---
title: clappers — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «clappers» in the school dictionary: The metal tongue or ball hanging inside a bell that hits it to make it ring (a clapper). Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# clappers

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** ball, bell, device, We, clapper, bell ringers · **What happens:** hang, hit, make, ring, run, scare · **To what, where:** bell, clapper, clapping noise, birds, clapperboard, bus

<!-- .vabout -->
«clappers» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 6 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: [clappers in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/clappers.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The metal tongue or ball hanging inside a bell that hits it to make it ring (a clapper).

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:m1:1
# text = The metal tongue or ball hanging inside a bell that hits it to make it ring (a clapper).
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	metal	metal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	tongue	tongue	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
6	hanging	hang	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
7	inside	inside	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	bell	bell	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
10	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	11	nsubj	_	_
11	hits	hit	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	acl:relcl	_	_
12	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	11	obj	_	_
13	to	to	PART	TO	_	14	mark	_	_
14	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	advcl	_	_
15	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	obj	_	_
16	ring	ring	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	14	xcomp	_	_
17	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
19	clapper	clapper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hang** | gerund | ball *not said here* |  |  | a bell |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent inside bell=Location |
| 2 | **hit** | present | a bell | bell |  |  |  |  | vn contiguous\_location-47.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme it=Co-Theme |
| 3 | **make** | to-infinitive | a bell *not said here* | bell |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **ring** | infinitive | bell *not said here* | a clapper |  |  |  |  | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location clapper=Theme |

<!-- .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: UK, informal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In «like the clappers»: very fast or very hard («run like the clappers»).

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:m2:1
# text = In «like the clappers»: very fast or very hard («run like the clappers»).
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
2	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	like	like	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	clappers	clapper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	very	very	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	fast	fast	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	5	advmod	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
11	very	very	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
12	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	conj	_	_
13	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	run	run	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	12	parataxis	_	_
16	like	like	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
17	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
18	clappers	clapper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	12	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **run** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | like the clappers | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A device that makes a clapping noise, for example to scare birds, or the clapperboard used when filming.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:m3:1
# text = A device that makes a clapping noise, for example to scare birds, or the clapperboard used when filming.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	device	device	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	clapping	clapping	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	noise	noise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	example	example	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
11	to	to	PART	TO	_	12	mark	_	_
12	scare	scare	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	advcl	_	_
13	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
16	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	clapperboard	clapperboard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
18	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	17	acl	_	_
19	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	20	advmod	_	_
20	filming	film	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	18	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present | a device or the clapperboard | a clapping noise |  |  |  | for example | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP P.asset»: agent=Agent noise=Product for example=Asset |
| 2 | **scare** | to-infinitive | a device or the clapperboard *not said here* | birds |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Stimulus bird=Experiencer |
| 3 | **use** | participle |  | the clapperboard *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **film** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn transcribe-25.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We ran like the clappers to catch the bus.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:x1:1
# text = We ran like the clappers to catch the bus.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	ran	run	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	like	like	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	clappers	clapper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	catch	catch	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	bus	bus	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **run** | past | We |  |  |  |  | like the clappers | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **catch** | to-infinitive | We *not said here* | the bus |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bus=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The bell's clapper swung and struck the side.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:x2:1
# text = The bell's clapper swung and struck the side.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	bell	bell	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	2	case	_	_
4	clapper	clapper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	swung	swing	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	struck	strike	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	conj	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	side	side	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **swing** | past | the bell's clapper |  |  |  |  |  | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |
| 2 | **strike** | past | the bell's clapper *not said here* | the side |  |  |  |  | vn hit-18.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent side=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The bell-ringers checked the clappers before Sunday service.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:x3:1
# text = The bell-ringers checked the clappers before Sunday service.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
2	bell	bell	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	ringers	ringer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
5	checked	check	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	clappers	clapper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	_
8	before	before	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	Sunday	Sunday	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	service	service	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **check** | past | the bell ringers | the clappers |  |  | before Sunday service |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent clapper=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grandad drove like the clappers to get us to the hospital in time.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:x4:1
# text = Grandad drove like the clappers to get us to the hospital in time.
1	Grandad	Grandad	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	drove	drive	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	like	like	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	clappers	clapper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
8	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	iobj	_	_
9	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	hospital	hospital	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
12	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **drive** | past | Grandad |  |  |  |  | like the clappers | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2-1 «NP.agent V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **get** | to-infinitive | Grandad *not said here* |  | us |  | time | to the hospital | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer we=Stimulus |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rain came down like the clappers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:x5:1
# text = The rain came down like the clappers.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	came	come	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	down	down	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	like	like	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	clappers	clapper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **come down** | past | the rain |  |  |  |  | like the clappers; down *property* | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A clapper scared the birds off the field.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:clappers:x6:1
# text = A clapper scared the birds off the field.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	clapper	clapper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	scared	scare	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	off	off	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	field	field	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **scare** | past | a clapper | the birds |  |  |  | off the field | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Stimulus bird=Experiencer |

<!-- 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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