---
title: prevailing — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «prevailing» in the school dictionary: Prevailing means most common or strongest at a certain time or place. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# prevailing

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** prevailing wind, wind, Trees, prevailing view, Good sense, Sailors · **What happens:** prevail, mean, be, blow, win, lean away · **To what, where:** wind, form, end, prevailing wind, race, prevailing conditions

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prevailing means most common or strongest at a certain time or place.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:m1:1
# text = Prevailing means most common or strongest at a certain time or place.
1	Prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	most	most	ADV	RBS	Degree=Sup	4	advmod	_	_
4	common	common	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	strongest	strong	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	4	obl	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	certain	certain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  | common *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The prevailing wind is the wind that blows most often from one direction in a place.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:m2:1
# text = The prevailing wind is the wind that blows most often from one direction in a place.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	amod	_	_
3	wind	wind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	wind	wind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
8	blows	blow	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
9	most	most	ADV	RBS	Degree=Sup	10	advmod	_	_
10	often	often	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
11	from	from	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	13	nummod	_	_
13	direction	direction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	_
14	in	in	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **is a** | present | the prevailing wind | the wind |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **blow** | present | the wind |  |  |  |  | in a place; from one direction; often *property* | vn split-23.2 «NP V PP.co-patient»: agent=Patient from direction=Co-Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prevailing is also a form of prevail, meaning winning in the end.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:m3:1
# text = Prevailing is also a form of prevail, meaning winning in the end.
1	Prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	also	also	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	form	form	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	prevail	prevail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	meaning	mean	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
10	winning	win	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	xcomp	_	_
11	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **is a** | present |  | a form |  |  |  | of prevail | tree rules |
| 3 | **mean** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 4 | **win** *not said to happen* | gerund |  |  |  |  | in the end |  | vn succeed-74-2 «NP V PP.eventuality S\_ING»: agent=Agent in end=Eventuality |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The prevailing wind here blows from the west.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x1:1
# text = The prevailing wind here blows from the west.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	amod	_	_
3	wind	wind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	here	here	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	3	advmod	_	_
5	blows	blow	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	from	from	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	west	west	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **blow** | present | the prevailing wind |  |  |  |  | from the west | vn split-23.2 «NP V PP.co-patient»: agent=Patient from west=Co-Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Trees lean away from the prevailing wind.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x2:1
# text = Trees lean away from the prevailing wind.
1	Trees	tree	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	lean	lean	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	away	away	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	from	from	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	amod	_	_
7	wind	wind	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 | **lean away** | present | Trees |  |  | the prevailing wind |  | away *property* | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Under the prevailing conditions, the race was cancelled.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x3:1
# text = Under the prevailing conditions, the race was cancelled.
1	Under	under	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	amod	_	_
4	conditions	condition	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	race	race	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	cancelled	cancel	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **cancel** | past · passive |  | the race |  | the prevailing conditions |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The prevailing view is that homework helps.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x4:1
# text = The prevailing view is that homework helps.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	amod	_	_
3	view	view	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
6	homework	homework	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
7	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present | the prevailing view |  |  |  |  | help *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Good sense is prevailing at last.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x5:1
# text = Good sense is prevailing at last.
1	Good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	sense	sense	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	last	last	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | present · progressive | Good sense |  |  | last |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme at last=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sailors used the prevailing winds to cross the ocean.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x6:1
# text = Sailors used the prevailing winds to cross the ocean.
1	Sailors	sailor	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	used	use	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	amod	_	_
5	winds	wind	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	cross	cross	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	ocean	ocean	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | past | Sailors | the prevailing winds |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent wind=Patient |
| 2 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **cross** | to-infinitive | Sailors *not said here* | the ocean |  |  |  |  | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent ocean=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The prevailing weather is wet and mild.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x7:1
# text = The prevailing weather is wet and mild.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	amod	_	_
3	weather	weather	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	wet	wet	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	mild	mild	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present | the prevailing weather |  |  |  |  | wet *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **be** |  | the prevailing weather *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Kindness prevailing over anger is the moral of the story.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevailing:x8:1
# text = Kindness prevailing over anger is the moral of the story.
1	Kindness	kindness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
2	prevailing	prevail	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	1	acl	_	_
3	over	over	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	anger	anger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	moral	moral	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevail** | gerund | Kindness *not said here* |  |  | anger |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme over anger=Location |
| 2 | **is a** | present | Kindness | the moral |  |  |  | of the story | 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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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