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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Ergative ing-form

It isn't worth reading the book.
The book isn't worth reading.

Is "reading" an ergative form of the verb?
  

Top answer

No, It's ergative in 'The book reads well'.

— Fivejedjon

  • No, It's ergative in 'The book reads well'.
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4 Answers
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No, It's ergative in 'The book reads well'.
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fivejedjonNo, It's ergative in 'The book reads well'.
Thank you for the reply.
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AnonymousIt isn't worth reading the book.The book isn't worth reading.Is "reading" an ergative form of the verb?
No. For that you need the subject "book" and the verb "read". The second sentence has the right subject but the main verb "isn't (worth)" blocks any interpretation of "read" as the verb that goes with "book".

CJ
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CalifJimNo. For that you need the subject "book" and the verb "read"
I see. Thank you for the reply.
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