---
title: impede — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «impede» in the school dictionary: To impede someone or something is to get in the way and slow it down or make it harder to happen or move. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# impede

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** way, Fallen trees, Talking, Friction, Nothing, Bad weather · **What happens:** impede, be, slow down, make, happen, move · **To what, where:** someone, way, rescue workers, class, movement, box

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To impede someone or something is to get in the way and slow it down or make it harder to happen or move.

<!-- fold The tree, 23 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:m1:1
# text = To impede someone or something is to get in the way and slow it down or make it harder to happen or move.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	impede	impede	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	advcl	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	3	conj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	get	get	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	slow	slow	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	8	conj	_	_
14	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	obj	_	_
15	down	down	ADP	RP	_	13	compound:prt	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	13	conj	_	_
18	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	17	obj	_	_
19	harder	hard	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	17	xcomp	_	_
20	to	to	PART	TO	_	21	mark	_	_
21	happen	happen	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	19	xcomp	_	_
22	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	23	cc	_	_
23	move	move	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	21	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impede** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer someone=Eventuality |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  | the way |  | get *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **slow down** | infinitive |  | way |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent it=Patient |
| 4 | **make** | infinitive |  | way |  |  |  | hard *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset it=Product |
| 5 | **happen** | to-infinitive | way *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 6 | **move** | infinitive | way *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP.theme V»: agent=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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Fallen trees impeded the rescue workers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:x1:1
# text = Fallen trees impeded the rescue workers.
1	Fallen	fall	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	amod	_	_
2	trees	tree	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	impeded	impede	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	rescue	rescue	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	workers	worker	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fall** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **impede** | past | Fallen trees | the rescue workers |  |  |  |  | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer worker=Eventuality |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Heavy snow impeded traffic all morning.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:x2:1
# text = Heavy snow impeded traffic all morning.
1	Heavy	heavy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	snow	snow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	impeded	impede	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	amod	_	_
4	traffic	traffic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	6	det	_	_
6	morning	morning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impede** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Causer |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Talking in class impedes learning.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:x3:1
# text = Talking in class impedes learning.
1	Talking	talk	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	csubj	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
4	impedes	impede	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	learning	learn	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **talk** | gerund |  |  |  | class |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **impede** | present | Talking |  |  |  |  |  | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Causer clause=Eventuality |
| 3 | **learn** | gerund | Talking *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn learn-14-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Friction impedes the movement of the box.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:x4:1
# text = Friction impedes the movement of the box.
1	Friction	friction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	impedes	impede	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	movement	movement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	box	box	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impede** | present | Friction | the movement of the box |  |  |  |  | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer movement=Eventuality |
| 2 | **move** |  |  | the box |  |  |  |  | nom movement «act transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Nothing should impede the fire exit.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:x5:1
# text = Nothing should impede the fire exit.
1	Nothing	nothing	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Neg	3	nsubj	_	_
2	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	impede	impede	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	exit	exit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impede** | should | Nothing | the fire exit |  |  |  |  | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer exit=Eventuality |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Bad weather impeded the search for the boat.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:x6:1
# text = Bad weather impeded the search for the boat.
1	Bad	bad	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	weather	weather	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	impeded	impede	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	search	search	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	boat	boat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impede** | past | Bad weather | the search |  |  |  | for the boat | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer search=Eventuality |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the van, on all fours, is Great Big Little Panther, a brave of so many scalps that in his present position they somewhat impede his progress.

<!-- fold The tree, 27 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impede:x7:1
# text = In the van, on all fours, is Great Big Little Panther, a brave of so many scalps that in his present position they somewhat impede his progress.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	van	van	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	7	det	_	_
7	fours	four	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
10	Great	great	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
11	Big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
12	Little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	Panther	panther	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	brave	brave	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
17	of	of	ADP	IN	_	20	case	_	_
18	so	so	ADV	RB	_	19	advmod	_	_
19	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	amod	_	_
20	scalps	scalp	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	16	obl	_	_
21	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	28	nsubj	_	_
22	in	in	ADP	IN	_	25	case	_	_
23	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	25	nmod:poss	_	_
24	present	present	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	25	amod	_	_
25	position	position	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	28	obl	_	_
26	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	28	nsubj	_	_
27	somewhat	somewhat	ADV	RB	_	28	advmod	_	_
28	impede	impede	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	20	acl:relcl	_	_
29	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	30	nmod:poss	_	_
30	progress	progress	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	28	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
31	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	13	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | Great Big Little Panther |  | the van and all fours |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **impede** | present | many scalps | his progress |  | his present position |  | somewhat *property* | vn discourage-64.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer progress=Eventuality |
| 3 | **progress** |  | his *= he* |  |  |  |  |  | nom progress «act intransitive»: poss=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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