---
title: thing — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «thing» in the school dictionary: A thing is any object you can name. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# thing

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** thing, you, strange thing, Things, we, Ben · **What happens:** be, name, happen, mean, pack, share · **To what, where:** object, idea, belongings, things, number, 12 things · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«thing» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [thing in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/thing.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A thing is any object you can name.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:m1:1
# text = A thing is any object you can name.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	5	det	_	_
5	object	object	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
7	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
8	name	name	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a thing | any object |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **name** | can | you | any object *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn appoint-29.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent object=Theme |

<!-- .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 thing can be an idea, an event or something that happens: «A strange thing happened».

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:m2:1
# text = A thing can be an idea, an event or something that happens: «A strange thing happened».
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
4	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	cop	_	_
5	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	event	event	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	parataxis	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	9	conj	_	_
12	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	13	nsubj	_	_
13	happens	happen	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	19	punct	_	_
15	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
17	strange	strange	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	18	amod	_	_
18	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	nsubj	_	_
19	happened	happen	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | can | a thing | a idea |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **happen** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **happen** *in a quote* | past | a strange thing |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Things can mean your belongings: «Pack your things».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:m3:1
# text = Things can mean your belongings: «Pack your things».
1	Things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	belongings	belonging	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	Pack	pack	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	parataxis	_	_
9	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | Things | your belongings |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **pack** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | your things |  |  |  |  | vn spray-9.7-1-1 «NP.theme V NP»: agent=Theme thing=Destination |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
When we share a number of things equally into groups, we divide.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x1:1
# text = When we share a number of things equally into groups, we divide.
1	When	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	3	mark	_	_
2	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	share	share	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	advcl	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	_
8	equally	equally	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
9	into	into	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	groups	group	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
12	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
13	divide	divide	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	13	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **share** | present | we | a number of things into groups |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **divide** | present | we |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ben puts 12 things into 3 bags.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x2:1
# text = Ben puts 12 things into 3 bags.
1	Ben	Ben	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	puts	put	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	into	into	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	bags	bag	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put** | present | Ben | 12 things |  | 3 bags |  |  | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent thing=Goal |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
How many things are on the table?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x3:1
# text = How many things are on the table?
1	How	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	2	advmod	_	_
2	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
4	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	table	table	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 | **is** | present | many things |  |  | the table |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Plants and animals are living things.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x4:1
# text = Plants and animals are living things.
1	Plants	plant	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
2	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	3	cc	_	_
3	animals	animal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	conj	_	_
4	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	living	living	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	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 | Plants and animals | living things |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Pack your things for the trip.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x5:1
# text = Pack your things for the trip.
1	Pack	pack	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	trip	trip	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 | **pack** | imperative | you *not said here* | your things |  |  |  | for the trip | vn spray-9.7-1-1 «NP.theme V NP»: agent=Theme thing=Destination |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The best thing about summer is the beach.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x6:1
# text = The best thing about summer is the beach.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	best	good	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	3	amod	_	_
3	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
4	about	about	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	summer	summer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
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	beach	beach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the best thing about summer | the beach |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A funny thing happened at school today.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x7:1
# text = A funny thing happened at school today.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	funny	funny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	happened	happen	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
7	today	today	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **happen** | past | a funny thing |  |  | school | today |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Theme at school=Location |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Hot things can burn you, so do not touch the stove.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x8:1
# text = Hot things can burn you, so do not touch the stove.
1	Hot	hot	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	burn	burn	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	so	so	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
8	do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	10	aux	_	_
9	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	10	advmod	_	_
10	touch	touch	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	4	parataxis	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	stove	stove	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **burn** | can | Hot things | you |  |  |  |  | vn light\_emission-43.1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent you=Theme |
| 2 | **not** **touch** | infinitive · do-support |  | the stove |  |  |  |  | vn contiguous\_location-47.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme stove=Co-Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
And then a strange thing happened.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:thing:x9:1
# text = And then a strange thing happened.
1	And	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
2	then	then	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	6	advmod	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	strange	strange	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	happened	happen	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **happen** | past | a strange thing |  |  |  | then |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «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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