---
title: snooper — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «snooper» in the school dictionary: A snooper is a person who secretly looks into other people's private business, looks around where they should not, or spies. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# snooper

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** snooper, person, neighbour, you, detective, little brother · **What happens:** be, look, check up, say, disapprove, watch · **To what, where:** person, someone, inspector, disapproving way, snooper, everyone · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A snooper is a person who secretly looks into other people's private business, looks around where they should not, or spies.

<!-- fold The tree, 22 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:m1:1
# text = A snooper is a person who secretly looks into other people's private business, looks around where they should not, or spies.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	snooper	snooper	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	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
7	secretly	secretly	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
8	looks	look	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
9	into	into	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
10	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	's	's	PART	POS	_	11	case	_	_
13	private	private	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	business	business	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
16	looks	look	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	conj	_	_
17	around	around	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
18	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	20	advmod	_	_
19	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	20	nsubj	_	_
20	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	16	advcl	_	_
21	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	20	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	24	punct	_	_
23	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	24	cc	_	_
24	spies	spy	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a snooper | a person |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **look** | present | a person |  |  |  |  | into other people's private business; secretly *property* | vn peer-30.3 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent into business=Theme |
| 3 | **look** | present | a person *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Stimulus |

<!-- .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 snooper can also be someone officially checking up on people, like an inspector (often said in a disapproving way).

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:m2:1
# text = A snooper can also be someone officially checking up on people, like an inspector (often said in a disapproving way).
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	snooper	snooper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	cop	_	_
6	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	0	root	_	_
7	officially	officially	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
8	checking	check	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	acl	_	_
9	up	up	ADP	RP	_	8	compound:prt	_	_
10	on	on	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
13	like	like	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	inspector	inspector	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	parataxis	_	_
16	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	18	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	often	often	ADV	RB	_	18	advmod	_	_
18	said	say	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	15	acl	_	_
19	in	in	ADP	IN	_	22	case	_	_
20	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	22	det	_	_
21	disapproving	disapprove	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	22	amod	_	_
22	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	18	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | can | a snooper | someone |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **check up** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | on people; officially *property* | vn search-35.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent on people=Location |
| 3 | **say** *speech: assert* | participle |  | a inspector *not said here* |  | a disapproving way |  | often *property* | vn pronounce-29.3.1 «NP V NP PP.manner»: agent=Agent in way=Manner |
| 4 | **disapprove** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn marvel-31.3 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our neighbour is a snooper who watches everyone through her curtains.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:x1:1
# text = Our neighbour is a snooper who watches everyone through her curtains.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	neighbour	neighbour	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	snooper	snooper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	watches	watch	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	7	obj	_	_
9	through	through	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	curtains	curtain	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Our neighbour | a snooper |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **watch** | present | a snooper | everyone |  | her curtains |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent everyone=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Keep your password secret from snoopers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:x2:1
# text = Keep your password secret from snoopers.
1	Keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
3	password	password	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	secret	secret	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	from	from	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	snoopers	snooper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | imperative | you *not said here* | your password secret |  | snoopers |  |  | vn forbid-64.4 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Causer secret=Beneficiary from snooper=Eventuality |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The detective caught the snooper reading the letters.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:x3:1
# text = The detective caught the snooper reading the letters.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	detective	detective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	caught	catch	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	snooper	snooper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	reading	read	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **catch** | past | the detective | the snooper |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent snooper=Theme |
| 2 | **read** | gerund | the snooper *not said here* | the letters |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent letter=Topic |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My little brother is a snooper — he looked in my diary!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:x4:1
# text = My little brother is a snooper — he looked in my diary!
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	brother	brother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	snooper	snooper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	—	-	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	looked	look	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
10	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	12	nmod:poss	_	_
12	diary	diary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | My little brother | a snooper |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **look** | past | he | a snooper *not said here* |  | my diary |  |  | vn seem-109-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme snooper=Attribute |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The house had a lock to keep snoopers out.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:x5:1
# text = The house had a lock to keep snoopers out.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	lock	lock	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	keep	keep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
8	snoopers	snooper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	_
9	out	out	ADP	RP	_	7	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | the house | a lock |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent lock=Patient |
| 2 | **keep out** | to-infinitive | the house *not said here* | snoopers |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent snooper=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(informal) The newspaper called the tax inspectors "snoopers".

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:snooper:x6:1
# text = (informal) The newspaper called the tax inspectors "snoopers".
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	informal	informal	NUM	LS	_	6	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	newspaper	newspaper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj:pass	_	_
6	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	tax	tax	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	inspectors	inspector	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	xcomp	_	_
10	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	snoopers	snooper	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | participle · passive |  | the newspaper |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

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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.

<!-- /div -->

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