---
title: signpost — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «signpost» in the school dictionary: A signpost is a post at the side of a road or path with signs that show the way and how far it is to places. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# signpost

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** signpost, signs, village, you · **What happens:** be, show, come, signpost, say, follow · **To what, where:** post, side, way, something, you, writing · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A signpost is a post at the side of a road or path with signs that show the way and how far it is to places.

<!-- fold The tree, 26 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:m1:1
# text = A signpost is a post at the side of a road or path with signs that show the way and how far it is to places.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	signpost	signpost	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	post	post	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	at	at	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	side	side	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	road	road	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	path	path	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	_
14	with	with	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	signs	sign	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	nmod	_	_
16	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	17	nsubj	_	_
17	show	show	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	acl:relcl	_	_
18	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
19	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	obj	_	_
20	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	26	cc	_	_
21	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	22	advmod	_	_
22	far	far	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	26	advmod	_	_
23	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	26	nsubj	_	_
24	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	26	cop	_	_
25	to	to	ADP	IN	_	26	case	_	_
26	places	place	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	17	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
27	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a signpost | a post |  | the side of a road or path with signs |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **show** | present | signs | the way |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent way=Recipient |
| 3 | **is** | present | signpost |  |  |  |  | to places; far *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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A signpost is also something that shows you what is coming, like headings in writing.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:m2:1
# text = A signpost is also something that shows you what is coming, like headings in writing.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	signpost	signpost	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	0	root	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	shows	show	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	iobj	_	_
9	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	11	nsubj	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
11	coming	come	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
13	like	like	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	headings	heading	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	obl	_	_
15	in	in	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
16	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	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 signpost | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **show** | present |  |  | you |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP what S»: agent=Agent you=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 3 | **come** | present · progressive |  |  |  | writing |  | like headings | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in writing=Location |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To signpost something is to mark the way to it with signs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:m3:1
# text = To signpost something is to mark the way to it with signs.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	signpost	signpost	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	mark	mark	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
9	to	to	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obl	_	_
11	with	with	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	signs	sign	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signpost** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  | way |  |  | with signs; mark *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The signpost said the village was 3 miles away.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:x1:1
# text = The signpost said the village was 3 miles away.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	signpost	signpost	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	said	say	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	village	village	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
6	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
7	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	miles	mile	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obl:unmarked	_	_
9	away	away	ADV	RB	_	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the signpost |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | past | the village |  |  |  |  | 3 miles *obl:unmarked*; away *property* | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Follow the signposts to the beach.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:x2:1
# text = Follow the signposts to the beach.
1	Follow	follow	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	signposts	signpost	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	to	to	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	beach	beach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **follow** | imperative | you *not said here* | the signposts |  | the beach |  |  | vn chase-51.6 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent signpost=Theme to beach=Trajectory |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The path is well signposted.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:x3:1
# text = The path is well signposted.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	path	path	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
4	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	5	advmod	_	_
5	signposted	signpost	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signpost** | present · passive |  | the path |  |  |  | well *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We got lost because the signpost had fallen over.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:x4:1
# text = We got lost because the signpost had fallen over.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	got	get	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	lost	lose	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	signpost	signpost	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
7	had	have	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
8	fallen	fall	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	_
9	over	over	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lose** | past · passive |  | We |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Eventuality |
| 2 | **fall over** | past · perfect | the signpost |  |  |  |  | over *property* | vn occur-48.3 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Firstly» and «finally» are signpost words in writing.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:x5:1
# text = «Firstly» and «finally» are signpost words in writing.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Firstly	firstly	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
5	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	finally	finally	ADV	RB	_	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
8	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
9	signpost	signpost	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
11	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | signpost words |  | writing |  | firstly *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The signpost pointed left to the castle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signpost:x6:1
# text = The signpost pointed left to the castle.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	signpost	signpost	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	pointed	point	VERB	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	to	to	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	castle	castle	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 signpost | the castle |  |  |  | vn fulfilling-13.4.1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: subject=Theme to castle=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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