be-v; 7 Senses

Sense Number 1: possess a quality or attribute, equivalence between two things

Commentary:
NOTE: This sense includes copula usage, e.g. 'she is pretty'

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.
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: representation-110.1
FrameNet: Performers_and_roles
PropBank: be.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sense Number 2: 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: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4, 11

Sense Number 3: 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: seem-109
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: 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: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 5: 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: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 10

Sense Number 6: cost, be priced at

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

Mappings:
VerbNet: seem-109
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: be.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 13

Sense Number 7: remain undisturbed

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

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