---
title: prevent — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «prevent» in the school dictionary: To prevent something means to stop it from happening. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prevent/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/) / prevent

# prevent

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Washing, Sun cream, Brushing, rain, Fences, Smoke alarms · **What happens:** prevent, mean, stop, happen, do, wash · **To what, where:** something, it, someone, them, hands, spread · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«prevent» in the school dictionary: its 2 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: [prevent in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/prevent.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To prevent something means to stop it from happening.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:m1:1
# text = To prevent something means to stop it from happening.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	prevent	prevent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	csubj	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	ccomp	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
9	happening	happen	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevent** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer something=Theme |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **stop** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | it |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V NP.eventuality»: agent=Subeventuality it=Eventuality |
| 4 | **happen** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | 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.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To prevent someone from doing something means to stop them doing it.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:m2:1
# text = To prevent someone from doing something means to stop them doing it.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	prevent	prevent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	csubj	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	doing	do	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	ccomp	_	_
10	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	obj	_	_
11	doing	do	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	xcomp	_	_
12	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevent** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer someone=Theme |
| 2 | **do** | gerund |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |
| 3 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 4 | **stop** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | them *= they* |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **do** | gerund |  | it |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Eventuality |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of germs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x1:1
# text = Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of germs.
1	Washing	wash	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	csubj	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	hands	hand	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	prevent	prevent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	spread	spread	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	germs	germ	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wash** | gerund |  | your hands |  |  |  |  | vn floss-41.2.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hand=Patient |
| 2 | **help** | present | Washing |  |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 3 | **prevent** | infinitive | Washing *not said here* | the spread of germs |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer spread=Theme |
| 4 | **spread** |  |  | germs |  |  |  |  | nom spread «event transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sun cream can prevent sunburn.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x2:1
# text = Sun cream can prevent sunburn.
1	Sun	Sun	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	cream	cream	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	prevent	prevent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	sunburn	sunburn	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevent** | can | Sun cream | sunburn |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer sunburn=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Brushing your teeth prevents tooth decay.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x3:1
# text = Brushing your teeth prevents tooth decay.
1	Brushing	brush	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	4	csubj	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	teeth	tooth	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	prevents	prevent	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	tooth	tooth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	decay	decay	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **brush** | gerund |  | your teeth |  |  |  |  | vn spray-9.7-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent tooth=Theme |
| 2 | **prevent** | present | Brushing | tooth decay |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer decay=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rain prevented us from playing outside.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x4:1
# text = The rain prevented us from playing outside.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	prevented	prevent	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	obj	_	_
5	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	playing	play	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	_
7	outside	outside	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevent** | past | the rain | us |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer we=Theme |
| 2 | **play** | gerund | the rain *not said here* |  |  |  |  | outside *property* | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Fences prevent children from falling into the pool.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x5:1
# text = Fences prevent children from falling into the pool.
1	Fences	fence	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	prevent	prevent	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	falling	fall	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
6	into	into	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	pool	pool	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevent** | present | Fences | children |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer child=Theme |
| 2 | **fall** | gerund | Fences *not said here* |  |  |  |  | into the pool *result* | vn become-109.1-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient into pool=Result |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Smoke alarms help prevent deaths in fires.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x6:1
# text = Smoke alarms help prevent deaths in fires.
1	Smoke	smoke	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	alarms	alarm	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	help	help	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	prevent	prevent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
5	deaths	death	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	fires	fire	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | present | Smoke alarms |  |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 2 | **prevent** | infinitive | Smoke alarms *not said here* | deaths |  | fires |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer death=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The goalkeeper prevented a goal.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x7:1
# text = The goalkeeper prevented a goal.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	goalkeeper	goalkeeper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	prevented	prevent	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	goal	goal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **prevent** | past | the goalkeeper | a goal |  |  |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer goal=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
What could we do to prevent accidents in the playground?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prevent:x8:1
# text = What could we do to prevent accidents in the playground?
1	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	4	obj	_	_
2	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	prevent	prevent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	advcl	_	_
7	accidents	accident	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	playground	playground	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **do** | could | we |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent what=Eventuality |
| 2 | **prevent** | to-infinitive | we *not said here* | accidents |  | the playground |  |  | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer accident=Theme |

<!-- 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 -->
- ← previous: [prevalent](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prevalent/)
- next →: [preventable](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preventable/)
- ↑ back to [P in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/)