---
title: regulate — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «regulate» in the school dictionary: To regulate something is to control it with rules or laws. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# regulate

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** body, thermostat, government, fast lorries, valve, water · **What happens:** regulate, be, stay, sweat, help, drive · **To what, where:** something, right level, temperature, heat, house, body

<!-- .vabout -->
«regulate» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 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: [regulate in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/regulate.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To regulate something is to control it with rules or laws.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:m1:1
# text = To regulate something is to control it with rules or laws.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	regulate	regulate	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	control	control	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	with	with	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	rules	rule	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	laws	law	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | with rules or laws; control *property* | tree rules |

<!-- .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 regulate something is to keep it at the right level or speed, like heat or flow.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:m2:1
# text = To regulate something is to keep it at the right level or speed, like heat or flow.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	regulate	regulate	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	at	at	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	right	right	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	level	level	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	speed	speed	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
15	like	like	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
16	heat	heat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
17	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
18	flow	flow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  | the right level or speed |  | keep *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The body regulates its temperature to stay about the same.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:m3:1
# text = The body regulates its temperature to stay about the same.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	regulates	regulate	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	temperature	temperature	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	stay	stay	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
8	about	about	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | present | the body | body's temperature |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **stay** | to-infinitive | the body *not said here* |  |  |  |  | about the same | vn exist-47.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme about same=Location |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The thermostat regulates the heat in our house.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:x1:1
# text = The thermostat regulates the heat in our house.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	thermostat	thermostat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	regulates	regulate	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	heat	heat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | present | the thermostat | the heat |  | our house |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sweating helps your body regulate its temperature.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:x2:1
# text = Sweating helps your body regulate its temperature.
1	Sweating	sweat	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	nsubj	_	_
2	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	regulate	regulate	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
6	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	temperature	temperature	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sweat** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn breathe-40.1.2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **help** | present |  | your body |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent body=Beneficiary clause=Theme |
| 3 | **regulate** | infinitive | your body *not said here* | body's temperature |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The government regulates how fast lorries can drive.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:x3:1
# text = The government regulates how fast lorries can drive.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	government	government	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	regulates	regulate	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	5	advmod	_	_
5	fast	fast	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	lorries	lorry	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
7	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
8	drive	drive	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | present | the government |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **drive** | can | fast lorries |  |  |  |  |  | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2-1 «NP.agent V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A valve regulates the flow of water into the tank.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:x4:1
# text = A valve regulates the flow of water into the tank.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	valve	valve	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	regulates	regulate	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	flow	flow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	into	into	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	tank	tank	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | present | a valve | the flow of water |  | the tank |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **flow** |  | water |  |  |  |  |  | nom flow «event intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Fishing is regulated to protect the fish.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:x5:1
# text = Fishing is regulated to protect the fish.
1	Fishing	fishing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	regulated	regulate	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	protect	protect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	fish	fish	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | present · passive |  | Fishing |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **protect** | to-infinitive |  |  | the fish |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fish=Beneficiary |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mum regulates how much screen time we get.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:x6:1
# text = Mum regulates how much screen time we get.
1	Mum	mum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	regulates	regulate	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	4	advmod	_	_
4	much	much	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
5	screen	screen	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl:unmarked	_	_
7	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	get	get	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | present | Mum |  |  |  | time |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **get** | present | we | much screen time *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer time=Stimulus |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Toys are regulated so that they are safe for children.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:regulate:x7:1
# text = Toys are regulated so that they are safe for children.
1	Toys	toy	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	regulated	regulate	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	so	so	SCONJ	IN	ExtPos=SCONJ	8	mark	_	_
5	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	4	fixed	_	_
6	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
7	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
8	safe	safe	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	advcl	_	_
9	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **regulate** | present · passive |  | Toys |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present | Toys *= toy* |  |  |  |  | for children; safe *property* | tree rules |

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**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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