---
title: impairment — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «impairment» in the school dictionary: An impairment is a problem with part of the body or mind that makes it work less well, as in «hearing impairment» or «visual impairment». Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/impairment/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/) / impairment

# impairment

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** impairment, that, friend, Braille, Ramps, Alcohol · **What happens:** be, make, work, hear, damage, weaken · **To what, where:** problem, impairment, state, hearing impairment, hearing aids, people

<!-- .vabout -->
«impairment» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 5 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: [impairment in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/impairment.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An impairment is a problem with part of the body or mind that makes it work less well, as in «hearing impairment» or «visual impairment».

<!-- fold The tree, 25 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impairment:m1:1
# text = An impairment is a problem with part of the body or mind that makes it work less well, as in «hearing impairment» or «visual impairment».
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	impairment	impairment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	part	part	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	mind	mind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
13	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	14	nsubj	_	_
14	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
15	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	obj	_	_
16	work	work	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	14	xcomp	_	_
17	less	less	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	18	advmod	_	_
18	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	16	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	23	punct	_	_
20	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	23	mark	_	_
21	in	in	SCONJ	IN	_	23	mark	_	_
22	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	23	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	hearing	hear	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	16	advcl	_	_
24	impairment	impairment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	23	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	24	punct	_	_
26	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	29	cc	_	_
27	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	29	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
28	visual	visual	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	29	amod	_	_
29	impairment	impairment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	24	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
30	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	29	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
31	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a impairment | a problem |  |  |  | with part of the body or mind | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | present | that | impairment |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **work** | infinitive | impairment *not said here* |  |  |  |  | well *property* | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **hear** *in a quote* | gerund | impairment *not said here* | impairment or visual impairment |  |  |  |  | vn see-30.1-1-1 «NP V S»: agent=Experiencer impairment=Stimulus |

<!-- .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 -->
Impairment is the state of being damaged or weakened.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impairment:m2:1
# text = Impairment is the state of being damaged or weakened.
1	Impairment	impairment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	state	state	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
6	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	aux:pass	_	_
7	damaged	damage	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	weakened	weaken	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Impairment | the state |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **damage** | gerund · passive |  | the state *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn destroy-44 «NP V NP» |
| 3 | **weaken** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My friend has a hearing impairment and uses hearing aids.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impairment:x1:1
# text = My friend has a hearing impairment and uses hearing aids.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	friend	friend	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	hearing	hearing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	impairment	impairment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	uses	use	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
9	hearing	hearing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	aids	aid	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | My friend | a hearing impairment |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent impairment=Patient |
| 2 | **use** | present | My friend *not said here* | hearing aids |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent aid=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Braille helps people with a visual impairment to read.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impairment:x2:1
# text = Braille helps people with a visual impairment to read.
1	Braille	braille	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	visual	visual	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	impairment	impairment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	read	read	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | present | Braille |  | people |  |  | with a visual impairment | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent people=Beneficiary with impairment=Theme |
| 2 | **read** | to-infinitive | Braille *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Some impairments cannot be seen.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impairment:x3:1
# text = Some impairments cannot be seen.
1	Some	some	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	impairments	impairment	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	6	advmod	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	aux:pass	_	_
6	seen	see	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **see** | can · passive |  | some impairments |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Stimulus |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ramps help people with mobility impairments.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impairment:x4:1
# text = Ramps help people with mobility impairments.
1	Ramps	ramp	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	help	help	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	mobility	mobility	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	impairments	impairment	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | present | Ramps |  | people |  |  | with mobility impairments | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent people=Beneficiary with impairment=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Alcohol causes impairment of judgement (for adults).

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impairment:x5:1
# text = Alcohol causes impairment of judgement (for adults).
1	Alcohol	alcohol	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	causes	cause	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	impairment	impairment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	judgement	judgement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
6	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	adults	adult	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cause** | present | Alcohol | impairment of judgement |  |  |  |  | vn engender-27.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Precondition impairment=Patient |
| 2 | **impair** |  |  | judgement |  |  |  |  | nom impairment «event transitive»: of=patient |

<!-- 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 -->
- ← previous: [impaired](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/impaired/)
- next →: [impart](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/impart/)
- ↑ back to [I in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/)