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explain

Who acts: something, you, teacher, game, your, I · What happens: make, understand, describe, give, explain, be · To what, where: something, it, reason, 24, rules, answer · Speech: someone speaks here

«explain» in the English dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 12 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: explain in the English dictionary.

Everyday, meaning 1

To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it.

markobjamodccconjmarkxcompmarkadvclobjpunctrootToPARTmakeVERBsomethingPRONclearADJorCCONJeasyADJtoPARTunderstandVERBbySCONJdescribingVERBitPRON.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1TotoPART_2 makemark
2makemakeVERBMood=Imp VerbForm=Finrootroot
3somethingsomethingPRONNumber=Sing PronType=Ind2 makeobj
4clearclearADJDegree=Pos3 somethingamod
5ororCCONJ_6 easycc
6easyeasyADJDegree=Pos4 clearconj
7totoPART_8 understandmark
8understandunderstandVERBVerbForm=Inf6 easyxcomp
9bybySCONJ_10 describingmark
10describingdescribeVERBTense=Pres VerbForm=Part8 understandadvcl
11ititPRONCase=Acc Gender=Neut Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs10 describingobj
12..PUNCT_2 makepunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1maketo-infinitivesomethingvn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset something=Product
2understandto-infinitivesomething not said herevn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer
3describegerundsomething not said hereitvn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V NP S_ING»: agent=Agent it=Theme

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.

Everyday, meaning 2

To give a reason for something: «Can you explain why you were late?».

The tree, 13 words
markadvcldetobjcasenmodpunctpunctauxnsubjadvmodnsubjcopccomppunctpunctpunctrootToPARTgiveVERBaDETreasonNOUNforADPsomethingPRON:PUNCT«PUNCTCanAUXyouPRONexplainVERBwhyADVyouPRONwereAUXlateADJ?PUNCT»PUNCT.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1TotoPART_2 givemark
2givegiveVERBVerbForm=Inf11 explainadvcl
3aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art4 reasondet
4reasonreasonNOUNNumber=Sing2 giveobj
5forforADP_6 somethingcase
6somethingsomethingPRONNumber=Sing PronType=Ind4 reasonnmod
7::PUNCT_2 givepunct
8««PUNCT_11 explainpunct
9CancanAUXVerbForm=Fin11 explainaux
10youyouPRONCase=Nom Person=2 PronType=Prs11 explainnsubj
11explainexplainVERBVerbForm=Infrootroot
12whywhyADVPronType=Int15 lateadvmod
13youyouPRONCase=Nom Person=2 PronType=Prs15 latensubj
14werebeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=2 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin15 latecop
15latelateADJDegree=Pos11 explainccomp
16??PUNCT_15 latepunct
17»»PUNCT_15 latepunct
18..PUNCT_11 explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1giveto-infinitiveyou not said herea reasonfor somethingvn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP PP.asset»: agent=Agent reason=Theme for something=Asset
2explain speech: assert in a quotecanyouvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent
3is in a quotepastyoulate propertytree rules

Example 1

Can you explain how you got 24?

auxnsubjadvmodnsubjccompobjpunctrootCanAUXyouPRONexplainVERBhowADVyouPRONgotVERB24NUM?PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1CancanAUXVerbForm=Fin3 explainaux
2youyouPRONCase=Nom Person=2 PronType=Prs3 explainnsubj
3explainexplainVERBVerbForm=Infrootroot
4howhowADVPronType=Int6 gotadvmod
5youyouPRONCase=Nom Person=2 PronType=Prs6 gotnsubj
6gotgetVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=2 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin3 explainccomp
72424NUMNumForm=Digit NumType=Card6 gotobj
8??PUNCT_3 explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertcanyouvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic
2getpastyou24vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer 24=Stimulus

Example 2

The teacher explained the rules of the game.

