---
title: staff — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «staff» in the school dictionary: The staff are all the people who work for a school, shop, hospital or company. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# staff

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** staff, people, school staff, you, hospital staff, Teachers · **What happens:** be, work, use, carry, sign, write on · **To what, where:** people, long strong stick, power, set, music, five lines

<!-- .vabout -->
«staff» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [staff in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/staff.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The staff are all the people who work for a school, shop, hospital or company.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:m1:1
# text = The staff are all the people who work for a school, shop, hospital or company.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	all	all	DET	PDT	PronType=Tot	6	det:predet	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
7	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
8	work	work	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
9	for	for	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
13	shop	shop	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
15	hospital	hospital	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	company	company	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the staff | all people |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **work** | present | all people |  |  |  |  | for a school and shop and hospital or company | vn employment-95.3 «NP V PP.beneficiary»: agent=Agent for school=Beneficiary |

<!-- .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 staff is a long, strong stick used for walking or carried as a sign of power.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:m2:1
# text = A staff is a long, strong stick used for walking or carried as a sign of power.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
5	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
7	strong	strong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	stick	stick	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
9	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	acl	_	_
10	for	for	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	walking	walking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	carried	carry	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	conj	_	_
14	as	as	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obl	_	_
17	of	of	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
18	power	power	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a staff | a long strong stick |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  | a long strong stick *not said here* |  |  |  | for walking | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **carry** | participle |  |  |  |  |  | as a sign of power | vn carry-11.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **sign** |  |  | power |  |  |  |  | nom sign «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In music, the staff (or stave) is the set of five lines that notes are written on.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:m3:1
# text = In music, the staff (or stave) is the set of five lines that notes are written on.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	music	music	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj	_	_
6	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	stave	stave	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	8	punct	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	set	set	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
13	of	of	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	five	five	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	15	nummod	_	_
15	lines	line	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	nmod	_	_
16	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	19	nsubj:pass	_	_
17	notes	note	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	19	nsubj:pass	_	_
18	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	19	aux:pass	_	_
19	written	write	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	15	acl:relcl	_	_
20	on	on	ADP	RP	_	19	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the staff or stave | the set |  | music |  | of five lines | tree rules |
| 2 | **write on** | present · passive |  | five lines |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The school staff had a meeting after lessons.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x1:1
# text = The school staff had a meeting after lessons.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	meeting	meeting	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	after	after	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	lessons	lesson	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | the school staff | a meeting |  |  | after lessons |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent meeting=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ask a member of staff if you need help.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x2:1
# text = Ask a member of staff if you need help.
1	Ask	ask	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	member	member	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
6	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	need	need	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	advcl	_	_
9	help	help	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ask** *speech: ask* | imperative | you *not said here* | a member of staff |  |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent member=Recipient |
| 2 | **need** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you | help |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot help=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The hospital staff were very kind to Grandma.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x3:1
# text = The hospital staff were very kind to Grandma.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	hospital	hospital	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	very	very	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
6	kind	kind	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	Grandma	Grandma	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the hospital staff |  | Grandma |  |  | kind *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Teachers drink tea in the staff room.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x4:1
# text = Teachers drink tea in the staff room.
1	Teachers	teacher	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	drink	drink	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	tea	tea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	room	room	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **drink** | present | Teachers | tea |  | the staff room |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tea=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The old shepherd leaned on his wooden staff.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x5:1
# text = The old shepherd leaned on his wooden staff.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	shepherd	shepherd	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	leaned	lean	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	acl	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
7	wooden	wooden	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lean** | participle |  | the old shepherd *not said here* |  | shepherd's wooden staff |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent on staff=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The wizard raised his staff and the lights went out.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x6:1
# text = The wizard raised his staff and the lights went out.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	wizard	wizard	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	raised	raise	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	lights	light	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nsubj	_	_
9	went	go	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
10	out	out	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **raise** | past | the wizard | wizard's staff |  |  |  |  | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent staff=Theme |
| 2 | **go out** | past | the lights |  |  |  |  | out *property* | vn interact-36.6 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Draw a treble clef at the start of the staff.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x7:1
# text = Draw a treble clef at the start of the staff.
1	Draw	draw	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	treble	treble	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	clef	clef	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	start	start	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **draw** | imperative | you *not said here* | a treble clef |  | the start of the staff |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent clef=Theme |
| 2 | **start** |  |  | the staff |  |  |  |  | nom start «event transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The shop is short of staff today.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x8:1
# text = The shop is short of staff today.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	shop	shop	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
7	today	today	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the shop |  |  |  |  | of staff  today; short *property* | tree rules |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Suddenly the door opened, and an ancient dame leaning on a staff hobbled out.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:staff:x9:1
# text = Suddenly the door opened, and an ancient dame leaning on a staff hobbled out.
1	Suddenly	suddenly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	opened	open	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
7	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	ancient	ancient	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	dame	dame	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nsubj	_	_
10	leaning	lean	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	acl	_	_
11	on	on	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	staff	staff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	_
14	hobbled	hobble	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	conj	_	_
15	out	out	ADP	RP	_	14	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **open** | past | the door |  |  |  |  | suddenly *property* | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **lean** | gerund | a ancient dame *not said here* |  |  | a staff |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent on staff=Location |
| 3 | **hobble out** | participle | a ancient dame |  |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- 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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