---
title: chokepoint — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «chokepoint» in the school dictionary: A chokepoint is a narrow place, such as a strait, mountain pass or narrow road, where movement is squeezed together and can easily be blocked. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# chokepoint

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** chokepoint, things, Suez Canal, huge ship, Spartans, school gate · **What happens:** be, squeeze, block, slow down, get, stop · **To what, where:** narrow place, movement, point, system, chokepoint, canal

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A chokepoint is a narrow place, such as a strait, mountain pass or narrow road, where movement is squeezed together and can easily be blocked.

<!-- fold The tree, 25 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:m1:1
# text = A chokepoint is a narrow place, such as a strait, mountain pass or narrow road, where movement is squeezed together and can easily be blocked.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	narrow	narrow	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
8	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=ADP	11	case	_	_
9	as	as	ADP	IN	_	8	fixed	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	strait	strait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
13	mountain	mountain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	compound	_	_
14	pass	pass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
16	narrow	narrow	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	amod	_	_
17	road	road	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	22	punct	_	_
19	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	22	advmod	_	_
20	movement	movement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	22	nsubj:pass	_	_
21	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	22	aux:pass	_	_
22	squeezed	squeeze	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	17	acl:relcl	_	_
23	together	together	ADV	RB	_	22	advmod	_	_
24	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	28	cc	_	_
25	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	28	aux	_	_
26	easily	easily	ADV	RB	_	28	advmod	_	_
27	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	28	aux:pass	_	_
28	blocked	block	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	22	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
29	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a chokepoint | a narrow place and a strait and mountain pass or narrow road |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **squeeze** | present · passive |  | movement |  |  |  | together *property* | vn push-12-1-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |
| 3 | **block** | can · passive |  |  |  |  |  | easily *property* | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V S\_ING» |

<!-- .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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A chokepoint is any point in a system where things slow down or get stuck.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:m2:1
# text = A chokepoint is any point in a system where things slow down or get stuck.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	5	det	_	_
5	point	point	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	system	system	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	_
9	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	11	advmod	_	_
10	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	nsubj	_	_
11	slow	slow	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
12	down	down	ADP	RP	_	11	compound:prt	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	conj	_	_
15	stuck	stuck	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a chokepoint | any point |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **slow down** | present | things |  |  | a system |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |
| 3 | **get** | infinitive | things *not said here* |  |  |  |  | stuck *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Suez Canal is a chokepoint for ships between Europe and Asia.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:x1:1
# text = The Suez Canal is a chokepoint for ships between Europe and Asia.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	Suez	Suez	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	Canal	Canal	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	ships	ship	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
9	between	between	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	Europe	Europe	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	Asia	Asia	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the Suez Canal | a chokepoint |  |  |  | for ships between Europe and Asia | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
When a huge ship blocked the canal, the chokepoint stopped trade for days.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:x2:1
# text = When a huge ship blocked the canal, the chokepoint stopped trade for days.
1	When	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	5	mark	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	huge	huge	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	ship	ship	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	blocked	block	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	11	advcl	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	canal	canal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
11	stopped	stop	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
12	trade	trade	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	days	day	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **block** | past | a huge ship | the canal |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer canal=Theme |
| 2 | **stop** | past | the chokepoint | trade |  |  | day |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V NP.eventuality»: agent=Subeventuality trade=Eventuality |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Spartans held the narrow chokepoint at Thermopylae.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:x3:1
# text = The Spartans held the narrow chokepoint at Thermopylae.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Spartans	Spartan	PROPN	NNPS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	held	hold	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	narrow	narrow	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	Thermopylae	Thermopylae	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hold** | past | the Spartans | the narrow chokepoint |  | Thermopylae |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent chokepoint=Theme at thermopylae=Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The school gate becomes a chokepoint at home time.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:x4:1
# text = The school gate becomes a chokepoint at home time.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	gate	gate	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	becomes	become	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	xcomp	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	home	home	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **become** | present | the school gate | a chokepoint |  |  | time |  | vn become-109.1-1-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:x5:1
# text = Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint.
1	Oil	oil	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	tankers	tanker	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	pass	pass	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	through	through	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	Strait	Strait	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	Hormuz	Hormuz	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **pass** | present | Oil tankers |  |  | the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Theme through strait=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The narrow bridge was a chokepoint for traffic.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:x6:1
# text = The narrow bridge was a chokepoint for traffic.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	narrow	narrow	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	bridge	bridge	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	chokepoint	chokepoint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	traffic	traffic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the narrow bridge | a chokepoint |  |  |  | for traffic | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Fire exits should never become chokepoints.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:chokepoint:x7:1
# text = Fire exits should never become chokepoints.
1	Fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	exits	exit	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
3	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
4	never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	5	advmod	_	_
5	become	become	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	chokepoints	chokepoint	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **become** | should | Fire exits | chokepoints |  |  |  |  | vn become-109.1-1-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient |

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**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.

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