---
title: enable — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «enable» in the school dictionary: To enable means to make it possible for someone or something to do something. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# enable

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** them, Glasses, grandad, Wings, birds, you · **What happens:** enable, mean, make, do, turn on, help · **To what, where:** it, something, setting, computer, someone, them · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«enable» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [enable in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/enable.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To enable means to make it possible for someone or something to do something.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:m1:1
# text = To enable means to make it possible for someone or something to do something.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	enable	enable	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	csubj	_	_
3	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	obj	_	_
7	possible	possible	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	xcomp	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obl	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	9	conj	_	_
12	to	to	PART	TO	_	13	mark	_	_
13	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	acl	_	_
14	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **make** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | it |  |  |  | for someone; possible *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP PP.beneficiary»: agent=Agent it=Material for someone=Beneficiary |
| 4 | **do** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To enable a setting on a computer or phone means to turn it on.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:m2:1
# text = To enable a setting on a computer or phone means to turn it on.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	enable	enable	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	csubj	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	setting	setting	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
10	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	to	to	PART	TO	_	12	mark	_	_
12	turn	turn	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	xcomp	_	_
13	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	obj	_	_
14	on	on	ADP	RP	_	12	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | to-infinitive |  | a setting |  | a computer or phone |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **turn on** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | setting |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent it=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To enable someone can mean to help them keep doing something bad for them.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:m3:1
# text = To enable someone can mean to help them keep doing something bad for them.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	enable	enable	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	csubj	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	help	help	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	_
8	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	obj	_	_
9	keep	keep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	_
10	doing	do	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	xcomp	_	_
11	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	10	obj	_	_
12	bad	bad	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | can |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **help** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | them *= they* |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent they=Beneficiary clause=Theme |
| 4 | **keep** *not said to happen* | infinitive | them *= they* *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **do** | gerund | them *= they* *not said here* | something |  |  |  | for them *= they* | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Glasses enable my grandad to read.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:x1:1
# text = Glasses enable my grandad to read.
1	Glasses	glass	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	enable	enable	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	grandad	grandad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	read	read	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | present | Glasses | my grandad |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **read** | to-infinitive | my grandad *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wings enable birds to fly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:x2:1
# text = Wings enable birds to fly.
1	Wings	wing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	enable	enable	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	fly	fly	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | present | Wings | birds |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **fly** | to-infinitive | birds *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Enable Bluetooth to connect the speaker.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:x3:1
# text = Enable Bluetooth to connect the speaker.
1	Enable	enable	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	Bluetooth	Bluetooth	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	connect	connect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	xcomp	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	speaker	speaker	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | imperative | you *not said here* | Bluetooth |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **connect** | to-infinitive | Bluetooth *not said here* | the speaker |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent speaker=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ramp enables wheelchair users to get in.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:x4:1
# text = The ramp enables wheelchair users to get in.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ramp	ramp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	enables	enable	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	wheelchair	wheelchair	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	users	user	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
8	in	in	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | present | the ramp | wheelchair users |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **get in** | to-infinitive | the ramp *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Knowing the length and width enables you to find the area.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:x5:1
# text = Knowing the length and width enables you to find the area.
1	Knowing	know	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	csubj	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	length	length	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	width	width	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
6	enables	enable	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	find	find	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	area	area	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **know** | gerund |  | the length and width |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer length=Stimulus |
| 2 | **enable** | present | Knowing | you |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **find** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | the area |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent area=Topic |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Money from the fair enabled the school to buy books.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:x6:1
# text = Money from the fair enabled the school to buy books.
1	Money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	from	from	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	fair	fair	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
5	enabled	enable	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	buy	buy	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	advcl	_	_
10	books	book	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **enable** | past | Money from the fair | the school |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **buy** | to-infinitive | Money from the fair *not said here* | books |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent book=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
“But 'tis the air which enables thee to breathe,” said the poet's voice.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:enable:x7:1
# text = “But 'tis the air which enables thee to breathe,” said the poet's voice.
1	“	"	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	But	but	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
3	'	'	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	tis	ti	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	ccomp	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	air	air	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
8	enables	enable	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
9	thee	thou	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Style=Arch	8	obj	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	breathe	breathe	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	”	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
14	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
15	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	poet	poet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	's	's	PART	POS	_	16	case	_	_
18	voice	voice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	14	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ti** *in a quote* | present |  | the air |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **enable** *in a quote* | present | the air | thee |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **breathe** *in a quote* | to-infinitive | thee *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn breathe-40.1.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the poet's voice |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |

<!-- 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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