---
title: potential — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «potential» in the school dictionary: adjective. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# potential

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Potential, that, ball, Wet floors, coach, They · **What happens:** be, store, stretch, mean, grow, lead · **To what, where:** energy energy, something, real, ability, potential energy, potential danger · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«potential» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 6 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: [potential in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/potential.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
adjective.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:m1:1
# text = adjective.
1	adjective	adjective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	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 -->
Potential means possible in the future, but not yet real.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:m1e:1
# text = Potential means possible in the future, but not yet real.
1	Potential	potential	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	possible	possible	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	future	future	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
8	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
9	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
10	yet	yet	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
11	real	real	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Potential | real |  |  |  | possible *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
noun.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:m2:1
# text = noun.
1	noun	noun	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	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 -->
Potential is the ability or talent that could grow and lead to success.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:m2e:1
# text = Potential is the ability or talent that could grow and lead to success.
1	Potential	potential	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	ability	ability	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	talent	talent	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj	_	_
8	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
9	grow	grow	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	parataxis	_	_
10	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	lead	lead	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	conj	_	_
12	to	to	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	success	success	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Potential | the ability or talent |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **grow** | could | that |  |  |  |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **lead** | infinitive | that *not said here* |  |  |  |  | to success | vn result-27.2 «NP V PP»: agent=Precondition to success=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Potential energy is energy stored in something because of its position or shape, like a stretched spring or a book on a high shelf.

<!-- fold The tree, 24 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:m3:1
# text = Potential energy is energy stored in something because of its position or shape, like a stretched spring or a book on a high shelf.
1	Potential	potential	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	energy	energy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	energy	energy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	stored	store	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obl	_	_
8	because	because	ADP	IN	ExtPos=ADP	11	case	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	fixed	_	_
10	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	position	position	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	shape	shape	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
15	like	like	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
16	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
17	stretched	stretch	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	18	amod	_	_
18	spring	spring	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	appos	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	21	cc	_	_
20	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
21	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	conj	_	_
22	on	on	ADP	IN	_	25	case	_	_
23	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	25	det	_	_
24	high	high	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	25	amod	_	_
25	shelf	shelf	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	21	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
26	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | energy energy |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **store** | participle |  | energy energy *not said here* |  | something |  | because energy's position or shape | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent in something=Location |
| 3 | **stretch** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn bend-45.2 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A ball on a high shelf has potential energy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:x1:1
# text = A ball on a high shelf has potential energy.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	high	high	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	shelf	shelf	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
7	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	potential	potential	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	energy	energy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | a ball on a high shelf | potential energy |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent energy=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wet floors are a potential danger.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:x2:1
# text = Wet floors are a potential danger.
1	Wet	wet	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	floors	floor	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	potential	potential	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	danger	danger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Wet floors | a potential danger |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The coach said she has the potential to be a champion.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:x3:1
# text = The coach said she has the potential to be a champion.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
5	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	potential	potential	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
9	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	cop	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	champion	champion	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the coach |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **have** | present | coach | the potential |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent potential=Patient |
| 3 | **is a** | to-infinitive | coach *not said here* | a champion |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
They talked to potential buyers of the house.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:x4:1
# text = They talked to potential buyers of the house.
1	They	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	talked	talk	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	potential	potential	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	buyers	buyer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **talk** | past | They |  |  |  |  | to potential buyers of the house | vn talk-37.5 «NP V PP.co-agent»: agent=Agent to buyer=Co-Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Work hard to reach your full potential.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:x5:1
# text = Work hard to reach your full potential.
1	Work	work	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	xcomp	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	reach	reach	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
5	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
6	full	full	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	potential	potential	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | hard *property* | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **reach** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | your full potential |  |  |  |  | vn body\_motion-49.2-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Agent potential=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The old barn has lots of potential.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:potential:x6:1
# text = The old barn has lots of potential.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	barn	barn	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	lots	lot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	potential	potential	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the old barn | lots of potential |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent lot=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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