---
title: crux — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «crux» in the school dictionary: The most important or difficult part of a problem, question or argument: «The crux of the matter is that we don't have enough money». Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# crux

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** important part, crux, you, 's, question, Working · **What happens:** not be, see, show, be, let, get · **To what, where:** stars, southern sky, flags, 's, tricky overhang, Southern Cross · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The most important or difficult part of a problem, question or argument: «The crux of the matter is that we don't have enough money».

<!-- fold The tree, 25 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:m1:1
# text = The most important or difficult part of a problem, question or argument: «The crux of the matter is that we don't have enough money».
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
2	most	most	ADV	RBS	Degree=Sup	3	advmod	_	_
3	important	important	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	difficult	difficult	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	conj	_	_
6	part	part	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	26	nsubj:outer	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	argument	argument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	17	punct	_	_
15	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	17	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	crux	crux	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
18	of	of	ADP	IN	_	20	case	_	_
19	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
20	matter	matter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	nmod	_	_
21	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	26	cop	_	_
22	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	26	mark	_	_
23	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	26	nsubj	_	_
24	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	26	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	26	advmod	_	_
26	have	have	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
27	enough	enough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	28	amod	_	_
28	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	26	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
29	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	26	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
30	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	26	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **is** *in a quote* | present · do-support | the important part of a problem and question or argument and the crux of the matter |  |  |  |  | have *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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The hardest move or section on a climbing route.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:m2:1
# text = The hardest move or section on a climbing route.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	hardest	hard	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	3	amod	_	_
3	move	move	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	section	section	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	climbing	climbing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	route	route	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Crux, the Southern Cross: a small, bright group of stars seen in the southern sky, shown on the flags of Australia and New Zealand.

<!-- fold The tree, 24 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:m3:1
# text = Crux, the Southern Cross: a small, bright group of stars seen in the southern sky, shown on the flags of Australia and New Zealand.
1	Crux	crux	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	Southern	Southern	PROPN	NNP	_	5	flat	_	_
5	Cross	Cross	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	1	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
8	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
10	bright	bright	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	appos	_	_
12	of	of	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	stars	star	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	nmod	_	_
14	seen	see	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	13	acl	_	_
15	in	in	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
16	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
17	southern	southern	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	18	amod	_	_
18	sky	sky	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
20	shown	show	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	11	conj	_	_
21	on	on	ADP	IN	_	23	case	_	_
22	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
23	flags	flag	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	20	obl	_	_
24	of	of	ADP	IN	_	25	case	_	_
25	Australia	Australia	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	23	nmod	_	_
26	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	28	cc	_	_
27	New	New	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	28	flat	_	_
28	Zealand	Zealand	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	25	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
29	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **see** | participle |  | stars *not said here* |  | the southern sky |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **show** | participle |  |  |  | the flags of Australia and New Zealand |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The crux of the problem is that the bridge is too short.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:x1:1
# text = The crux of the problem is that the bridge is too short.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	crux	crux	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
7	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	bridge	bridge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
11	too	too	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
12	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the crux of the problem |  |  |  |  | short *property* | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Let's get to the crux of the argument.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:x2:1
# text = Let's get to the crux of the argument.
1	Let	let	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	1	obj	_	_
3	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	xcomp	_	_
4	to	to	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	crux	crux	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	argument	argument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **let** | imperative | you *not said here* | 's |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **get** | infinitive | 's *not said here* |  |  |  |  | to the crux of the argument *result* | vn convert-26.6.2 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Patient to crux=Result |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The crux of the story is whether the dragon will forgive the knight.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:x3:1
# text = The crux of the story is whether the dragon will forgive the knight.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	crux	crux	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
7	whether	whether	SCONJ	IN	_	11	mark	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	dragon	dragon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
10	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
11	forgive	forgive	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	knight	knight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the crux of the story |  |  |  |  | forgive *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The crux of the climb was a tricky overhang.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:x4:1
# text = The crux of the climb was a tricky overhang.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	crux	crux	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	climb	climb	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	tricky	tricky	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	overhang	overhang	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the crux of the climb | a tricky overhang |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
On the flags of Australia and New Zealand you can see the Southern Cross, called Crux.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:x5:1
# text = On the flags of Australia and New Zealand you can see the Southern Cross, called Crux.
1	On	on	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	flags	flag	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	obl	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	Australia	Australia	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	New	New	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	flat	_	_
8	Zealand	Zealand	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	_
10	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
11	see	see	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
13	Southern	Southern	PROPN	NNP	_	14	flat	_	_
14	Cross	Cross	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
16	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	14	acl	_	_
17	Crux	Crux	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	16	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **see** | can | you | the Southern Cross |  | the flags of Australia and New Zealand |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer cross=Stimulus |
| 2 | **call** | participle |  | the Southern Cross *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Working out what the question asks is the crux of most maths problems.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:crux:x6:1
# text = Working out what the question asks is the crux of most maths problems.
1	Working	work	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	csubj	_	_
2	out	out	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
3	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	6	obj	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	asks	ask	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	advcl	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	crux	crux	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
11	most	most	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	13	amod	_	_
12	maths	math	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	compound	_	_
13	problems	problem	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work out** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* | present | the question |  |  |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent what=Recipient |
| 3 | **is a** | present | Working | the crux |  |  |  | of most maths problems | 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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