---
title: strangle — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «strangle» in the school dictionary: To strangle means to squeeze someone's neck so hard that they cannot breathe; it can kill. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# strangle

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** they, neck, weeds, strangled sound, you, ivy · **What happens:** strangle, mean, squeeze, not breathe, kill, stop · **To what, where:** neck, something, it, weeds, plants, cry · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«strangle» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [strangle in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/strangle.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To strangle means to squeeze someone's neck so hard that they cannot breathe; it can kill.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:m1:1
# text = To strangle means to squeeze someone's neck so hard that they cannot breathe; it can kill.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	strangle	strangle	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	csubj	_	_
3	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	squeeze	squeeze	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	8	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	's	's	PART	POS	_	6	case	_	_
8	neck	neck	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
9	so	so	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	hard	hard	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	5	advmod	_	_
11	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	15	mark	_	_
12	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	15	nsubj	_	_
13	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	15	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	15	advmod	_	_
15	breathe	breathe	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	19	punct	_	_
17	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	19	nsubj	_	_
18	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	19	aux	_	_
19	kill	kill	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **strangle** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **squeeze** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | someone's neck |  |  |  | hard *property* | vn push-12-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent neck=Theme |
| 4 | **not** **breathe** | can | they |  |  |  |  |  | vn breathe-40.1.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **kill** | can | neck |  |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP-PRO-ARB»: agent=Stimulus |

<!-- .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 strangle something means to stop it growing or developing, like weeds strangling plants.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:m2:1
# text = To strangle something means to stop it growing or developing, like weeds strangling plants.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	strangle	strangle	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	growing	grow	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	xcomp	_	_
9	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	developing	develop	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	like	like	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	weeds	weed	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obj	_	_
14	strangling	strangle	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	13	acl	_	_
15	plants	plant	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **strangle** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Patient |
| 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 |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **grow** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 5 | **develop** | gerund |  | weeds |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent weed=Product |
| 6 | **strangle** | gerund | weeds *not said here* | plants |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent plant=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A strangled sound is a cry that is cut short.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:m3:1
# text = A strangled sound is a cry that is cut short.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	strangled	strangle	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	amod	_	_
3	sound	sound	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	cry	cry	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	cut	cut	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	acl:relcl	_	_
10	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **strangle** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is a** | present | a strangled sound | a cry |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **cut** | present · passive |  | a cry |  |  |  | short *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: subject=Product |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Never put a rope or string around anyone's neck; it could strangle them.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x1:1
# text = Never put a rope or string around anyone's neck; it could strangle them.
1	Never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	2	advmod	_	_
2	put	put	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	rope	rope	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	string	string	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	around	around	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	anyone	anyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	10	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	's	's	PART	POS	_	8	case	_	_
10	neck	neck	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	14	punct	_	_
12	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	nsubj	_	_
13	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	14	aux	_	_
14	strangle	strangle	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
15	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **put** | imperative | you *not said here* | a rope or string |  | anyone's neck |  |  | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent rope=Theme around neck=Destination |
| 2 | **strangle** | could | neck | rope |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent they=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Tie up blind cords so small children can't get strangled.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x2:1
# text = Tie up blind cords so small children can't get strangled.
1	Tie	tie	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	up	up	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
3	blind	blind	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	cords	cord	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
5	so	so	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
6	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	ca	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
10	get	get	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	aux:pass	_	_
11	strangled	strangle	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tie up** | imperative | you *not said here* | blind cords |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cord=Patient |
| 2 | **not** **strangle** | can · passive |  | small children |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ivy is strangling the tree.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x3:1
# text = The ivy is strangling the tree.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ivy	ivy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	strangling	strangle	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	tree	tree	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 | **strangle** | present · progressive | the ivy | the tree |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tree=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She gave a strangled cry of surprise.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x4:1
# text = She gave a strangled cry of surprise.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	strangled	strangle	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	amod	_	_
5	cry	cry	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	surprise	surprise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | She | a strangled cry of surprise |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cry=Theme |
| 2 | **strangle** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **cry** |  | surprise |  |  |  |  |  | nom cry «communication intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Weeds can strangle young plants.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x5:1
# text = Weeds can strangle young plants.
1	Weeds	weed	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	strangle	strangle	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	young	young	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	plants	plant	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **strangle** | can | Weeds | young plants |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent plant=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the story, the snake tried to strangle the hero.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x6:1
# text = In the story, the snake tried to strangle the hero.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	snake	snake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
7	tried	try	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	strangle	strangle	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	hero	hero	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | past | the snake |  |  | the story |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **strangle** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | the snake *not said here* | the hero |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hero=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Take off scarves and cords before climbing frames.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x7:1
# text = Take off scarves and cords before climbing frames.
1	Take	take	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	off	off	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
3	scarves	scarf	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	cords	cord	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	conj	_	_
6	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	climbing	climb	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	advcl	_	_
8	frames	frame	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take off** | imperative | you *not said here* | scarves and cords |  |  |  |  | vn remove-10.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent scarf=Theme |
| 2 | **climb** | gerund | you *not said here* | frames |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Initial\_Location frame=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The king was very angry, and had him strangled immediately.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:strangle:x8:1
# text = The king was very angry, and had him strangled immediately.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	king	king	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	very	very	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	angry	angry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
9	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	_
10	strangled	strangle	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	xcomp	_	_
11	immediately	immediately	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the king |  |  |  |  | angry *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **have** | past |  | king |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **strangle** | participle | king *not said here* |  |  |  |  | immediately *property* | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

<!-- 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 -->
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