---
title: uncouple — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «uncouple» in the school dictionary: To separate two things that were joined, especially railway carriages, a trailer from a car, or wagons. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# uncouple

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** workers, Dad, farmer, plan, hours, you · **What happens:** separate, join, link, uncouple, move, work · **To what, where:** two things, two ideas, things, last carriage, caravan, car

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To separate two things that were joined, especially railway carriages, a trailer from a car, or wagons.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:m1:1
# text = To separate two things that were joined, especially railway carriages, a trailer from a car, or wagons.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	separate	separate	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj:pass	_	_
6	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux:pass	_	_
7	joined	join	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
9	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
10	railway	railway	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	carriages	carriage	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	trailer	trailer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
15	from	from	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
16	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	wagons	wagon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **separate** | to-infinitive |  | two things and railway carriages and a trailer from a car |  |  |  | wagons *obl* | vn separate-23.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent thing=Patient |
| 2 | **join** | past · passive |  | two things and railway carriages and a trailer from a car |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: subject=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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To separate two ideas or things that were linked.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:m2:1
# text = To separate two ideas or things that were linked.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	separate	separate	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	ideas	idea	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	conj	_	_
7	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	linked	link	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **separate** | to-infinitive |  | two ideas or things |  |  |  |  | vn separate-23.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent idea=Patient |
| 2 | **link** | past · passive |  | things |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The workers uncoupled the last carriage.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:x1:1
# text = The workers uncoupled the last carriage.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	workers	worker	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	uncoupled	uncouple	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	last	last	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	carriage	carriage	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **uncouple** | past | the workers | the last carriage |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dad uncoupled the caravan from the car.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:x2:1
# text = Dad uncoupled the caravan from the car.
1	Dad	dad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	uncoupled	uncouple	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	caravan	caravan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	from	from	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **uncouple** | past | Dad | the caravan |  | the car |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The engine was uncoupled and moved to the other end of the train.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:x3:1
# text = The engine was uncoupled and moved to the other end of the train.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	engine	engine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	uncoupled	uncouple	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	moved	move	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	conj	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
11	of	of	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	train	train	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **uncouple** | past · passive |  | the engine |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **move** | participle |  |  |  |  | to the other end of the train |  | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP V PP.trajectory»: agent=Theme to end=Trajectory |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The farmer uncoupled the trailer in the field.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:x4:1
# text = The farmer uncoupled the trailer in the field.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	farmer	farmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	uncoupled	uncouple	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	trailer	trailer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	field	field	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **uncouple** | participle | the farmer *not said here* | the trailer |  | the field |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The plan uncouples pay from hours worked.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:x5:1
# text = The plan uncouples pay from hours worked.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	uncouples	uncouple	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	pay	pay	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	from	from	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
6	hours	hour	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
7	worked	work	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **uncouple** | present | the plan | pay |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **work** | past | hours |  |  |  |  |  | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Never try to uncouple wagons yourself — it's dangerous.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:uncouple:x6:1
# text = Never try to uncouple wagons yourself — it's dangerous.
1	Never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	2	advmod	_	_
2	try	try	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	uncouple	uncouple	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	xcomp	_	_
5	wagons	wagon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	yourself	yourself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	4	obj	_	_
7	—	-	PUNCT	:	_	10	punct	_	_
8	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	dangerous	dangerous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **try** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **uncouple** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | wagons |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **is** | present | it |  |  |  |  | dangerous *property* | 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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