---
title: pulley — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «pulley» in the school dictionary: A pulley is a simple machine made of a wheel with a groove that a rope or chain runs over, used to lift heavy things more easily. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# pulley

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** pulley, rope, We, flag, crane, you · **What happens:** be, make, run over, use, lift, go up · **To what, where:** simple machine, groove, heavy things, pulley, bucket, pole

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A pulley is a simple machine made of a wheel with a groove that a rope or chain runs over, used to lift heavy things more easily.

<!-- fold The tree, 27 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:m1:1
# text = A pulley is a simple machine made of a wheel with a groove that a rope or chain runs over, used to lift heavy things more easily.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	pulley	pulley	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
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	machine	machine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	acl	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	wheel	wheel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
11	with	with	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	groove	groove	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	_
14	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	19	obl	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	rope	rope	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	nsubj	_	_
17	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
18	chain	chain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	_
19	runs	run	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	acl:relcl	_	_
20	over	over	ADV	RB	_	19	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	22	punct	_	_
22	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	parataxis	_	_
23	to	to	PART	TO	_	24	mark	_	_
24	lift	lift	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	22	xcomp	_	_
25	heavy	heavy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	26	amod	_	_
26	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	24	obj	_	_
27	more	more	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	28	advmod	_	_
28	easily	easily	ADV	RB	_	24	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
29	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a pulley | a simple machine |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | participle |  | a simple machine *not said here* |  |  |  | of a wheel with a groove | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset |
| 3 | **run over** | present | a rope or chain | a groove |  |  |  | over *property* | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 4 | **use** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 5 | **lift** | to-infinitive |  | heavy things |  |  |  | easily *property* | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent thing=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 -->
We used a pulley to lift the bucket.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x1:1
# text = We used a pulley to lift the bucket.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	used	use	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	pulley	pulley	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	lift	lift	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	bucket	bucket	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | past | We | a pulley |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pulley=Patient |
| 2 | **lift** | to-infinitive | We *not said here* | the bucket |  |  |  |  | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bucket=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The flag goes up the pole with a pulley.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x2:1
# text = The flag goes up the pole with a pulley.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	flag	flag	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	goes	go	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	up	up	ADP	RP	_	3	compound:prt	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	pole	pole	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	pulley	pulley	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 | **go up** | present | the flag | the pole |  |  |  | with a pulley | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.patient V NP.extent PP.source PP.goal»: agent=Patient pole=Extent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A crane uses pulleys to lift heavy loads.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x3:1
# text = A crane uses pulleys to lift heavy loads.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	crane	crane	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	uses	use	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	pulleys	pulley	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	lift	lift	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
7	heavy	heavy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	loads	load	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | a crane | pulleys |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pulley=Patient |
| 2 | **lift** | to-infinitive | a crane *not said here* | heavy loads |  |  |  |  | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent load=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
With two pulleys, you need less effort.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x4:1
# text = With two pulleys, you need less effort.
1	With	with	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	pulleys	pulley	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	need	need	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	less	less	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	8	amod	_	_
8	effort	effort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **need** | present | you | less effort |  |  |  | with two pulleys | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot effort=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The old well had a pulley and rope.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x5:1
# text = The old well had a pulley and rope.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	nsubj	_	_
3	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	4	advmod	_	_
4	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	pulley	pulley	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	rope	rope	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | the old | a pulley and rope |  |  |  | well *property* | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pulley=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We built a pulley in our science lesson.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x6:1
# text = We built a pulley in our science lesson.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	pulley	pulley	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
7	science	science	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	lesson	lesson	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | past | We | a pulley |  | our science lesson |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pulley=Product |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The curtains open with a small pulley.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x7:1
# text = The curtains open with a small pulley.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	curtains	curtain	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	open	open	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	pulley	pulley	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **open** | present | the curtains |  |  |  |  | with a small pulley | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Off went Tom and four men besides, and when they came to the tree they began to draw it into the cart with pulleys.

<!-- fold The tree, 24 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:pulley:x8:1
# text = Off went Tom and four men besides, and when they came to the tree they began to draw it into the cart with pulleys.
1	Off	off	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
2	went	go	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	Tom	Tom	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
5	four	four	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	men	man	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	compound	_	_
7	besides	beside	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
10	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	12	advmod	_	_
11	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
12	came	come	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
13	to	to	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	tree	tree	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	_
16	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	17	nsubj	_	_
17	began	begin	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	15	acl:relcl	_	_
18	to	to	PART	TO	_	19	mark	_	_
19	draw	draw	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	17	xcomp	_	_
20	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	19	obj	_	_
21	into	into	ADP	IN	_	23	case	_	_
22	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
23	cart	cart	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	obl	_	_
24	with	with	ADP	IN	_	25	case	_	_
25	pulleys	pulley	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	19	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
26	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | past |  | Tom and men besides |  |  |  | off *property* | vn meander-47.7 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location tom=Theme |
| 2 | **come** | past | Tom |  |  | the tree |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme to tree=Initial\_Location |
| 3 | **begin** | past | Tom | the tree *not said here* |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **draw** | to-infinitive | Tom *not said here* | tree |  |  |  | into the cart *result*; with pulleys | vn lure-59.3 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent it=Patient into cart=Result |

<!-- 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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