---
title: preventative — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «preventative» in the school dictionary: Preventative means meant to stop something bad from happening before it starts, such as illness, damage or crime. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# preventative

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Preventative, Brushing, vet, Vaccines, We, Sun cream · **What happens:** mean, stop, happen, start, be, use · **To what, where:** something, problem, teeth, preventative measure, preventative treatment, dog · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Preventative means meant to stop something bad from happening before it starts, such as illness, damage or crime.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:m1:1
# text = Preventative means meant to stop something bad from happening before it starts, such as illness, damage or crime.
1	Preventative	preventative	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	meant	mean	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	ccomp	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	bad	bad	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
8	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
9	happening	happen	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
10	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
11	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
12	starts	start	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
14	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=ADP	16	case	_	_
15	as	as	ADP	IN	_	14	fixed	_	_
16	illness	illness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
18	damage	damage	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	crime	crime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Preventative |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **mean** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **stop** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V NP.eventuality»: agent=Subeventuality something=Eventuality |
| 4 | **happen** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | such illness and damage or crime | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 5 | **start** | present | Preventative |  |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |

<!-- .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 -->
A preventative is something used to prevent a problem, such as a medicine or treatment.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:m2:1
# text = A preventative is something used to prevent a problem, such as a medicine or treatment.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	preventative	preventative	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	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	prevent	prevent	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	advcl	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
11	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=ADP	14	case	_	_
12	as	as	ADP	IN	_	11	fixed	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	medicine	medicine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
16	treatment	treatment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	conj	_	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 preventative | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **prevent** | to-infinitive |  | a problem |  |  |  | such a medicine or treatment | vn forbid-64.4-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Causer problem=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Brushing your teeth is a preventative measure against tooth decay.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:x1:1
# text = Brushing your teeth is a preventative measure against tooth decay.
1	Brushing	brush	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	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	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	preventative	preventative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	measure	measure	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	against	against	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	tooth	tooth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	decay	decay	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 | **brush** | gerund |  | your teeth |  |  |  |  | vn spray-9.7-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent tooth=Theme |
| 2 | **is a** | present | Brushing | a preventative measure |  |  |  | against tooth decay | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The vet gave the dog a preventative treatment for fleas.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:x2:1
# text = The vet gave the dog a preventative treatment for fleas.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	vet	vet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	preventative	preventative	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	treatment	treatment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
9	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	fleas	flea	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | the vet | a preventative treatment | the dog |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent dog=Recipient treatment=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Vaccines are preventative medicine.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:x3:1
# text = Vaccines are preventative medicine.
1	Vaccines	vaccine	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	preventative	preventative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	medicine	medicine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We took preventative steps and tied down the trampoline before the storm.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:x4:1
# text = We took preventative steps and tied down the trampoline before the storm.
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	preventative	preventative	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	steps	step	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	tied	tie	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	conj	_	_
7	down	down	ADP	RP	_	6	compound:prt	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	trampoline	trampoline	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
10	before	before	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	storm	storm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | past | We | preventative steps |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent step=Theme |
| 2 | **tie down** | participle | We *not said here* | the trampoline |  |  | before the storm |  | vn mix-22.1-2 «NP V ADVP-Middle»: agent=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sun cream is a preventative against sunburn.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:x5:1
# text = Sun cream is a preventative against sunburn.
1	Sun	Sun	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	cream	cream	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	preventative	preventative	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	against	against	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	sunburn	sunburn	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Sun cream | a preventative |  |  |  | against sunburn | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Regular check-ups are preventative care.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:preventative:x6:1
# text = Regular check-ups are preventative care.
1	Regular	regular	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
2	check	check	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	ups	up	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
5	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	preventative	preventative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	care	care	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 | Regular check ups | preventative care |  |  |  |  | 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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