---
title: grasp — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «grasp» in the school dictionary: To take and hold something tightly. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# grasp

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** She, He, you, Victory, baby, It · **What happens:** take, hold, understand, grasp, get, keep · **To what, where:** something, maths, Reach, rope, idea, tight grasp · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«grasp» in the school dictionary: its 5 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: [grasp in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/grasp.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To take and hold something tightly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m1:1
# text = To take and hold something tightly.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	take	take	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	hold	hold	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	_
6	tightly	tightly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **hold** | infinitive |  | something |  |  |  | tightly *property* | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Theme |

<!-- .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.

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She grasped the rope.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m1e:1
# text = She grasped the rope.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	grasped	grasp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	rope	rope	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grasp** | past | She | the rope |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer rope=Stimulus |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To understand something, especially something hard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m2:1
# text = To understand something, especially something hard.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	understand	understand	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
5	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	3	appos	_	_
7	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **understand** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer something=Stimulus |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He quickly grasped the idea.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m2e:1
# text = He quickly grasped the idea.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	quickly	quickly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	grasped	grasp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grasp** | past | He | the idea |  |  |  | quickly *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer idea=Stimulus |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A firm hold.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m3:1
# text = A firm hold.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	firm	firm	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	hold	hold	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Keep a tight grasp on the rail.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m3e:1
# text = Keep a tight grasp on the rail.
1	Keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	tight	tight	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	grasp	grasp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	rail	rail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | imperative | you *not said here* | a tight grasp |  | the rail |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent grasp=Theme on rail=Location |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Understanding: a good grasp of maths.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m4:1
# text = Understanding: a good grasp of maths.
1	Understanding	understanding	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	5	punct	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	grasp	grasp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	appos	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	maths	math	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grasp** |  |  | maths |  |  |  |  | nom grasp «cognition transitive»: of=patient |

## Meaning 5 {#m5}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Reach; how close something is to being got.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m5:1
# text = Reach; how close something is to being got.
1	Reach	reach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
3	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	4	advmod	_	_
4	close	close	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	conj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
8	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	got	get	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | present · progressive · passive |  | Reach |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Stimulus |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Victory was within our grasp.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:m5e:1
# text = Victory was within our grasp.
1	Victory	victory	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	within	within	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	grasp	grasp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | Victory |  |  |  |  | within our grasp | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grasp the handrail as you go down the stairs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:x1:1
# text = Grasp the handrail as you go down the stairs.
1	Grasp	grasp	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	handrail	handrail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	go	go	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	advcl	_	_
7	down	down	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	stairs	stair	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grasp** | imperative | you *not said here* | the handrail |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer handrail=Stimulus |
| 2 | **go down** | present | you | the stairs |  |  |  |  | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.patient V NP.extent PP.source PP.goal»: agent=Patient stair=Extent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The baby grasped my finger.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:x2:1
# text = The baby grasped my finger.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	baby	baby	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	grasped	grasp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	finger	finger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grasp** | past | the baby | my finger |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer finger=Stimulus |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It took me a while to grasp long division.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:x3:1
# text = It took me a while to grasp long division.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	took	take	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	iobj	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	while	while	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	grasp	grasp	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
8	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	division	division	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | past | It |  | me |  | while |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP ADVP»: agent=Instrument i=Destination |
| 2 | **grasp** | to-infinitive |  | long division |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer division=Stimulus |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She has a good grasp of French.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:x4:1
# text = She has a good grasp of French.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	grasp	grasp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	French	French	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | She | a good grasp of French |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent grasp=Patient |
| 2 | **grasp** |  |  | French |  |  |  |  | nom grasp «cognition transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ball slipped from his grasp.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:x5:1
# text = The ball slipped from his grasp.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	slipped	slip	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	from	from	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	grasp	grasp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **slip** | past | the ball |  |  |  |  | from his grasp | vn split-23.2 «NP V PP.co-patient»: agent=Patient from grasp=Co-Patient |
| 2 | **grasp** |  | his *= he* |  |  |  |  |  | nom grasp «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Winning the cup was within our grasp.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:x6:1
# text = Winning the cup was within our grasp.
1	Winning	win	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	csubj	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	cup	cup	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	within	within	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	grasp	grasp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **win** | gerund |  | the cup |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cup=Eventuality |
| 2 | **is** | past | Winning |  |  |  |  | within our grasp | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Stay, foolish youth," said Medea, grasping his arm.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:grasp:x7:1
# text = "Stay, foolish youth," said Medea, grasping his arm.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Stay	stay	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
4	foolish	foolish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	youth	youth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
8	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	Medea	Medea	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	grasping	grasp	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	advcl	_	_
12	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	13	nmod:poss	_	_
13	arm	arm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stay** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | foolish youth |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | Medea |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **grasp** | gerund | Medea *not said here* | Medea's arm |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer arm=Stimulus |

<!-- 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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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