> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/field-specific/10-attribute-value-matrices.md). # Attribute Value Matrices This article demonstrates typesetting attribute value matrices (AVMs), which are a practical way to present [feature structures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_structure) as a group of attributes and their corresponding values. ## Advisory notes on AVM packages for LaTeX This article uses the `avm` package, which was the preferred opinion for typesetting AVMs at the time this material was initially written. Unfortunately, the `avm` package is not distributed by TeX Live, meaning Overleaf users will have to upload a copy (`avm.sty`) into their projects. To address this, the [Overleaf Gallery project](https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/examples-of-attribute-value-matrices/fnrbcjztvjjv) that accompanies this article includes a copy of the `avm` package. An alternative to `avm`, the [`langsci-avm` package](https://ctan.org/pkg/langsci-avm?lang=en), is now available in TeX Live, making it directly accessible via Overleaf. However, due to syntax and feature differences, the `avm`-based examples in this article will not compile with `langsci-avm` and require some editing. See section 4.6 of the [`langsci-avm` documentation](http://mirrors.ctan.org/macros/latex/contrib/langsci-avm/langsci-avm.pdf) for guidance on migrating from `avm` to `langsci-avm`. ## Getting started Use the `avm` environment to create an attribute value matrix, as demonstrated in the following example: ```latex \documentclass{article} \usepackage{avm} \begin{document} \begin{avm} \[ cat\|subcat & \ \\ content & \[ relation & \bf bother\\ bothered & \@2 \\ soa-arg & \@3 \] \] \end{avm} \end{document} ``` This example produce the following output: ![An attribute value matrix typeset on Overleaf using LaTeX](/files/XyPOtiiG9jKCeGqbCOF9) \* To explore AVMs, open this [Overleaf project.](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/26428?id=113292459\&templateName=Example+project+demonstrating+attribute+value+matrices\&latexEngine=pdflatex\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2022.1\&mainFile=) ## Basic usage To typeset an attribute value matrix inside an `avm` environment there are a number of commands you need to know: * `\avmfont{\sc}`: changes the font used in the matrices, in this case to small caps. Any other [font family](/latex/fonts/01-font-sizes-families-and-styles.md) will work. The font size and [font typeface](/latex/fonts/02-font-typefaces.md) can also be declared here. * `\begin{avm}` and `\end{avm}`: these open and close the environment where the attribute value matrix will be created. * `\[` and `\]`: print the squared brackets that delimit parts of the matrix. Other brackets can also be used with the commands `\<`, `\>`, `\{` and `\}`. * `\\`: inserts a new line. * `&`: creates a column division within the same line. The following example demonstrates these: ```latex \documentclass{article} \usepackage{avm} \avmfont{\sc} \begin{document} \begin{avm} \[ subj & \[ pers & 3 \\ num & sg \\ gend & masc\\ pred & \rm ‘pro’ \]\\ pred & \rm ‘eat\q’\\ obj & \[ pers & 3 \\ num & pl \\ gend & fem \\ pred & \rm ‘pro’ \] \] \end{avm} \end{document} ``` This example produces the following output: ![An attribute value matrix typeset on Overleaf using LaTeX](/files/MnoZwVs16OpYocM5xvce) \* To explore AVMs, open this [Overleaf project.](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/26428?id=113292459\&templateName=Example+project+demonstrating+attribute+value+matrices\&latexEngine=pdflatex\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2022.1\&mainFile=) ## Unaligned columns Sometimes, when a row is too long, it may be convenient to use unaligned columns to improve output: ```latex \begin{avm} \[ \avmspan{system\|local\|content\; \@2} \\ qstore & \[det & \textnormal{forall} \\ restpar & \@2 \[para & \@1 \\ restr & \[reln & \textnormal{book} \\ inst & \@1 \] \] \] \] \end{avm} ``` This example produces the following output: ![An attribute value matrix typeset on Overleaf using LaTeX](/files/x6qoFQTyLcP39Zm0RSlG) The command `\avmspan{}` prevents column alignment for its argument, whilst the command `\;` inserts a horizontal blank space slightly longer than normal, creating a nice separator. \* To explore AVMs, open this [Overleaf project.](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/26428?id=113292459\&templateName=Example+project+demonstrating+attribute+value+matrices\&latexEngine=pdflatex\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2022.1\&mainFile=) ## Sort labels It is possible to add sort labels at the corners of a AVM. There are two possible styles. The first one is printing the labels inside the matrix: ```latex \avmsortfont{\it} \avmvalfont{\it} \begin{avm} \[ \asort{indexed-obj} index & \[\asort{index} variable & \@1 \[\asort{variable} per & 3rd \\ num & sing \\ gend & neut \] \\ restriction & \[\asort{psoa} relation & book \\ instance & \@1 \] \] \] \end{avm} ``` This code produces the following output: ![An attribute value matrix typeset on Overleaf using LaTeX](/files/ulKYDSAcfVqRWzm5SVGR) \* To explore AVMs, open this [Overleaf project.](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/26428?id=113292459\&templateName=Example+project+demonstrating+attribute+value+matrices\&latexEngine=pdflatex\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2022.1\&mainFile=) There are three new commands in this example: * `\avmsortfont{\it}`: sets the font type for the sort keys, italics in this case but other [font styles and sizes can be used](/latex/fonts/01-font-sizes-families-and-styles.md) * `\avmvalfont{\it}`: sets the font type for the values in the AVM, italics in this case. * `\asort{*key*}`: prints the sort `*key*`. It's also possible to overlap the sort label onto the previous column, as shown in the next example: ```latex \avmvalfont{\it} \avmsortfont{\it} \begin{avm} \sort{indexed-obj}{\[ index & \osort{index}{\[ variable & \@1 \osort{variable}{\[ per & 3rd \\ num & sing \\ gend & neut \]} \\ restriction & \osort{psoa}{\[relation & book \\ instance & \@1 \]} \]} \]} \end{avm} ``` This example produces the following output: ![An attribute value matrix typeset on Overleaf using LaTeX](/files/LWqJj2dpJdIVDvXQlfhS) \* To explore AVMs, open this [Overleaf project.](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/26428?id=113292459\&templateName=Example+project+demonstrating+attribute+value+matrices\&latexEngine=pdflatex\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2022.1\&mainFile=) There are two new commands: * `\sort{*label*}`: prints the `*label*`, taking up space in the column where it appears. * `\osort{*label*}`: overlaps the *label* without checking collisions or available space. ## Reference guide Available brackets in the **avm** package. | Command | Output | | ------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | `\{ \}` | ![AVMbraces.png](/files/kYyeC371FLBhHpqKmyPt) | | `\[ \]` | ![AVMbrackets.png](/files/J6f7YK4luKG79G7zjN61) | | `\< \>` | ![AVMchevrons.png](/files/vSd9UCix3xSq8zWVTou7) | ## Further reading For more information see * [The **avm** package documentation](http://nlp.stanford.edu/manning/tex/avm-doc.pdf) * [The **avm.sty** source code](http://nlp.stanford.edu/manning/tex/avm.sty) * [Font sizes, families, and styles](/latex/fonts/01-font-sizes-families-and-styles.md) * [Font typefaces](/latex/fonts/02-font-typefaces.md) * [Tables](/latex/figures-and-tables/01-tables.md) * [Brackets and Parentheses](/latex/mathematics/03-brackets-and-parentheses.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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