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Inchoateknowledge Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

ergative verbs

The windows smashed.
1.Non-passive intransitive form of the verb 'smash' is used in the sentence.
2.Ergative form of the verb 'smash' is used in the sentence.

My question: are sentence1. and 2. logically equivalent.
I mean, does 'non-passive intransitive form' and 'ergative form' equal in meaning, are they interchangeable?

  

Top answer

I think that ergatives are a subset of active (= 'non-passive') intransitive verbs. The wind blew (active intransitive, not ergative) The trees blew (ergative).

— Mister Micawber

  • I think that ergatives are a subset of active (= 'non-passive') intransitive verbs.
  • The wind blew (active intransitive, not ergative) The trees blew (ergative).
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3 Answers
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I think that ergatives are a subset of active (= 'non-passive') intransitive verbs.

The wind blew (active intransitive, not ergative)
The trees blew (ergative).
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This discussion has some relevance:

"ergative verbs" ?


Other references for the eventual readers:

http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/ergative-verb.html
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