---
title: instrument — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «instrument» in the school dictionary: An instrument is a thing used to make music, like a piano, guitar, violin, flute or drum. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# instrument

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** instrument, band, student, violin, thermometer, drum · **What happens:** be, use, make, do, have, play · **To what, where:** thing, music, tool, careful work, 14 instruments, one instrument · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«instrument» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 9 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: [instrument in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/instrument.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An instrument is a thing used to make music, like a piano, guitar, violin, flute or drum.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:m1:1
# text = An instrument is a thing used to make music, like a piano, guitar, violin, flute or drum.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	acl	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
9	music	music	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	like	like	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	piano	piano	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
15	guitar	guitar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
17	violin	violin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	19	punct	_	_
19	flute	flute	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	parataxis	_	_
20	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	21	cc	_	_
21	drum	drum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a instrument | a thing |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  | a thing *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | music |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset music=Product |

<!-- .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 -->
An instrument is also a tool for measuring or doing careful work, like a ruler, thermometer or a doctor's tools.

<!-- fold The tree, 21 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:m2:1
# text = An instrument is also a tool for measuring or doing careful work, like a ruler, thermometer or a doctor's tools.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	tool	tool	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	measuring	measuring	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
9	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	doing	do	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	conj	_	_
11	careful	careful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	work	work	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
14	like	like	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	ruler	ruler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
18	thermometer	thermometer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	23	cc	_	_
20	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
21	doctor	doctor	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	23	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	's	's	PART	POS	_	21	case	_	_
23	tools	tool	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	16	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a instrument | a tool |  |  |  | for measuring | tree rules |
| 2 | **do** | gerund | a instrument *not said here* | careful work |  |  |  | like a ruler and thermometer or a doctor's tools | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent work=Eventuality |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The band has 14 instruments.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x1:1
# text = The band has 14 instruments.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	band	band	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	14	14	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	instruments	instrument	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the band | 14 instruments |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent instrument=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Each student plays one instrument.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x2:1
# text = Each student plays one instrument.
1	Each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	2	det	_	_
2	student	student	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	plays	play	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | present | each student | one instrument |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent instrument=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A violin costs $90 more than a flute.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x3:1
# text = A violin costs $90 more than a flute.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	violin	violin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	costs	cost	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	$	$	SYM	$	_	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	90	90	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
6	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	4	amod	_	_
7	than	than	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	flute	flute	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cost** | present | a violin |  |  |  |  |  | vn cost-54.2 «NP V NP.value»: agent=Theme $=Value |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x4:1
# text = A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	thermometer	thermometer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	measuring	measure	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
8	temperature	temperature	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a thermometer | a instrument |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **measure** | gerund | a instrument *not said here* | temperature |  |  |  |  | vn register-54.1-2-1 «NP V NP.value»: agent=Theme temperature=Value |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Which instrument do you play?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x5:1
# text = Which instrument do you play?
1	Which	which	DET	WDT	PronType=Int	2	det	_	_
2	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
4	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
5	play	play	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | present · do-support | which instrument |  |  |  |  |  | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The drum is a percussion instrument.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x6:1
# text = The drum is a percussion instrument.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	drum	drum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	percussion	percussion	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A protractor is an instrument for measuring angles.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x7:1
# text = A protractor is an instrument for measuring angles.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	protractor	protractor	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	measuring	measuring	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	angles	angle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a protractor | a instrument |  |  |  | for measuring angles | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The pilot checked the instruments before take-off.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x8:1
# text = The pilot checked the instruments before take-off.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	pilot	pilot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	checked	check	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	instruments	instrument	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	before	before	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	take	take	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	off	off	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **check** | past | the pilot | the instruments |  |  | before take off |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent instrument=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Go down and ask him what the instrument costs.’

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:instrument:x9:1
# text = Go down and ask him what the instrument costs.’
1	Go	go	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	down	down	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	ask	ask	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	_
5	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	obj	_	_
6	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	9	obj	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	instrument	instrument	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
9	costs	cost	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	’	'	PUNCT	''	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go down** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | down *property* | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* | infinitive | you *not said here* |  | him *= he* |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP whether S»: agent=Agent he=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 3 | **cost** | present | the instrument |  |  |  |  |  | vn cost-54.2 «NP V NP.value»: agent=Theme what=Value |

<!-- 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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