---
title: subsurface — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «subsurface» in the school dictionary: Subsurface means lying or happening just below a surface, such as under the ground, the sea or the skin. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# subsurface

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Subsurface, Scientists, Europa, Subsurface water, robot, bruise · **What happens:** mean, lie, happen, be, think, have · **To what, where:** surface, layer, subsurface ocean, ice, the, subsurface · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Subsurface means lying or happening just below a surface, such as under the ground, the sea or the skin.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:m1:1
# text = Subsurface means lying or happening just below a surface, such as under the ground, the sea or the skin.
1	Subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	lying	lie	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	xcomp	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	happening	happen	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	conj	_	_
6	just	just	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
7	below	below	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	surface	surface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
11	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=ADP	15	case	_	_
12	as	as	ADP	IN	_	11	fixed	_	_
13	under	under	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	ground	ground	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
17	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
18	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	21	cc	_	_
20	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
21	skin	skin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Subsurface |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **lie** *not said to happen* | gerund | Subsurface *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **happen** | gerund | Subsurface *not said here* | a surface  the sea or the skin |  |  |  | such the ground | 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 -->
The subsurface is the layer under the surface.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:m2:1
# text = The subsurface is the layer under the surface.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	under	under	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	surface	surface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	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 | the subsurface | the layer |  | the surface |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Scientists think Europa has a subsurface ocean under its ice.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:x1:1
# text = Scientists think Europa has a subsurface ocean under its ice.
1	Scientists	scientist	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	think	think	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	Europa	Europa	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	ccomp	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	ocean	ocean	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
8	under	under	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	ice	ice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **think** *speech: other* | present | Scientists |  |  |  |  |  | vn consider-29.9-2 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 2 | **have** | present | Europa | a subsurface ocean |  | ocean's ice |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent ocean=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Subsurface water feeds the well.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:x2:1
# text = Subsurface water feeds the well.
1	Subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	feeds	feed	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	obj	_	_
5	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **feed** | present | Subsurface water | the |  |  |  | well *property* | vn feeding-39.7 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent the=Recipient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The robot scanned the subsurface for old pipes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:x3:1
# text = The robot scanned the subsurface for old pipes.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	robot	robot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	scanned	scan	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	subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	pipes	pipe	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **scan** | past | the robot | the subsurface |  |  |  | for old pipes | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Agent subsurface=Theme for pipe=Attribute |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Subsurface rock can be studied with drills.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:x4:1
# text = Subsurface rock can be studied with drills.
1	Subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	rock	rock	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
4	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	studied	study	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	drills	drill	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **study** | can · passive |  | Subsurface rock |  |  |  | with drills | vn learn-14-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The bruise was a subsurface injury under the skin.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:x5:1
# text = The bruise was a subsurface injury under the skin.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	bruise	bruise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	injury	injury	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	under	under	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	skin	skin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the bruise | a subsurface injury |  | the skin |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Geologists mapped the subsurface before the tunnel was dug.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subsurface:x6:1
# text = Geologists mapped the subsurface before the tunnel was dug.
1	Geologists	geologist	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	mapped	map	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	subsurface	subsurface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	tunnel	tunnel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	dug	dig	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **map** | past | Geologists | the subsurface |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **dig** | past · passive |  | the tunnel |  |  |  |  | vn poke-19-1-1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: subject=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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