---
title: grapple — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «grapple» in the school dictionary: To fight with someone by holding and struggling with them. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# grapple

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** two wrestlers, police officer, Scientists, Toad, pirates, He · **What happens:** fight, hold, struggle, work, understand, deal · **To what, where:** hook, something, grappling hook, mat, Pupils, hooks · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To fight with someone by holding and struggling with them.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:m1:1
# text = To fight with someone by holding and struggling with them.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	fight	fight	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	with	with	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obl	_	_
5	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	holding	hold	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	acl	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	struggling	struggle	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	conj	_	_
9	with	with	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fight** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | with someone | vn battle-36.4-1 «NP V PP.co-agent»: agent=Agent with someone=Co-Agent |
| 2 | **hold** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **struggle** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | with them *= they* | vn battle-36.4 «NP V PP.co-agent»: agent=Agent with they=Co-Agent |

<!-- .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: grapple with — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To work hard to understand or deal with a difficult problem.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:m2:1
# text = To work hard to understand or deal with a difficult problem.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	work	work	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	understand	understand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	deal	deal	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	conj	_	_
8	with	with	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	difficult	difficult	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | hard *property* | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **understand** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |
| 3 | **deal** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | with a difficult problem | vn cope-83 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent with problem=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A hook used to grab or hold something, also called a grappling hook.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:m3:1
# text = A hook used to grab or hold something, also called a grappling hook.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	hook	hook	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	grab	grab	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	hold	hold	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	conj	_	_
8	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
10	also	also	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
11	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	acl	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
13	grappling	grappling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	compound	_	_
14	hook	hook	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | participle |  | a hook *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **grab** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn steal-10.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **hold** | infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Theme |
| 4 | **call** | participle |  | a grappling hook |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The two wrestlers grappled on the mat.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:x1:1
# text = The two wrestlers grappled on the mat.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	wrestlers	wrestler	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	grappled	grapple	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	mat	mat	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 | **grapple** | past | the two wrestlers |  |  | the mat |  |  | vn cope-83-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Pupils grappled with the tricky word problem.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:x2:1
# text = Pupils grappled with the tricky word problem.
1	Pupils	pupil	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
2	grappled	grapple	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	acl	_	_
3	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	tricky	tricky	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grapple** | participle |  | Pupils *not said here* |  |  |  | with the tricky word problem | vn cope-83-1-1 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent with problem=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The police officer grappled with the thief.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:x3:1
# text = The police officer grappled with the thief.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	police	police	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	officer	officer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	grappled	grapple	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	thief	thief	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 | **grapple** | past | the police officer |  |  |  |  | with the thief | vn cope-83-1-1 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent with thief=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Scientists are grappling with the problem of climate change.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:x4:1
# text = Scientists are grappling with the problem of climate change.
1	Scientists	scientist	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	grappling	grapple	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	climate	climate	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	change	change	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grapple** | present · progressive | Scientists |  |  |  |  | with the problem of climate change | vn cope-83-1-1 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent with problem=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Toad grappled with the barge-woman, but she was too strong for him.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:x5:1
# text = Toad grappled with the barge-woman, but she was too strong for him.
1	Toad	Toad	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	grappled	grapple	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	barge	barge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	woman	woman	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
9	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
10	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
11	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
12	too	too	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
13	strong	strong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	conj	_	_
14	for	for	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grapple** | past | Toad |  |  |  |  | with the barge woman | vn cope-83-1-1 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent with woman=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | past | Toad |  |  |  |  | for him *= he*; strong *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The pirates threw grappling hooks onto the ship.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:x6:1
# text = The pirates threw grappling hooks onto the ship.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	pirates	pirate	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	threw	throw	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	grappling	grapple	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	xcomp	_	_
5	hooks	hook	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	onto	onto	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	ship	ship	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 | **throw** | past | the pirates |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **grapple** | gerund | the pirates *not said here* | hooks |  | the ship |  |  | vn cope-83-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hook=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He clutched my collar and we grappled in a death struggle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grapple:x7:1
# text = He clutched my collar and we grappled in a death struggle.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	clutched	clutch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	collar	collar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
6	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	grappled	grapple	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	death	death	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	struggle	struggle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **clutch** | past | He | my collar |  |  |  |  | vn hold-15.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent collar=Theme |
| 2 | **grapple** | past | we |  |  | a death struggle |  |  | vn cope-83-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- 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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