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Hanuman_2000 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Increase

Hello,

1. They have increased the price by 50%.

I could understand that the price of something has been increased by someone by some amount.

2. The price of oil increased.

3. Oil increased in price.

I am not able to understand (2) and (3).
How can an inanimate object do the increase in the price?
A passive form would make a sense.

Could any one explain (2) and (3)?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

hanuman_2000 How can an inanimate object do the increase in the price? This is a common feature of English with some actions. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the term, but CJ is bound to come along and remind me.

— Mister Micawber

  • hanuman_2000 How can an inanimate object do the increase in the price?
  • This is a common feature of English with some actions.
  • Unfortunately, I have forgotten the term, but CJ is bound to come along and remind me.
  • They raised the prices = The prices rose.
  • They sell the books for $20 = The books sell for $20.
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3 Answers
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hanuman_2000How can an inanimate object do the increase in the price?
This is a common feature of English with some actions. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the term, but CJ is bound to come along and remind me.

They raised the prices = The prices rose.
They sell the books for $20 = The books sell for $20.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergative_verb
Mister MicawberThey raised the prices = The prices rose.
'Raise' (transitive) and 'rise ('intransitive) are different verbs. They are not ergative.
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Right. I sensed something inappropriate about that example. I'll replace it with this:

I tasted the soup. The soup tasted good.
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