detnsubjdetobjcasedetnmodpunctrootTheDETteacherNOUNexplainedVERBtheDETrulesNOUNofADPtheDETgameNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ThetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art2 teacherdet
2teacherteacherNOUNNumber=Sing3 explainednsubj
3explainedexplainVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Finrootroot
4thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art5 rulesdet
5rulesruleNOUNNumber=Plur3 explainedobj
6ofofADP_8 gamecase
7thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art8 gamedet
8gamegameNOUNNumber=Sing5 rulesnmod
9..PUNCT_3 explainedpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertpastthe teacherthe rules of the gamevn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent rule=Topic
2rulethe gamenom rule «cognition intransitive»: of=agent

Example 3

Please explain why you were late.

discourseadvmodnsubjcopadvmodpunctrootPleaseINTJexplainVERBwhyADVyouPRONwereAUXlateADV.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1PleasepleaseINTJ_2 explaindiscourse
2explainexplainVERBMood=Imp VerbForm=Finrootroot
3whywhyADVPronType=Int6 lateadvmod
4youyouPRONCase=Nom Person=2 PronType=Prs6 latensubj
5werebeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=2 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin6 latecop
6latelateADVDegree=Pos2 explainadvmod
7..PUNCT_2 explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertimperativeyou not said herevn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent
2ispastyoulate propertytree rules

Example 4

Explain your answer with a picture.

nmod:possobjcasedetoblpunctrootExplainVERByourPRONanswerNOUNwithADPaDETpictureNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ExplainexplainVERBMood=Imp VerbForm=Finrootroot
2youryourPRONCase=Gen Person=2 Poss=Yes PronType=Prs3 answernmod:poss
3answeranswerNOUNNumber=Sing1 Explainobj
4withwithADP_6 picturecase
5aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art6 picturedet
6picturepictureNOUNNumber=Sing1 Explainobl
7..PUNCT_1 Explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertimperativeyou not said hereyour answerwith a picturevn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent answer=Topic
2answeryournom answer «communication transitive»: poss=agent

Example 5

I'll explain it again more slowly.

nsubjauxobjadvmodadvmodadvmodpunctrootIPRON'llAUXexplainVERBitPRONagainADVmoreADVslowlyADV.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1IIPRONCase=Nom Number=Sing Person=1 PronType=Prs3 explainnsubj
2'llwillAUXVerbForm=Fin3 explainaux
3explainexplainVERBVerbForm=Infrootroot
4ititPRONCase=Acc Gender=Neut Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs3 explainobj
5againagainADV_3 explainadvmod
6moremoreADVDegree=Cmp7 slowlyadvmod
7slowlyslowlyADV_3 explainadvmod
8..PUNCT_3 explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertfutureIitagainslowly propertyvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Topic

Example 6

Can you explain how a rainbow forms?

auxnsubjadvmoddetnsubjccomppunctrootCanAUXyouPRONexplainVERBhowADVaDETrainbowNOUNformsVERB?PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1CancanAUXVerbForm=Fin3 explainaux
2youyouPRONCase=Nom Person=2 PronType=Prs3 explainnsubj
3explainexplainVERBVerbForm=Infrootroot
4howhowADVPronType=Int7 formsadvmod
5aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art6 rainbowdet
6rainbowrainbowNOUNNumber=Sing7 formsnsubj
7formsformVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin3 explainccomp
8??PUNCT_3 explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertcanyouvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic
2formpresenta rainbowvn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme

Example 7

She explained the problem to her mum.

nsubjdetobjcasenmod:possoblpunctrootShePRONexplainedVERBtheDETproblemNOUNtoADPherPRONmumNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1SheshePRONCase=Nom Gender=Fem Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs2 explainednsubj
2explainedexplainVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Finrootroot
3thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art4 problemdet
4problemproblemNOUNNumber=Sing2 explainedobj
5totoADP_7 mumcase
6herherPRONCase=Gen Gender=Fem Number=Sing Person=3 Poss=Yes PronType=Prs7 mumnmod:poss
7mummumNOUNNumber=Sing2 explainedobl
8..PUNCT_2 explainedpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertpastShethe problemher mumvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: agent=Agent problem=Topic to mum=Recipient

