---
title: watchful — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «watchful» in the school dictionary: Paying careful attention to what is happening, so you notice any danger or problem. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# watchful

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Paying, you, lifeguard, We, mother bird, cat · **What happens:** pay, happen, notice, keep, build, be · **To what, where:** careful attention, danger, watchful eye, swimmers, den, busy road

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Paying careful attention to what is happening, so you notice any danger or problem.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:m1:1
# text = Paying careful attention to what is happening, so you notice any danger or problem.
1	Paying	pay	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	csubj	_	_
2	careful	careful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	attention	attention	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	to	to	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	1	obl	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	happening	happen	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
9	so	so	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
10	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	_
11	notice	notice	VERB	VBP	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	advcl	_	_
12	any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	13	det	_	_
13	danger	danger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **pay** | gerund |  | careful attention |  |  |  |  | vn pay-68-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent attention=Asset |
| 2 | **happen** | present · progressive | Paying |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **notice** | present | you | any danger or problem |  |  |  |  | vn see-30.1-1 «NP V S»: agent=Experiencer danger=Stimulus |

<!-- .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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The lifeguard kept a watchful eye on the swimmers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:x1:1
# text = The lifeguard kept a watchful eye on the swimmers.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	lifeguard	lifeguard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	kept	keep	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	watchful	watchful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	eye	eye	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	swimmers	swimmer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | past | the lifeguard | a watchful eye |  | the swimmers |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent eye=Theme on swimmer=Location |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We built the den under the watchful eye of our teacher.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:x2:1
# text = We built the den under the watchful eye of our teacher.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	den	den	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	under	under	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	watchful	watchful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	eye	eye	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | past | We | the den |  | the watchful eye of our teacher |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent den=Product |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The mother bird was watchful as the cat came near.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:x3:1
# text = The mother bird was watchful as the cat came near.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	mother	mother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	bird	bird	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	watchful	watchful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	cat	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
9	came	come	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	_
10	near	near	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the mother bird |  |  |  |  | watchful *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **come** | past | the cat |  |  |  |  | near *property* | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Be watchful when you cross a busy road.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:x4:1
# text = Be watchful when you cross a busy road.
1	Be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	cop	_	_
2	watchful	watchful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
3	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	5	advmod	_	_
4	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
5	cross	cross	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	busy	busy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	road	road	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 | **is** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | watchful *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **cross** | present | you | a busy road |  |  |  |  | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent road=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The watchful guard noticed the open gate.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:x5:1
# text = The watchful guard noticed the open gate.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	watchful	watchful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	guard	guard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	noticed	notice	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	open	open	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	gate	gate	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **notice** | past | the watchful guard | the open gate |  |  |  |  | vn see-30.1-1 «NP V S»: agent=Experiencer gate=Stimulus |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Meerkats take turns to be watchful while the others feed.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:x6:1
# text = Meerkats take turns to be watchful while the others feed.
1	Meerkats	meerkat	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	take	take	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	turns	turn	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	cop	_	_
6	watchful	watchful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	advcl	_	_
7	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	others	other	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	nsubj	_	_
10	feed	feed	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | present | Meerkats | turns |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent turn=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | to-infinitive | Meerkats *not said here* |  |  |  |  | watchful *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **feed** | present | the others |  |  |  |  |  | vn gorge-39.6 «NP V PP.patient»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
But the watchful Nephele contrived to circumvent her cruel designs, and succeeded in getting the children out of the palace.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:watchful:x7:1
# text = But the watchful Nephele contrived to circumvent her cruel designs, and succeeded in getting the children out of the palace.
1	But	but	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	watchful	watchful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	Nephele	Nephele	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	contrived	contrive	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	circumvent	circumvent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	_
8	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
9	cruel	cruel	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	designs	design	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	succeeded	succeed	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	conj	_	_
14	in	in	SCONJ	IN	_	15	mark	_	_
15	getting	get	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	13	advcl	_	_
16	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	obj	_	_
18	out	out	ADP	IN	_	21	case	_	_
19	of	of	ADP	IN	_	21	case	_	_
20	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
21	palace	palace	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **contrive** | past | the watchful Nephele |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **circumvent** | to-infinitive | the watchful Nephele *not said here* | Nephele's cruel designs |  |  |  |  | vn avoid-52 «NP V NP.location»: agent=Agent design=Location |
| 3 | **succeed** | past | the watchful Nephele *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **get** | gerund | the watchful Nephele *not said here* | the children |  | the palace |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer child=Stimulus |
| 5 | **design** |  | Nephele |  |  |  |  |  | nom design «act transitive»: poss=agent |

<!-- 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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