---
title: straw — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «straw» in the school dictionary: Straw is the dry yellow stalks of plants like wheat, used for animal beds or to make hats and baskets. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# straw

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Straw, thin tube, last straw, last small problem, you, box · **What happens:** be, use, make, drink, lose, draw · **To what, where:** dry yellow stalks, hats, thin tube, last small problem, you, patience · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«straw» in the school dictionary: its 4 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: [straw in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/straw.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Straw is the dry yellow stalks of plants like wheat, used for animal beds or to make hats and baskets.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:m1:1
# text = Straw is the dry yellow stalks of plants like wheat, used for animal beds or to make hats and baskets.
1	Straw	straw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
4	dry	dry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
5	yellow	yellow	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	stalks	stalk	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	plants	plant	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
9	like	like	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	wheat	wheat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	conj	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	animal	animal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	compound	_	_
15	beds	bed	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	obl	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
17	to	to	PART	TO	_	18	mark	_	_
18	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	12	conj	_	_
19	hats	hat	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	18	obj	_	_
20	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	21	cc	_	_
21	baskets	basket	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	19	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Straw | the dry yellow stalks |  |  |  | of plants like wheat | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle | Straw *not said here* |  |  |  |  | for animal beds | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **make** | to-infinitive | Straw *not said here* | hats and baskets |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset hat=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 -->
A straw is a thin tube for drinking.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:m2:1
# text = A straw is a thin tube for drinking.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	straw	straw	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	thin	thin	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	tube	tube	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
8	drinking	drink	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a straw | a thin tube |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **drink** | gerund | a thin tube *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«The last straw» is the last small problem that makes you lose patience.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:m3:1
# text = «The last straw» is the last small problem that makes you lose patience.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	last	last	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	straw	straw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
8	last	last	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
9	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
11	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	12	nsubj	_	_
12	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	acl:relcl	_	_
13	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	obj	_	_
14	lose	lose	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	12	xcomp	_	_
15	patience	patience	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the last straw | the last small problem |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | present | the last small problem | you |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **lose** | infinitive | you *not said here* | patience |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent patience=Eventuality |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To draw straws is to choose by picking from straws of different lengths.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:m4:1
# text = To draw straws is to choose by picking from straws of different lengths.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	draw	draw	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	6	advcl	_	_
3	straws	straw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	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	choose	choose	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
8	picking	pick	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
9	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	straws	straw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	_
11	of	of	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	different	different	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	lengths	length	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **draw** | to-infinitive |  | straws |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent straw=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | choose *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **pick** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | from straws of different lengths | vn chew-39.2 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent from straw=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A box has 100 straws.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x1:1
# text = A box has 100 straws.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	box	box	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	100	100	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	straws	straw	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 | a box | 100 straws |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent straw=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Each child used 2 straws.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x2:1
# text = Each child used 2 straws.
1	Each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	2	det	_	_
2	child	child	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	2	2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	straws	straw	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 | **use** | participle | each child | 2 straws |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent straw=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The farmer has 30 bales of straw.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x3:1
# text = The farmer has 30 bales of straw.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	farmer	farmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	30	30	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	bales	bale	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	straw	straw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the farmer | 30 bales of straw |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bale=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She bought 4 packs of 25 straws.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x4:1
# text = She bought 4 packs of 25 straws.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	bought	buy	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	packs	pack	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	25	25	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	straws	straw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **buy** | past | She | 4 packs of 25 straws |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pack=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The first little pig built his house of straw.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x5:1
# text = The first little pig built his house of straw.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
2	first	first	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	4	amod	_	_
3	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	pig	pig	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	straw	straw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | past | the first little pig | pig's house of straw |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent house=Product |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The horse sleeps on a bed of straw.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x6:1
# text = The horse sleeps on a bed of straw.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	horse	horse	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	sleeps	sleep	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	bed	bed	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	straw	straw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sleep** | present | the horse |  |  | a bed of straw |  |  | vn snooze-40.4-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Paper straws are better for the ocean than plastic ones.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x7:1
# text = Paper straws are better for the ocean than plastic ones.
1	Paper	paper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	straws	straw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	better	good	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	0	root	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	ocean	ocean	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
8	than	than	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	plastic	plastic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	ones	one	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Paper straws |  |  |  |  | for the ocean; than plastic ones; good *property* | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We drew straws to see who would go first.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x8:1
# text = We drew straws to see who would go first.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	drew	draw	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	straws	straw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	see	see	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
7	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
8	go	go	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	ccomp	_	_
9	first	first	ADV	RB	NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	8	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **draw** | past | We | straws |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent straw=Theme |
| 2 | **see** | to-infinitive | We *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V how S\_INF»: agent=Experiencer clause=Stimulus |
| 3 | **go** | would |  |  |  |  |  | first *property* | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Soon the straw hut was ready.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:straw:x9:1
# text = Soon the straw hut was ready.
1	Soon	soon	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	6	advmod	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	straw	straw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	hut	hut	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
5	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	ready	ready	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the straw hut |  |  |  |  | ready, soon *property* | tree rules |

<!-- 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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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