---
title: doorstep — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «doorstep» in the school dictionary: A doorstep is the step or flat spot just outside the front door of a house. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# doorstep

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** doorstep, you, little kitten, Gran, We, milkman · **What happens:** be, mean, live, leave, cry, wave · **To what, where:** step, parcel, doorstep, goodbye, feet, beautiful beach

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A doorstep is the step or flat spot just outside the front door of a house.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:m1:1
# text = A doorstep is the step or flat spot just outside the front door of a house.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	step	step	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	flat	flat	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	spot	spot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
9	just	just	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
10	outside	outside	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	front	front	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a doorstep | the step or flat spot |  |  |  | outside the front door of a house | 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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«On your doorstep» means very close to where you live.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:m2:1
# text = «On your doorstep» means very close to where you live.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	On	on	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	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	very	very	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
8	close	close	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	xcomp	_	_
9	to	to	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
10	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	12	advmod	_	_
11	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
12	live	live	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | your doorstep |  |  |  |  | close *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **live** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The parcel was left on the doorstep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x1:1
# text = The parcel was left on the doorstep.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	parcel	parcel	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	left	leave	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **leave** | past · passive |  | the parcel |  | the doorstep |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: subject=Theme on doorstep=Location |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A little kitten was crying on our doorstep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x2:1
# text = A little kitten was crying on our doorstep.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	kitten	kitten	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	crying	cry	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cry** *speech: express* | past · progressive | a little kitten |  |  | our doorstep |  |  | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme on doorstep=Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Gran waved goodbye from the doorstep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x3:1
# text = Gran waved goodbye from the doorstep.
1	Gran	Gran	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	waved	wave	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	goodbye	goodbye	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	from	from	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	doorstep	doorstep	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 | **wave** | past | Gran | goodbye |  | the doorstep |  |  | vn wink-40.3.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent goodbye=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wipe your feet on the doorstep before you come in.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x4:1
# text = Wipe your feet on the doorstep before you come in.
1	Wipe	wipe	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	feet	foot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	come	come	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	advcl	_	_
10	in	in	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wipe** | imperative | you *not said here* | your feet |  | the doorstep |  |  | vn funnel-9.3-1 «NP V NP PP.trajectory»: agent=Agent foot=Theme on doorstep=Trajectory |
| 2 | **come in** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We have a beautiful beach right on our doorstep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x5:1
# text = We have a beautiful beach right on our doorstep.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	beautiful	beautiful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	beach	beach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	right	right	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
7	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | We | a beautiful beach |  | our doorstep |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent beach=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The milkman used to leave bottles on the doorstep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x6:1
# text = The milkman used to leave bottles on the doorstep.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	milkman	milkman	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	used	use	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	leave	leave	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	bottles	bottle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	_
7	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | past | the milkman |  |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **leave** | to-infinitive | the milkman *not said here* | bottles |  | the doorstep |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent bottle=Theme on doorstep=Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Never open the door to strangers on the doorstep without a grown-up.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x7:1
# text = Never open the door to strangers on the doorstep without a grown-up.
1	Never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	2	advmod	_	_
2	open	open	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	strangers	stranger	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
7	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
10	without	without	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
12	grown	grown	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	up	up	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **open** | imperative | you *not said here* | the door |  | the doorstep |  | to strangers; without a grown up | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V NP.theme PP»: agent=Agent door=Theme on doorstep=Location |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
When he got home his mother was on the doorstep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:doorstep:x8:1
# text = When he got home his mother was on the doorstep.
1	When	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	3	advmod	_	_
2	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
3	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	home	home	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	mother	mother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
8	on	on	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	doorstep	doorstep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | past | he |  |  |  |  | home *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **is** | past | his mother |  |  | the doorstep |  |  | tree rules |

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**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.

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