---
title: verbal — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «verbal» in the school dictionary: Verbal means spoken in words, not written down: a verbal warning, a verbal agreement. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# verbal

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Verbal, verbal skills, Verbals, referee, Name calling, calling · **What happens:** mean, speak, not write down, do, be, say · **To what, where:** words, skills, insults, rude talk, someone, verbal warning · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«verbal» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 8 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: [verbal in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/verbal.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Verbal means spoken in words, not written down: a verbal warning, a verbal agreement.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:m1:1
# text = Verbal means spoken in words, not written down: a verbal warning, a verbal agreement.
1	Verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	spoken	speak	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	ccomp	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	_
8	written	write	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	appos	_	_
9	down	down	ADP	RP	_	8	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	warning	warning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
16	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	amod	_	_
17	agreement	agreement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Verbal |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **speak** *speech: other* | participle |  |  |  | words |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **not** **write down** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .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 -->
Verbal means to do with words: verbal skills are skills with language.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:m2:1
# text = Verbal means to do with words: verbal skills are skills with language.
1	Verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	ccomp	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
8	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	skills	skill	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	nsubj	_	_
10	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
11	skills	skill	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
12	with	with	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	language	language	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Verbal |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **do** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | with words | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is a** | present | verbal skills | skills |  |  |  | with language | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Verbal means to do with verbs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:m3:1
# text = Verbal means to do with verbs.
1	Verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	ccomp	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	verbs	verb	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Verbal |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **do** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | with verbs | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: slang, UK — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Verbals» are insults or rude talk said to someone.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:m4:1
# text = «Verbals» are insults or rude talk said to someone.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Verbals	verbal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
4	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	insults	insult	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	rude	rude	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	talk	talk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
9	said	say	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	acl	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Verbals | insults or rude talk |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | participle |  | rude talk *not said here* | someone |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V PP.recipient S-Quote»: agent=Agent to someone=Recipient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The referee gave him a verbal warning.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x1:1
# text = The referee gave him a verbal warning.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	referee	referee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	iobj	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	warning	warning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | the referee | a verbal warning | him *= he* |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent he=Recipient warning=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Name-calling is verbal bullying, and it hurts too.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x2:1
# text = Name-calling is verbal bullying, and it hurts too.
1	Name	name	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	1	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	calling	calling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	bullying	bullying	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	hurts	hurt	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	conj	_	_
11	too	too	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Name calling | verbal bullying |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **hurt** | present | calling |  |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP-PRO-ARB»: agent=Stimulus |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We practised verbal reasoning for the test.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x3:1
# text = We practised verbal reasoning for the test.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	practised	practise	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	reasoning	reasoning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	test	test	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 | **practise** | past | We | verbal reasoning |  |  |  | for the test | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
They made a verbal agreement to share the bike.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x4:1
# text = They made a verbal agreement to share the bike.
1	They	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	agreement	agreement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	share	share	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	bike	bike	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | They | a verbal agreement |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset agreement=Product |
| 2 | **share** | to-infinitive | They *not said here* | the bike |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She has strong verbal skills and loves debates.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x5:1
# text = She has strong verbal skills and loves debates.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	strong	strong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
4	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	skills	skill	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	loves	love	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
8	debates	debate	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | She | strong verbal skills |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent skill=Patient |
| 2 | **love** | present | She *not said here* | debates |  |  |  |  | vn admire-31.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer debate=Stimulus |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He was told off verbally, not in a letter.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x6:1
# text = He was told off verbally, not in a letter.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	told	tell	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	off	off	ADP	RP	_	3	compound:prt	_	_
5	verbally	verbally	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	10	advmod	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	letter	letter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tell off** *speech: assert* | past · passive |  | He |  |  |  | verbally *property* | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Some fans gave the referee a lot of verbal (UK slang).

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x7:1
# text = Some fans gave the referee a lot of verbal (UK slang).
1	Some	some	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	fans	fan	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	referee	referee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	iobj	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	lot	lot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	nmod	_	_
10	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	12	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	UK	UK	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	_
12	slang	slang	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	12	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | some fans | a lot of verbal | the referee |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent referee=Recipient lot=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He stood so high that they were afraid he would not accept a verbal message.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:verbal:x8:1
# text = He stood so high that they were afraid he would not accept a verbal message.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	stood	stand	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	so	so	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	high	high	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
5	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
6	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
7	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
8	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	advcl	_	_
9	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
10	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	12	aux	_	_
11	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	12	advmod	_	_
12	accept	accept	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	ccomp	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
14	verbal	verbal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	message	message	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stand** | past | He |  |  |  |  | high *property* | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | past | they |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **not** **accept** | would | he | a verbal message |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent message=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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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