---
title: gradually — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «gradually» in the school dictionary: Gradually means slowly, a little at a time, over a period, not all at once or suddenly. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# gradually

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** reading, My, sky, you, temperature, path · **What happens:** mean, melt, get, read, turn, add · **To what, where:** little, ice cube, sun., orange, flour, hill

<!-- .vabout -->
«gradually» in the school dictionary: its meaning for a pupil and its 8 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: [gradually in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/gradually.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Gradually means slowly, a little at a time, over a period, not all at once or suddenly.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:m1:1
# text = Gradually means slowly, a little at a time, over a period, not all at once or suddenly.
1	Gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	slowly	slowly	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	obj	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	over	over	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	period	period	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
15	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	16	advmod	_	_
16	all	all	ADV	RB	_	18	advmod	_	_
17	at	at	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
18	once	once	ADV	RB	NumForm=Word|NumType=Mult	13	advmod	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	suddenly	suddenly	ADV	RB	_	18	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present |  | a little |  |  |  | gradually, slowly *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent little=Topic |

<!-- .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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ice cube gradually melted in the sun.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x1:1
# text = The ice cube gradually melted in the sun.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	ice	ice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	cube	cube	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
4	gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	melted	melt	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	sun.	sun.	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **melt** | participle · passive |  | the ice cube |  | the sun. |  | gradually *property* | vn other\_cos-45.4-1 «NP V NP ADJ»: subject=Result |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My reading gradually got better with practice.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x2:1
# text = My reading gradually got better with practice.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	reading	reading	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	4	xcomp	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	practice	practice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | past | My reading |  |  |  |  | good, gradually *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **read** |  | My |  |  |  |  |  | nom reading «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The sky gradually turned from orange to dark blue.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x3:1
# text = The sky gradually turned from orange to dark blue.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	sky	sky	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	turned	turn	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	from	from	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	orange	orange	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	obl	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	dark	dark	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	blue	blue	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **turn** | past | the sky |  |  | orange |  | to dark blue *result*; gradually *property* | vn turn-26.6.1-1 «NP V PP.material PP.result»: agent=Agent from orange=Initial\_State to blue=Result |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Add the flour gradually and keep stirring.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x4:1
# text = Add the flour gradually and keep stirring.
1	Add	add	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	flour	flour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	_
7	stirring	stir	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **add** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* | the flour |  |  |  | gradually *property* | vn mix-22.1-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent flour=Patient |
| 2 | **keep** | infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **stir** | gerund | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The temperature gradually dropped during the night.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x5:1
# text = The temperature gradually dropped during the night.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	temperature	temperature	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	dropped	drop	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	during	during	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	night	night	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **drop** | past | the temperature |  |  |  | night | gradually *property* | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP.theme V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The path rose gradually up the hill.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x6:1
# text = The path rose gradually up the hill.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	path	path	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	rose	rise	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	up	up	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	hill	hill	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **rise** | past | the path |  |  | the hill |  | gradually *property* | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme up hill=Initial\_Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Gradually, the new boy made friends in the class.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x7:1
# text = Gradually, the new boy made friends in the class.
1	Gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	boy	boy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	friends	friend	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | the new boy | friends |  | the class |  | gradually *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent friend=Product |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It wound itself round the stem and gradually got higher and higher.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:gradually:x8:1
# text = It wound itself round the stem and gradually got higher and higher.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wound	woun	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	itself	itself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	2	obj	_	_
4	round	round	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	stem	stem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
8	gradually	gradually	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
10	higher	high	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	9	xcomp	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	higher	high	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **woun** | past | It | itself *= it* |  |  |  | round the stem | tree rules |
| 2 | **get** | past |  |  |  |  |  | gradually, high *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=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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