↑ back to [R in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/)