Example 8

There's no need to explain — I understand.

expldetnsubjmarkaclpunctnsubjparataxispunctrootTherePRON'sVERBnoDETneedNOUNtoPARTexplainVERB—PUNCTIPRONunderstandVERB.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1TheretherePRONPronType=Dem2 'sexpl
2'sbeVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Finrootroot
3nonoDETPronType=Neg4 needdet
4needneedNOUNNumber=Sing2 'snsubj
5totoPART_6 explainmark
6explainexplainVERBVerbForm=Inf4 needacl
7—-PUNCT_9 understandpunct
8IIPRONCase=Nom Number=Sing Person=1 PronType=Prs9 understandnsubj
9understandunderstandVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=1 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin2 'sparataxis
10..PUNCT_2 'spunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1bepresentno needtherevn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme
2explain speech: assertto-infinitiveno need not said herevn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent
3understandpresentIvn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer

Example 9

I cannot explain more at present.

nsubjauxadvmodadvmodcaseoblpunctrootIPRONcanAUXnotPARTexplainVERBmoreADVatADPpresentNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1IIPRONCase=Nom Number=Sing Person=1 PronType=Prs4 explainnsubj
2cancanAUXVerbForm=Fin4 explainaux
3notnotPARTPolarity=Neg4 explainadvmod
4explainexplainVERBVerbForm=Infrootroot
5moremoreADVDegree=Cmp4 explainadvmod
6atatADP_7 presentcase
7presentpresentNOUNNumber=Sing4 explainobl
8..PUNCT_4 explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1not explain speech: assertcanIpresentvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent

Example 10

Hermetic rituals explain this Yetziratic attri- bution. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)

Sentence 1: Hermetic rituals explain this Yetziratic attri- bution.

amodnsubjnsubjamodcompoundpunctccomppunctrootHermeticADJritualsNOUNexplainVERBthisPRONYetziraticADJattriNOUN-PUNCTbutionNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1HermetichermeticADJDegree=Pos2 ritualsamod
2ritualsritualNOUNNumber=Plur3 explainnsubj
3explainexplainVERBMood=Ind Number=Plur Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Finrootroot
4thisthisPRONNumber=Sing PronType=Dem8 butionnsubj
5YetziraticyetziraticADJDegree=Pos8 butionamod
6attriattriNOUNNumber=Sing8 butioncompound
7--PUNCT_6 attripunct
8butionbutionNOUNNumber=Sing3 explainccomp
9..PUNCT_3 explainpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertpresentHermetic ritualsvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent
2butionthistree rules

Sentence 2: (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)

punctflatpunctconjflatpunctroot(PUNCTSeferPROPNYetzirahPROPN,PUNCTWestcottPROPN1893NUM)PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1((PUNCT_2 Seferpunct
2SeferSeferPROPNNumber=Singrootroot
3YetzirahYetzirahPROPNNumber=Sing2 Seferflat
4,,PUNCT_5 Westcottpunct
5WestcottWestcottPROPNNumber=Sing2 Seferconj
618931893NUMNumForm=Digit NumType=Card5 Westcottflat
7))PUNCT_2 Seferpunct

The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

Example 11

This idea is then symbolically explained in the next paragraph. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)

Sentence 1: This idea is then symbolically explained in the next paragraph.

