verbal
part of speech
adjective (verbal); adverb (verbally)
meaning for a pupil
1) Verbal means spoken in words, not written down: a verbal warning, a verbal agreement. tree →
2) Verbal means to do with words: verbal skills are skills with language. tree →
3) (grammar) Verbal means to do with verbs. tree →
4) (slang, UK) «Verbals» are insults or rude talk said to someone. tree →
sense in the lessons
In school it appears in «verbal reasoning» tests (word puzzles, UK), rules about «verbal bullying» (name-calling, threats), and sports («a verbal warning» from the referee). It tells the reader that something was said, not done or written. Phrases: «verbal warning», «verbal abuse», «verbal reasoning», «verbal agreement».
examples
- The referee gave him a verbal warning. tree →
- Name-calling is verbal bullying, and it hurts too. tree →
- We practised verbal reasoning for the test. tree →
- They made a verbal agreement to share the bike. tree →
- She has strong verbal skills and loves debates. tree →
- He was told off verbally, not in a letter. tree →
- Some fans gave the referee a lot of verbal (UK slang). tree →
- He stood so high that they were afraid he would not accept a verbal message. tree →
note
Trap: «verbal» strictly means «in words» (written or spoken), but in everyday use it nearly always means spoken; «oral» means spoken too. «Verbal» is not about verbs only, though in grammar it can be. Adverb: «verbally».
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «verbal» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.