be-v; 8 Senses

Sense Number 1: possess a quality or attribute, consist of

Commentary:
NOTE: In this sense, the predicate describes the subject--it is not equal to the subject. ie, this is NOT NP1 = NP2. You CANNOT change the NPs around. Ex: He is a resident neurosurgeon. **(not okay) A resident neurosurgeon is him. If switching the NPs makes the sentence weird, then it belongs here (and not sense 2) This sense

Examples:
John is rich
A dog is a mammal.
He is a resident neurosurgeon.
Maria Callas was Tosca in that production at La Scala.
There is an indication of linkage.
Those are signs of strength in our economy.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 8, 9

Sense Number 2: equivalence between two things, or class inclusion of one thing by another.

Commentary: NP1 = NP2 Compare to sense 1; in this sense, you CAN switch the NPs around So, you can say 'Our' resident philosopher is her. BUT NOT 'A' resident philospher is her.

Examples:
This is my house.
Four cups is one quart.
The farm is his entire inheritance.
The network is the computer.
She is our resident philosopher.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 6, 7, 8

Sense Number 3: have an existence

Commentary:
NOTE: compare to sense 5; the thing "being" here is an entity, not an event.

Examples:
Is there really a Tooth Fairy?
The old five-and-dime store is no more.
The beeper - is it still around?

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4, 11

Sense Number 4: occupy a location or place

Commentary: Answers the question WHERE, i.e., NP BE WHERE

Examples:
Where is my umbrella?
the toolshed is in the back
France is in Europe.
Mary is in New York now.
Where am I?

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 5: occur, happen, take place

Commentary: Usually of the form THERE + BE (finite) Compare to sense 3; the thing "being" here is an event, not an entity.
NOTE: does not indicate having an ongoing existence like sense #3 - is more temporary Example: 'There is a play this weekend' does not indicate a permanent state, it indicates something that will occur, and then end.

Examples:
There was a lot of noise in the kitchen
There is a parade on Main Street.
There is a play this weekend.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 6: use time

Examples:
I was two hours at the doctor's office.
Will you be more than an hour?
Don't be more than five minutes!

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 10

Sense Number 7: cost, be priced at

Examples:
Were those shoes more than fifty dollars?
That stock is 20 bucks a share.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 13

Sense Number 8: remain undisturbed

Examples:
Let it be.
Oh, leave them be.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 12