---
title: vainly — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «vainly» in the school dictionary: Without success; in vain: he tried vainly to open the door. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# vainly

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** he, Alice, Mole, cat, They, She · **What happens:** try, open, reach, search, lose, look · **To what, where:** door, golden key, wood, herself, mirror

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Without success; in vain: he tried vainly to open the door.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:m1:1
# text = Without success; in vain: he tried vainly to open the door.
1	Without	without	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	success	success	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	5	punct	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	vain	vain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	tried	try	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	_
9	vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	open	open	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	xcomp	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | past | he |  |  |  |  | vainly *property* | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **open** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | he *not said here* | the door |  |  |  |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location door=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}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: less common — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In a vain, proud way about your looks or abilities.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:m2:1
# text = In a vain, proud way about your looks or abilities.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
3	vain	vain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	proud	proud	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	about	about	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	looks	look	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	abilities	ability	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Alice tried vainly to reach the golden key.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:x1:1
# text = Alice tried vainly to reach the golden key.
1	Alice	Alice	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	tried	try	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	reach	reach	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	golden	golden	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	key	key	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | past | Alice |  |  |  |  | vainly *property* | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **reach** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | Alice *not said here* | the golden key |  |  |  |  | vn body\_motion-49.2-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Agent key=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He searched vainly for his lost glove.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:x2:1
# text = He searched vainly for his lost glove.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	searched	search	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
6	lost	lose	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	amod	_	_
7	glove	glove	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 | **search** | past | He |  |  |  |  | for his lost glove; vainly *property* | vn search-35.2 «NP V PP.theme NP.location»: agent=Agent for glove=Theme |
| 2 | **lose** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mole looked vainly for a way out of the wood.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:x3:1
# text = Mole looked vainly for a way out of the wood.
1	Mole	Mole	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	looked	look	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
7	out	out	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	wood	wood	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **look** | past | Mole |  |  | the wood |  | for a way; vainly *property* | vn rummage-35.5 «NP V PP.location PP.theme»: agent=Agent for way=Theme out wood=Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The cat jumped vainly at the bird.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:x4:1
# text = The cat jumped vainly at the bird.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	cat	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	jumped	jump	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	bird	bird	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **jump** | past | the cat |  |  |  |  | at the bird; vainly *property* | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme at bird=Trajectory |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
They waited vainly for the bus.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:x5:1
# text = They waited vainly for the bus.
1	They	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	waited	wait	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	bus	bus	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 | **wait** | past | They |  |  |  |  | for the bus; vainly *property* | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She vainly admired herself in every mirror.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:x6:1
# text = She vainly admired herself in every mirror.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	admired	admire	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	herself	herself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	3	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	every	every	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	7	det	_	_
7	mirror	mirror	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **admire** | past | She | herself *= she* |  | every mirror |  | vainly *property* | vn admire-31.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer herself=Stimulus |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Vainly they tried to imagine what death could be like.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:vainly:x7:1
# text = Vainly they tried to imagine what death could be like.
1	Vainly	vainly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
2	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	tried	try	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	imagine	imagine	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	5	obj	_	_
7	death	death	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
8	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
9	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	cop	_	_
10	like	like	INTJ	UH	_	8	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | past | they |  |  |  |  | vainly *property* | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **imagine** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | they *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn wish-62 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot what=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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