---
title: precaution — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «precaution» in the school dictionary: A precaution is something you do in advance to stop something bad or dangerous from happening. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# precaution

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** precaution, you, We, Wearing, school, Washing · **What happens:** be, do, stop, happen, wear, take · **To what, where:** something, advance, goggles, umbrella, helmet, sensible precaution

<!-- .vabout -->
«precaution» in the school dictionary: its meaning for a pupil and its 8 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: [precaution in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/precaution.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A precaution is something you do in advance to stop something bad or dangerous from happening.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:m1:1
# text = A precaution is something you do in advance to stop something bad or dangerous from happening.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	precaution	precaution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	0	root	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	do	do	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	advance	advance	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
9	to	to	PART	TO	_	10	mark	_	_
10	stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
11	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	10	obj	_	_
12	bad	bad	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	dangerous	dangerous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	conj	_	_
15	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	16	mark	_	_
16	happening	happen	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	14	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a precaution | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **do** | present | you |  |  | advance |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **stop** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V NP.eventuality»: agent=Subeventuality something=Eventuality |
| 4 | **happen** | gerund | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wear goggles as a precaution in the science lab.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x1:1
# text = Wear goggles as a precaution in the science lab.
1	Wear	wear	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	goggles	goggle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
3	as	as	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	precaution	precaution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	science	science	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	lab	lab	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | imperative | you *not said here* | goggles |  |  |  | as a precaution in the science lab | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent goggle=Source |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We took an umbrella as a precaution.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x2:1
# text = We took an umbrella as a precaution.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	took	take	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	umbrella	umbrella	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	as	as	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	precaution	precaution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | past | We | a umbrella |  |  |  | as a precaution | vn characterize-29.2 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent umbrella=Theme as precaution=Attribute |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wearing a helmet is a sensible precaution when cycling.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x3:1
# text = Wearing a helmet is a sensible precaution when cycling.
1	Wearing	wear	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	csubj	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	helmet	helmet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	sensible	sensible	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	precaution	precaution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	9	advmod	_	_
9	cycling	cycle	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | gerund |  | a helmet |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent helmet=Theme |
| 2 | **is a** | present | Wearing | a sensible precaution |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **cycle** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn vehicle-51.4.1-1 «NP.theme V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The school practises fire drills as a safety precaution.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x4:1
# text = The school practises fire drills as a safety precaution.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	practises	practise	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	drills	drill	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	as	as	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	safety	safety	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	precaution	precaution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **practise** | present | the school | fire drills |  |  |  | as a safety precaution | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
As a precaution, the beach was closed during the storm.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x5:1
# text = As a precaution, the beach was closed during the storm.
1	As	as	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	precaution	precaution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	beach	beach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj:pass	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux:pass	_	_
8	closed	close	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
9	during	during	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	storm	storm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **close** | past · passive |  | the beach |  |  | during the storm | as a precaution | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Washing hands is a simple precaution against germs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x6:1
# text = Washing hands is a simple precaution against germs.
1	Washing	wash	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	csubj	_	_
2	hands	hand	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	simple	simple	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	precaution	precaution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	against	against	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	germs	germ	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wash** | gerund |  | hands |  |  |  |  | vn floss-41.2.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hand=Patient |
| 2 | **is a** | present | Washing | a simple precaution |  |  |  | against germs | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Take all safety precautions before using the oven.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x7:1
# text = Take all safety precautions before using the oven.
1	Take	take	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	4	det	_	_
3	safety	safety	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	precautions	precaution	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
5	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	using	use	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	advcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	oven	oven	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | imperative | you *not said here* | all safety precautions |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent precaution=Theme |
| 2 | **use** | gerund | you *not said here* | the oven |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent oven=Patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He knew very well what that meant; but he had taken his precautions and was not afraid.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:precaution:x8:1
# text = He knew very well what that meant; but he had taken his precautions and was not afraid.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	knew	know	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	very	very	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	5	advmod	_	_
5	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	2	obj	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	7	nsubj	_	_
7	meant	mean	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
9	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
10	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
11	had	have	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux	_	_
12	taken	take	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	2	parataxis	_	_
13	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	14	nmod:poss	_	_
14	precautions	precaution	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	obj	_	_
15	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
16	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	18	cop	_	_
17	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	18	advmod	_	_
18	afraid	afraid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **know** | past | He |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer what=Stimulus |
| 2 | **mean** | past |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **take** | past · perfect | he | his precautions |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent precaution=Theme |
| 4 | **not** **is** | past | he *not said here* |  |  |  |  | afraid *property* | tree rules |

<!-- 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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