---
title: inoperative — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «inoperative» in the school dictionary: Inoperative means not working or not in use. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# inoperative

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Inoperative, lift, smoke alarm, battery, formal ticket machine, old rule · **What happens:** mean, not work, have, be, use, become · **To what, where:** rule, that, stairs, inoperative equipment, teacher

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Inoperative means not working or not in use.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:m1:1
# text = Inoperative means not working or not in use.
1	Inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	working	work	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	xcomp	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
6	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	use	use	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Inoperative |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **not** **work** *not said to happen* | gerund | Inoperative *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn employment-95.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .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.

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The lift is inoperative.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:m1e:1
# text = The lift is inoperative.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	lift	lift	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

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

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Inoperative can mean a rule or law that no longer has any effect.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:m2:1
# text = Inoperative can mean a rule or law that no longer has any effect.
1	Inoperative	Inoperative	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	11	obj	_	_
9	no	no	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	longer	long	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	11	advmod	_	_
11	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
12	any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	13	det	_	_
13	effect	effect	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | Inoperative | a rule or law |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent rule=Topic |
| 2 | **have** | present |  | that |  |  |  | long *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) The lift is inoperative; please use the stairs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:x1:1
# text = (formal) The lift is inoperative; please use the stairs.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	lift	lift	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	please	please	INTJ	UH	_	10	discourse	_	_
10	use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	parataxis	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	stairs	stair	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the lift |  |  |  |  | inoperative *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | infinitive |  | the stairs |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent stair=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The smoke alarm was inoperative because the battery was flat.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:x2:1
# text = The smoke alarm was inoperative because the battery was flat.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	smoke	smoke	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	alarm	alarm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	battery	battery	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
9	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	flat	flat	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the smoke alarm |  |  |  |  | inoperative *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | past | the battery |  |  |  |  | flat *property* | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) The ticket machine is currently inoperative.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:x3:1
# text = (formal) The ticket machine is currently inoperative.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	ticket	ticket	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	machine	machine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	currently	currently	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | formal ticket machine |  |  |  |  | currently, inoperative *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Two of the five lights were inoperative.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:x4:1
# text = Two of the five lights were inoperative.
1	Two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	0	root	_	_
2	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	five	five	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	lights	light	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obl	_	_
6	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past |  |  |  |  |  | of the five lights; inoperative *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The old rule became inoperative when the new one began.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:x5:1
# text = The old rule became inoperative when the new one began.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	became	become	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	xcomp	_	_
6	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	10	mark	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	one	one	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
10	began	begin	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **become** | past | the old rule |  |  |  |  | inoperative *property* | vn become-109.1-1-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **begin** | past | the new one |  |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Report any inoperative equipment to the teacher.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:inoperative:x6:1
# text = Report any inoperative equipment to the teacher.
1	Report	report	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	4	det	_	_
3	inoperative	inoperative	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	equipment	equipment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **report** | imperative | you *not said here* | any inoperative equipment | the teacher |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: agent=Agent equipment=Topic to teacher=Recipient |

<!-- 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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