---
title: deterrence — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «deterrence» in the school dictionary: Stopping people from doing something by making them afraid of what would happen to them if they did it. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# deterrence

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** people, country, strong weapons, Fines, bright lights, deterrence · **What happens:** stop, do, make, happen, have, hit back · **To what, where:** people, something, it, attacks, strong weapons, form · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Stopping people from doing something by making them afraid of what would happen to them if they did it.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:m1:1
# text = Stopping people from doing something by making them afraid of what would happen to them if they did it.
1	Stopping	stop	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
2	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
3	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	4	mark	_	_
4	doing	do	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	advcl	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	_
6	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	making	make	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	4	advcl	_	_
8	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	obj	_	_
9	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	xcomp	_	_
10	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
11	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	13	nsubj	_	_
12	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	13	aux	_	_
13	happen	happen	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	ccomp	_	_
14	to	to	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	obl	_	_
16	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	18	mark	_	_
17	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	18	nsubj	_	_
18	did	do	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	advcl	_	_
19	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	18	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stop** | gerund |  | people |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V NP.eventuality»: agent=Subeventuality people=Eventuality |
| 2 | **do** | gerund |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |
| 3 | **make** | gerund |  | people |  |  |  | afraid *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset they=Product |
| 4 | **happen** | would |  |  | people |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 5 | **do** *a condition, not said to happen* | past | people | it |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Eventuality |

<!-- .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: politics — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The idea that a country can stop attacks by having strong weapons that would hit back.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:m2:1
# text = The idea that a country can stop attacks by having strong weapons that would hit back.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	country	country	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
6	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	acl	_	_
8	attacks	attack	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	_
9	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
10	having	have	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	advcl	_	_
11	strong	strong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	weapons	weapon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obj	_	_
13	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	15	nsubj	_	_
14	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	15	aux	_	_
15	hit	hit	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	12	acl:relcl	_	_
16	back	back	ADV	RB	_	15	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stop** | can | a country | attacks |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V NP.eventuality»: agent=Subeventuality attack=Eventuality |
| 2 | **have** | gerund | a country *not said here* | strong weapons |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent weapon=Patient |
| 3 | **hit back** | would | strong weapons |  |  |  |  |  | vn contiguous\_location-47.8-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Fines for littering are a form of deterrence.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:x1:1
# text = Fines for littering are a form of deterrence.
1	Fines	fine	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
2	for	for	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	littering	littering	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
4	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	form	form	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	deterrence	deterrence	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** | present | Fines for littering | a form |  |  |  | of deterrence | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The bright lights act as deterrence against burglars.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:x2:1
# text = The bright lights act as deterrence against burglars.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	bright	bright	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	lights	light	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	act	act	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	as	as	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	deterrence	deterrence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
7	against	against	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	burglars	burglar	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **act** | present | the bright lights |  |  |  |  | as deterrence; against burglars | vn masquerade-29.6-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Agent as deterrence=Attribute |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
During the Cold War, both sides relied on nuclear deterrence.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:x3:1
# text = During the Cold War, both sides relied on nuclear deterrence.
1	During	during	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	Cold	Cold	ADJ	NNP	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	War	War	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	both	both	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	7	det	_	_
7	sides	side	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	relied	rely	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
9	on	on	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	nuclear	nuclear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	deterrence	deterrence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **rely** | participle · passive |  | both sides |  | nuclear deterrence | during the Cold War |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Some people argue that deterrence works better than punishment after a crime.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:x4:1
# text = Some people argue that deterrence works better than punishment after a crime.
1	Some	some	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	argue	argue	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	deterrence	deterrence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	works	work	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	_
7	better	well	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	6	advmod	_	_
8	than	than	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	punishment	punishment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
10	after	after	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	crime	crime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **argue** *speech: disagree* | present | some people |  |  |  |  |  | vn correspond-36.1-1 «NP V what S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **work** | present | deterrence |  |  |  | after a crime | well *property* | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The guard dog provides deterrence.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:x5:1
# text = The guard dog provides deterrence.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	guard	guard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	provides	provide	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	deterrence	deterrence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **provide** | present | the guard dog | deterrence |  |  |  |  | vn ensure-99 «NP V NP»: agent=Precondition deterrence=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Deterrence only works if people believe the threat.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:deterrence:x6:1
# text = Deterrence only works if people believe the threat.
1	Deterrence	deterrence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	only	only	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	works	work	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
6	believe	believe	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	threat	threat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work** | present | Deterrence |  |  |  |  |  | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **believe** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | people | the threat |  |  |  |  | vn admire-31.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer threat=Stimulus |

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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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