---
title: several — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «several» in the school dictionary: Several means more than two, but not very many: several friends. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# several

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Several, several equal groups, we, Several children, Lily, I · **What happens:** mean, eat, be, multiply, share, buy · **To what, where:** two, few, Several cakes, 12 cookies, several packs, book

<!-- .vabout -->
«several» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 9 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: [several in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/several.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Several means more than two, but not very many: several friends.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:m1:1
# text = Several means more than two, but not very many: several friends.
1	Several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp|ExtPos=ADV	5	advmod	_	_
4	than	than	ADP	IN	_	3	fixed	_	_
5	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	10	advmod	_	_
9	very	very	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
12	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	friends	friend	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	vocative	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Several | two |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent two=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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
As a pronoun, several means a few of a group.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:m2:1
# text = As a pronoun, several means a few of a group.
1	As	as	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	pronoun	pronoun	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	nsubj	_	_
6	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	few	few	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	obj	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | several | a few |  |  |  | as a pronoun | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Agent few=Topic as pronoun=Attribute |

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Several of the cakes were eaten.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:m2e:1
# text = Several of the cakes were eaten.
1	Several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
2	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	cakes	cake	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj:pass	_	_
5	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	aux:pass	_	_
6	eaten	eat	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **eat** | past · passive |  | the Several cakes |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
When there are several equal groups, we multiply.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x1:1
# text = When there are several equal groups, we multiply.
1	When	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	3	mark	_	_
2	there	there	PRON	EX	PronType=Dem	3	expl	_	_
3	are	be	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	advcl	_	_
4	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
5	equal	equal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	groups	group	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
8	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	multiply	multiply	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **does** | present | several equal groups |  |  | there |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **multiply** | present | we |  |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Several children share 12 cookies equally.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x2:1
# text = Several children share 12 cookies equally.
1	Several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	share	share	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	cookies	cookie	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	equally	equally	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **share** | present | Several children | 12 cookies |  |  |  | equally *property* | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lily bought several packs of pens.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x3:1
# text = Lily bought several packs of pens.
1	Lily	Lily	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	bought	buy	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	packs	pack	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	pens	pen	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **buy** | past | Lily | several packs of pens |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pack=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I have read this book several times.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x4:1
# text = I have read this book several times.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	have	have	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	read	read	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	5	det	_	_
5	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	times	time	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **read** | present · perfect | I | this book |  |  | time |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent book=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Several birds sat on the wire.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x5:1
# text = Several birds sat on the wire.
1	Several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	sat	sit	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	wire	wire	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 | **sit** | past | Several birds |  |  | the wire |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent on wire=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It rained for several days.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x6:1
# text = It rained for several days.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	rained	rain	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	days	day	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **rain** | past | It |  |  |  | day |  | vn weather-57 «It V PP.theme» |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Several of my friends have pets.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x7:1
# text = Several of my friends have pets.
1	Several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
2	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	friends	friend	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
5	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	pets	pet	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | my Several friends | pets |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pet=Patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We waited several minutes for the bus.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x8:1
# text = We waited several minutes for the bus.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	waited	wait	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	minutes	minute	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	bus	bus	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 | **wait** | past | We |  |  |  | minute | for the bus | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
After several days they reached an island.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:several:x9:1
# text = After several days they reached an island.
1	After	after	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	several	several	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	days	day	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	_
4	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
5	reached	reach	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	island	island	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **reach** | past | they | a island |  |  | day |  | vn body\_motion-49.2-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Agent island=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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