Roleset sharpen.01 Verbnet Class: 1 "cause to become sharp(er)":

Roles:

Arg0:sharpener


Arg1:thing getting sharper


Arg2:instrument, if agent is also present

Examples:

person: third tense: present aspect: progressive voice: active form: participle


just transitive (-)
The government is sharpening its newest weapon against white-collar defendants: the power to prevent them from paying their legal bills.
Arg0:	The government
REL:	sharpening
Arg1:	its newest weapon against white-collar defendants : the power to prevent them from paying their legal bills

person: ns tense: past aspect: ns voice: active form: full


with instrument (-)
John sharpened his wits with frequent arguments with Mary.
Arg0:	John
REL:	sharpened
Arg1:	his wits
Arg2-with:	frequent arguments with Mary

person: ns tense: past aspect: ns voice: active form: full


odd locative instrument (-)
John sharpened his teeth on the doorstep.
Arg0:	John
REL:	sharpened
Arg1:	his teeth
Arg2-on:	the doorstep