---
title: tablespoon — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «tablespoon» in the school dictionary: A tablespoon is a large spoon used for serving food or for measuring in cooking. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# tablespoon

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** tablespoon, you, One tablespoon, Mum, recipe, many millilitres · **What happens:** be, use, serve, hold, add, say · **To what, where:** large spoon, food, amount, two tablespoons, peas, 1 tbsp · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A tablespoon is a large spoon used for serving food or for measuring in cooking.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:m1:1
# text = A tablespoon is a large spoon used for serving food or for measuring in cooking.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	tablespoon	tablespoon	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	large	large	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	spoon	spoon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	acl	_	_
8	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
9	serving	serve	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	advcl	_	_
10	food	food	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
12	for	for	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	measuring	measuring	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	_
14	in	in	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	cooking	cooking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a tablespoon | a large spoon |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  | a large spoon *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **serve** | gerund |  | food or measuring in cooking |  |  |  |  | vn masquerade-29.6-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent food=Attribute |

<!-- .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 -->
A tablespoon (tablespoonful) is the amount it holds, used as a measure in recipes.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:m2:1
# text = A tablespoon (tablespoonful) is the amount it holds, used as a measure in recipes.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	tablespoon	tablespoon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
3	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	tablespoonful	tablespoonful	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	4	punct	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	amount	amount	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	holds	hold	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	acl	_	_
13	as	as	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	measure	measure	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	_
16	in	in	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	recipes	recipe	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a tablespoon | the amount |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **hold** | present | tablespoon | the amount *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent amount=Theme |
| 3 | **use** | participle |  | the amount *not said here* |  |  |  | as a measure in recipes | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Add two tablespoons of sugar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x1:1
# text = Add two tablespoons of sugar.
1	Add	add	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	tablespoons	tablespoon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	sugar	sugar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **add** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* | two tablespoons of sugar |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tablespoon=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
One tablespoon is the same as three teaspoons.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x2:1
# text = One tablespoon is the same as three teaspoons.
1	One	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	2	nummod	_	_
2	tablespoon	tablespoon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	as	as	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	three	three	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	teaspoons	teaspoon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | One tablespoon |  |  |  |  | as three teaspoons; same *property* | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mum served the peas with a tablespoon.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x3:1
# text = Mum served the peas with a tablespoon.
1	Mum	mum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	served	serve	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	peas	pea	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	tablespoon	tablespoon	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 | **serve** | past | Mum | the peas |  |  |  | with a tablespoon | vn fulfilling-13.4.1-1 «NP V NP-Fulfilling PP.theme»: agent=Agent pea=Recipient with tablespoon=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The recipe says 1 tbsp of oil.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x4:1
# text = The recipe says 1 tbsp of oil.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	recipe	recipe	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	says	say	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	1	1	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	tbsp	tbsp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	oil	oil	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | the recipe | 1 tbsp of oil |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent tbsp=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Use a level tablespoon of flour, not a heaped one.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x5:1
# text = Use a level tablespoon of flour, not a heaped one.
1	Use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	level	level	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	tablespoon	tablespoon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	flour	flour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
8	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	heaped	heap	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	11	amod	_	_
11	one	one	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | imperative | you *not said here* | a level tablespoon of flour and a heaped one |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tablespoon=Patient |
| 2 | **heap** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn spray-9.7-2 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
How many millilitres are in 4 tablespoons? (60 ml in the UK)

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* How many millilitres are in 4 tablespoons?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x6:1
# text = How many millilitres are in 4 tablespoons?
1	How	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	2	advmod	_	_
2	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	millilitres	millilitre	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
4	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	tablespoons	tablespoon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | many millilitres |  |  | 4 tablespoons |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* (60 ml in the UK)

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x6:2
# text = (60 ml in the UK)
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	60	60	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	ml	ml	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	UK	UK	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't confuse tbsp with tsp!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tablespoon:x7:1
# text = Don't confuse tbsp with tsp!
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	confuse	confuse	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	tbsp	tbsp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	tsp	tsp	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 | **not** **confuse** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | tbsp |  |  |  | with tsp | vn amalgamate-22.2-2 «NP V NP PP.co-patient»: agent=Agent tbsp=Patient with tsp=Co-Patient |

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**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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