---
title: try — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «try» in the school dictionary: To make an effort to do something. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# try

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** it, you, points, I, number, He · **What happens:** make, do, test, see, work, like · **To what, where:** effort, something, it, someone, law court, rugby · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«try» in the school dictionary: its 5 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: [try in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/try.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To make an effort to do something.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m1:1
# text = To make an effort to do something.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	effort	effort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	acl	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | a effort |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset effort=Product |
| 2 | **do** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |

<!-- .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 -->
"Try to finish."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m1e:1
# text = "Try to finish."
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Try	try	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	finish	finish	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** *in a quote* | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **finish** *not said to happen, in a quote* | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To test something to see if it works or if you like it.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m2:1
# text = To test something to see if it works or if you like it.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	test	test	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	see	see	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	acl	_	_
6	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	works	work	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	_
9	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
10	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
11	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
12	like	like	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	conj	_	_
13	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **test** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Theme |
| 2 | **see** | to-infinitive |  | something *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V how S\_INF»: agent=Experiencer clause=Stimulus |
| 3 | **work** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | it |  |  |  |  |  | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **like** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you | it |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot it=Theme |

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Try this cake."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m2e:1
# text = "Try this cake."
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Try	try	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	4	det	_	_
4	cake	cake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** *in a quote* | imperative | you *not said here* | this cake |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cake=Eventuality |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To judge someone in a law court.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m3:1
# text = To judge someone in a law court.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	judge	judge	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	court	court	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 | **judge** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  | a law court |  |  | vn estimate-34.2-1-1 «NP V NP.value»: agent=Agent someone=Value |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
As a noun, an attempt.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m4:1
# text = As a noun, an attempt.
1	As	as	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	noun	noun	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
5	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	attempt	attempt	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

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

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Have a try."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m4e:1
# text = "Have a try."
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Have	have	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	try	try	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** *in a quote* | imperative | you *not said here* | a try |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent try=Patient |

## Meaning 5 {#m5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In rugby, points scored by putting the ball down behind the line.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:m5:1
# text = In rugby, points scored by putting the ball down behind the line.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	rugby	rugby	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	points	point	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
5	scored	score	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
6	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	putting	put	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
10	down	down	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
11	behind	behind	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	line	line	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **score** | participle | points |  |  | rugby |  |  | vn get-13.5.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **put down** | gerund | points *not said here* | the ball |  | the line |  | down *property* | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent ball=Theme behind line=Destination |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Try your best.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x1:1
# text = Try your best.
1	Try	try	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	best	good	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	1	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | imperative | you *not said here* | your best |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent good=Eventuality |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Can I try your bike?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x2:1
# text = Can I try your bike?
1	Can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	try	try	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	bike	bike	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | can | I | your bike |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bike=Eventuality |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If you fail, try again.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x3:1
# text = If you fail, try again.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	3	mark	_	_
2	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	fail	fail	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	try	try	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	again	again	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fail** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **try** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  | again |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Try on these shoes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x4:1
# text = Try on these shoes.
1	Try	try	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	on	on	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	these	this	DET	DT	Number=Plur|PronType=Dem	4	det	_	_
4	shoes	shoe	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  | this shoes |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Try a number and check if it works.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x5:1
# text = Try a number and check if it works.
1	Try	try	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	check	check	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	_
6	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	works	work	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | imperative | you *not said here* | a number |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Eventuality |
| 2 | **check** | infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **work** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | number |  |  |  |  |  | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He scored a try in rugby.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x6:1
# text = He scored a try in rugby.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	scored	score	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	try	try	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	rugby	rugby	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **score** | past | He | a try |  | rugby |  |  | vn get-13.5.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent try=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x7:1
# text = I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	tried	try	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	lift	lift	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	box	box	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
8	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
10	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
11	too	too	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
12	heavy	heavy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | past | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **lift** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | I *not said here* | the box |  |  |  |  | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent box=Theme |
| 3 | **is** | past | box |  |  |  |  | heavy *property* | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Have a try at this puzzle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x8:1
# text = Have a try at this puzzle.
1	Have	have	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	try	try	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	6	det	_	_
6	puzzle	puzzle	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 | **have** | imperative | you *not said here* | a try |  | this puzzle |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent try=Patient |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"I will try," said Mignon gently.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:try:x9:1
# text = "I will try," said Mignon gently.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
3	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	try	try	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
7	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	Mignon	Mignon	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
9	gently	gently	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** *in a quote* | future | Mignon |  |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | Mignon |  |  |  |  | gently *property* | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |

<!-- 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.

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