---
title: jail — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «jail» in the school dictionary: A jail is a building where people are locked up as punishment for crimes or while waiting for trial. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# jail

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** jail, place, you, old jail, prisoners, day · **What happens:** be, lock up, wait, jail, feel, not leave · **To what, where:** building, people, someone, jail, thief, board game · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A jail is a building where people are locked up as punishment for crimes or while waiting for trial.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:m1:1
# text = A jail is a building where people are locked up as punishment for crimes or while waiting for trial.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	jail	jail	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	building	building	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	9	advmod	_	_
7	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	locked	lock	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	acl:relcl	_	_
10	up	up	ADP	RP	_	9	compound:prt	_	_
11	as	as	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	punishment	punishment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	crimes	crime	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obl	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
16	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	17	mark	_	_
17	waiting	wait	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	14	conj	_	_
18	for	for	ADP	IN	_	19	case	_	_
19	trial	trial	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a jail | a building |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **lock up** | present · passive |  | people |  |  |  | as punishment; for crimes | vn tape-22.4 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |
| 3 | **wait** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | for trial | vn exist-47.1 «NP 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.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To jail someone is to put them in jail.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:m2:1
# text = To jail someone is to put them in jail.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	jail	jail	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	put	put	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	jail	jail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **jail** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | vn confine-92 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent someone=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  | jail |  | put *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Any place that feels like you cannot leave.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:m3:1
# text = Any place that feels like you cannot leave.
1	Any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
4	feels	feel	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl:relcl	_	_
5	like	like	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
7	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	9	advmod	_	_
9	leave	leave	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **feel** | present | any place |  |  |  |  |  | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Stimulus |
| 2 | **not** **leave** | can | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The thief was sent to jail.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:x1:1
# text = The thief was sent to jail.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	thief	thief	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	sent	send	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	jail	jail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **send** | past · passive |  | the thief |  | jail |  |  | vn confine-92-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: subject=Theme to jail=Destination |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the board game, you land on «Go to jail».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:x2:1
# text = In the board game, you land on «Go to jail».
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	board	board	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	game	game	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	land	land	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	on	on	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	Go	go	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	7	ccomp	_	_
11	to	to	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	jail	jail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **land** | present | you |  |  | the board game |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **go** *in a quote* | infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  | jail |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme to jail=Initial\_Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He was jailed for stealing cars.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:x3:1
# text = He was jailed for stealing cars.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	jailed	jail	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	stealing	steal	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	_
6	cars	car	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **jail** | past · passive |  | He |  |  |  |  | vn confine-92 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |
| 2 | **steal** | gerund |  | cars |  |  |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location car=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The old jail is now a museum.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:x4:1
# text = The old jail is now a museum.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	jail	jail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	now	now	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	7	advmod	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	museum	museum	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 | **is a** | present | the old jail | a museum |  |  | now |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The prisoners escaped from jail.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:x5:1
# text = The prisoners escaped from jail.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	prisoners	prisoner	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	escaped	escape	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	from	from	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	jail	jail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Being stuck indoors all day felt like jail.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:x6:1
# text = Being stuck indoors all day felt like jail.
1	Being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	aux:pass	_	_
2	stuck	stick	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	advcl	_	_
3	indoors	indoors	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	5	det	_	_
5	day	day	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	felt	feel	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	like	like	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	jail	jail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stick** | gerund · passive | all day *not said here* |  |  |  |  | indoors *property* | vn shake-22.3-2 «NP V ADV-Middle» |
| 2 | **feel** | past | all day |  |  |  |  | like jail | vn conjecture-29.5-2 «NP V S»: agent=Agent like jail=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He tried to protest, but the two officers clapped their paws on his mouth and hustled him away to jail.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:jail:x7:1
# text = He tried to protest, but the two officers clapped their paws on his mouth and hustled him away to jail.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	tried	try	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	protest	protest	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
6	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	officers	officer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	nsubj	_	_
10	clapped	clap	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
11	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	12	nmod:poss	_	_
12	paws	paw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obj	_	_
13	on	on	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	15	nmod:poss	_	_
15	mouth	mouth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	_
16	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	hustled	hustle	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
18	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	17	obj	_	_
19	away	away	ADV	RB	_	17	advmod	_	_
20	to	to	PART	TO	_	21	mark	_	_
21	jail	jail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | past | He |  |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **protest** *speech: disagree* *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | He *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn rebel-71.2-2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **clap** | past | the two officers | officers's paws |  | his mouth |  |  | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location paw=Theme |
| 4 | **hustle away** | past | He *not said here* | him *= he* |  |  |  | away *property* | vn bully-59.5 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent he=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 -->

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