---
title: escalate — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «escalate» in the school dictionary: To become bigger, worse or more serious, as in «The argument escalated into a fight». Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# escalate

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** teacher, fighting, problem, you, 's, this · **What happens:** become, escalate, make, pass, step, tell · **To what, where:** argument, fight, something, problem, senior person, complaint · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To become bigger, worse or more serious, as in «The argument escalated into a fight».

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:m1:1
# text = To become bigger, worse or more serious, as in «The argument escalated into a fight».
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	become	become	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	bigger	big	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
5	worse	bad	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	3	conj	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	8	advmod	_	_
8	serious	serious	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
10	as	as	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
11	in	in	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
12	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	argument	argument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	parataxis	_	_
15	escalated	escalate	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	14	acl	_	_
16	into	into	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
17	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
18	fight	fight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **become** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | big *property* | vn become-109.1-1-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **escalate** *in a quote* | participle |  | the argument *not said here* |  | a fight |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

<!-- .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 make something bigger or more serious.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:m2:1
# text = To make something bigger or more serious.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	bigger	big	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	3	amod	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
6	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	7	advmod	_	_
7	serious	serious	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset something=Product |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To pass a problem to a more senior person, as in «escalate a complaint».

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:m3:1
# text = To pass a problem to a more senior person, as in «escalate a complaint».
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	pass	pass	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	14	advcl	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
7	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	8	advmod	_	_
8	senior	senior	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
11	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	14	mark	_	_
12	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	fixed	_	_
13	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	escalate	escalate	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	complaint	complaint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	14	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **pass** | to-infinitive |  | a problem | a senior person |  |  |  | vn give-13.1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: agent=Agent problem=Theme to person=Recipient |
| 2 | **escalate** *in a quote* | imperative |  | a complaint |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent complaint=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The small argument escalated into a shouting match.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:x1:1
# text = The small argument escalated into a shouting match.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	argument	argument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	escalated	escalate	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	acl	_	_
5	into	into	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	shouting	shouting	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	match	match	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **escalate** | participle |  | the small argument *not said here* |  | a shouting match |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prices escalated during the winter.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:x2:1
# text = Prices escalated during the winter.
1	Prices	price	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
2	escalated	escalate	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	acl	_	_
3	during	during	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	winter	winter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **escalate** | participle |  | Prices *not said here* |  |  | winter |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher stepped in before things escalated.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:x3:1
# text = The teacher stepped in before things escalated.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	stepped	step	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	before	before	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	_
7	escalated	escalate	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **step** | past | the teacher |  |  | things |  |  | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in thing=Trajectory |
| 2 | **escalate** | participle |  | things *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The fighting between the two countries escalated.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:x4:1
# text = The fighting between the two countries escalated.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fighting	fighting	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	between	between	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	countries	country	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	_
7	escalated	escalate	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **escalate** | past | the fighting between the two countries |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
If the problem escalates, tell an adult.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:x5:1
# text = If the problem escalates, tell an adult.
1	If	if	SCONJ	IN	_	4	mark	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	escalates	escalate	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	tell	tell	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	adult	adult	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **escalate** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | the problem |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **tell** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* |  | a adult |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent adult=Recipient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Let's calm down so this doesn't escalate.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:escalate:x6:1
# text = Let's calm down so this doesn't escalate.
1	Let	let	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	1	obj	_	_
3	calm	calm	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	xcomp	_	_
4	down	down	ADP	RP	_	3	compound:prt	_	_
5	so	so	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
6	this	this	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	9	nsubj	_	_
7	does	do	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	9	advmod	_	_
9	escalate	escalate	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **let** | imperative | you *not said here* | 's |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **calm down** | infinitive | 's *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn subjugate-42.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **not** **escalate** | present · do-support | this |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: 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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