---
title: strait — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «strait» in the school dictionary: A strait is a narrow passage of sea between two pieces of land that joins two larger seas. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# strait

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** strait, land, dire straits, ferry, Bass Strait, people · **What happens:** be, join, mean, separate, cross, lie · **To what, where:** narrow passage, two larger seas, Spain, Cook Strait, Wellington, Victoria

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A strait is a narrow passage of sea between two pieces of land that joins two larger seas.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:m1:1
# text = A strait is a narrow passage of sea between two pieces of land that joins two larger seas.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	strait	strait	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	narrow	narrow	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	passage	passage	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
9	between	between	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	11	nummod	_	_
11	pieces	piece	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
12	of	of	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	land	land	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nmod	_	_
14	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	15	nsubj	_	_
15	joins	join	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	acl:relcl	_	_
16	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	18	nummod	_	_
17	larger	large	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	18	amod	_	_
18	seas	sea	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a strait | a narrow passage |  |  |  | of sea; between two pieces of land | tree rules |
| 2 | **join** | present | land | two larger seas |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent sea=Patient |

<!-- .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 -->
«In dire straits» means in a very difficult or dangerous situation, often with money.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:m2:1
# text = «In dire straits» means in a very difficult or dangerous situation, often with money.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	In	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	dire	dire	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	straits	strait	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
6	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
9	very	very	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	difficult	difficult	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	dangerous	dangerous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	conj	_	_
13	situation	situation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
15	often	often	ADV	RB	_	17	advmod	_	_
16	with	with	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | dire straits |  |  |  |  | in a difficult situation and money | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot in situation=Attribute |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Strait of Gibraltar separates Spain and Morocco.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x1:1
# text = The Strait of Gibraltar separates Spain and Morocco.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Strait	Strait	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	Gibraltar	Gibraltar	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
5	separates	separate	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	Spain	Spain	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	Morocco	Morocco	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **separate** | present | the Strait of Gibraltar | Spain and Morocco |  |  |  |  | vn separate-23.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent spain=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ferry crosses Cook Strait from Wellington.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x2:1
# text = The ferry crosses Cook Strait from Wellington.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ferry	ferry	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	crosses	cross	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	Cook	Cook	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	Strait	Strait	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	from	from	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	Wellington	Wellington	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cross** | present | the ferry | Cook Strait |  | Wellington |  |  | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent strait=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Bass Strait lies between Victoria and Tasmania.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x3:1
# text = Bass Strait lies between Victoria and Tasmania.
1	Bass	bass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	Strait	Strait	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	lies	lie	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	between	between	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	Victoria	Victoria	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	Tasmania	Tasmania	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lie** | present | Bass Strait |  |  | Victoria and Tasmania |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent between victoria=Location |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Long ago people walked across the Bering Strait when sea levels were low.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x4:1
# text = Long ago people walked across the Bering Strait when sea levels were low.
1	Long	long	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	2	advmod	_	_
2	ago	ago	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
3	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	walked	walk	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	across	across	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	Bering	Bering	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	Strait	Strait	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
9	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	13	mark	_	_
10	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	levels	level	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	nsubj	_	_
12	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
13	low	low	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **walk** | past | people |  |  | the Bering Strait |  | ago *property* | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme across strait=Trajectory |
| 2 | **is** | past | sea levels |  |  |  |  | low *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ships sail through the narrow strait.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x5:1
# text = Ships sail through the narrow strait.
1	Ships	ship	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	sail	sail	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	through	through	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	narrow	narrow	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	strait	strait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sail** | present | Ships |  |  | the narrow strait |  |  | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent through strait=Trajectory |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
After the flood, the family were in dire straits.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x6:1
# text = After the flood, the family were in dire straits.
1	After	after	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	flood	flood	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	family	family	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
7	were	be	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	dire	dire	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	straits	strait	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **be** | past | the family |  |  | dire straits | after the flood |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in strait=Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Find the strait on the map and colour it blue.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x7:1
# text = Find the strait on the map and colour it blue.
1	Find	find	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	strait	strait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	map	map	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	colour	colour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	blue	blue	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **find** | imperative | you *not said here* | the strait |  | the map and colour |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent strait=Topic |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The black horse leaped the strait.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strait:x8:1
# text = The black horse leaped the strait.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	black	black	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	horse	horse	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	leaped	leap	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	acl	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	strait	strait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **leap** | participle | the black horse *not said here* | the strait |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme strait=Trajectory |

<!-- 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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