---
title: catalyst — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «catalyst» in the school dictionary: A substance that makes a chemical reaction go faster without being used up itself. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# catalyst

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** substance, chemical reaction, person, big change, change, Enzymes · **What happens:** make, go, use up, happen, act, break down · **To what, where:** chemical reaction, reaction, big change, change, food, peroxide fizz

<!-- .vabout -->
«catalyst» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings 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: [catalyst in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/catalyst.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: science — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A substance that makes a chemical reaction go faster without being used up itself.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:m1:1
# text = A substance that makes a chemical reaction go faster without being used up itself.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	substance	substance	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
4	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl:relcl	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	chemical	chemical	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	reaction	reaction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
8	go	go	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
9	faster	fast	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	8	advmod	_	_
10	without	without	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
11	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	12	aux:pass	_	_
12	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	advcl	_	_
13	up	up	ADP	RP	_	12	compound:prt	_	_
14	itself	itself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present | a substance | a chemical reaction |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **go** | infinitive | a chemical reaction *not said here* |  |  |  |  | fast *property* | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **use up** | gerund · passive | a substance *not said here* | reaction |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V» |

<!-- .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.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A person or event that makes a big change happen, or makes it happen sooner.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:m2:1
# text = A person or event that makes a big change happen, or makes it happen sooner.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	event	event	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	change	change	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
10	happen	happen	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	conj	_	_
14	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	obj	_	_
15	happen	happen	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	13	xcomp	_	_
16	sooner	soon	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	15	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present | a person or event | a big change |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **happen** | infinitive | a big change *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **make** | present | a person or event *not said here* | change |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **happen** | infinitive | change *not said here* |  |  |  |  | soon *property* | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Enzymes in your saliva act as catalysts to break down food.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:x1:1
# text = Enzymes in your saliva act as catalysts to break down food.
1	Enzymes	enzyme	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	saliva	saliva	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
5	act	act	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	as	as	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	catalysts	catalyst	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	break	break	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	advcl	_	_
10	down	down	ADP	RP	_	9	compound:prt	_	_
11	food	food	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **act** | present | Enzymes in your saliva |  |  |  |  | as catalysts | vn masquerade-29.6-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Agent as catalyst=Attribute |
| 2 | **break down** | to-infinitive | Enzymes in your saliva *not said here* | food |  |  |  |  | vn break-45.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent food=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A catalyst speeds up a reaction but is not used up.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:x2:1
# text = A catalyst speeds up a reaction but is not used up.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	catalyst	catalyst	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	speeds	speed	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	up	up	ADP	RP	_	3	compound:prt	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	reaction	reaction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	aux:pass	_	_
9	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	10	advmod	_	_
10	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	conj	_	_
11	up	up	ADP	RP	_	10	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **speed up** | present | a catalyst | a reaction |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent reaction=Agent |
| 2 | **not** **use up** | present · passive | a catalyst *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V» |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the experiment, the catalyst made the hydrogen peroxide fizz quickly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:x3:1
# text = In the experiment, the catalyst made the hydrogen peroxide fizz quickly.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	experiment	experiment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	catalyst	catalyst	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
7	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
9	hydrogen	hydrogen	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	peroxide	peroxide	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	fizz	fizz	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
12	quickly	quickly	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | the catalyst | the peroxide fizz |  | the experiment |  | quickly *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset fizz=Product |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The new teacher was a catalyst for change in our school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:x4:1
# text = The new teacher was a catalyst for change in our school.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	catalyst	catalyst	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	change	change	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the new teacher | a catalyst |  |  |  | for change in our school | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The storm was the catalyst that made the town build a stronger sea wall.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:x5:1
# text = The storm was the catalyst that made the town build a stronger sea wall.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	storm	storm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	catalyst	catalyst	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	town	town	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
10	build	build	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
12	stronger	strong	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	14	amod	_	_
13	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	compound	_	_
14	wall	wall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the storm | the catalyst |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | past | the catalyst | the town |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **build** | infinitive | the town *not said here* | a stronger sea wall |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset wall=Product |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Rosa Parks's brave act became a catalyst for the bus boycott.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:x6:1
# text = Rosa Parks's brave act became a catalyst for the bus boycott.
1	Rosa	Rosa	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod:poss	_	_
2	Parks	Parks	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	1	flat	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	1	case	_	_
4	brave	brave	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	act	act	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	became	become	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	catalyst	catalyst	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	xcomp	_	_
9	for	for	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
11	bus	bus	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	_
12	boycott	boycott	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **become** | past | Rosa's brave act | a catalyst for the bus boycott |  |  |  |  | vn become-109.1-1-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **act** |  | Rosa |  |  |  |  |  | nom act «communication intransitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Platinum is a catalyst in a car's exhaust system.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:catalyst:x7:1
# text = Platinum is a catalyst in a car's exhaust system.
1	Platinum	platinum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	catalyst	catalyst	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	's	's	PART	POS	_	7	case	_	_
9	exhaust	exhaust	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	system	system	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Platinum | a catalyst |  | a car's exhaust system |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- 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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