detnsubj:passaux:passadvmodadvmodcasedetamodoblpunctrootThisDETideaNOUNisAUXthenADVsymbolicallyADVexplainedVERBinADPtheDETnextADJparagraphNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ThisthisDETNumber=Sing PronType=Dem2 ideadet
2ideaideaNOUNNumber=Sing6 explainednsubj:pass
3isbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin6 explainedaux:pass
4thenthenADVPronType=Dem6 explainedadvmod
5symbolicallysymbolicallyADV_6 explainedadvmod
6explainedexplainVERBTense=Past VerbForm=Part Voice=Passrootroot
7ininADP_10 paragraphcase
8thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art10 paragraphdet
9nextnextADJDegree=Pos10 paragraphamod
10paragraphparagraphNOUNNumber=Sing6 explainedobl
11..PUNCT_6 explainedpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertpresent · passivethis ideathe next paragraphthensymbolically propertyvn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: subject=Topic

Sentence 2: (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)

punctflatpunctconjflatpunctroot(PUNCTSeferPROPNYetzirahPROPN,PUNCTKalischPROPN1877NUM)PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1((PUNCT_2 Seferpunct
2SeferSeferPROPNNumber=Singrootroot
3YetzirahYetzirahPROPNNumber=Sing2 Seferflat
4,,PUNCT_5 Kalischpunct
5KalischKalischPROPNNumber=Sing2 Seferconj
618771877NUMNumForm=Digit NumType=Card5 Kalischflat
7))PUNCT_2 Seferpunct

The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

Example 12

This passage is explained by Isaac Satanow in his Hebrew Dictionary entitled Sephath Emeth, p. 44, b: (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)

The tree, 21 words
detnsubj:passaux:passcaseobl:agentflatcaseccompcompoundnsubjacl:relclobjflatpunctnmod:unmarkednmod:unmarkedpunctflatpunctpunctapposflatpunctflatflatpunctrootThisDETpassageNOUNisAUXexplainedVERBbyADPIsaacPROPNSatanowPROPNinADPhisPRONHebrewPROPNDictionaryPROPNentitledVERBSephathPROPNEmethPROPN,PUNCTp.PROPN44NUM,PUNCTbNOUN:PUNCT(PUNCTSeferPROPNYetzirahPROPN,PUNCTKalischPROPN1877NUM)PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ThisthisDETNumber=Sing PronType=Dem2 passagedet
2passagepassageNOUNNumber=Sing4 explainednsubj:pass
3isbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin4 explainedaux:pass
4explainedexplainVERBTense=Past VerbForm=Part Voice=Passrootroot
5bybyADP_6 Isaaccase
6IsaacIsaacPROPNNumber=Sing4 explainedobl:agent
7SatanowSatanowPROPNNumber=Sing6 Isaacflat
8ininADP_9 hiscase
9hishisPRONCase=Gen Gender=Masc Number=Sing Person=3 Poss=Yes PronType=Prs4 explainedccomp
10HebrewHebrewPROPNNumber=Sing11 Dictionarycompound
11DictionaryDictionaryPROPNNumber=Sing12 entitlednsubj
12entitledentitleVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin9 hisacl:relcl
13SephathSephathPROPNNumber=Sing12 entitledobj
14EmethEmethPROPNNumber=Sing13 Sephathflat
15,,PUNCT_17 44punct
16p.P.PROPNNumber=Sing17 44nmod:unmarked
174444NUMNumForm=Digit NumType=Card13 Sephathnmod:unmarked
18,,PUNCT_19 bpunct
19bBNOUNNumber=Sing13 Sephathflat
20::PUNCT_22 Seferpunct
21((PUNCT_22 Seferpunct
22SeferSeferPROPNNumber=Sing19 bappos
23YetzirahYetzirahPROPNNumber=Sing22 Seferflat
24,,PUNCT_25 Kalischpunct
25KalischKalischPROPNNumber=Sing22 Seferflat
2618771877NUMNumForm=Digit NumType=Card25 Kalischflat
27))PUNCT_25 Kalischpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1explain speech: assertpresent · passiveIsaacthis passagevn transfer_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent subject=Topic
2entitlepastHebrew DictionarySephath 44 p.tree rules

Text: the English dictionary of Mova's schools (world/data/dictionary-schools/), written for Mova. Trees: Mova's own parse; they may be wrong. Frames: Mova's frames reader, each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

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