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Raia Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Passive/active voice?
Hello all,
I wonder why we don't use passive voice speaking about software and computers, e.g. "application starts", "when window opens", "server runs".
1. Is it a rule or an exception? And what rule should I follow?
To use these constructions correctly, I need to be able to explain them to myself, but I'm just copying them as they are (which is not a good idea).
I wonder why we don't use passive voice speaking about software and computers, e.g. "application starts", "when window opens", "server runs".
1. Is it a rule or an exception? And what rule should I follow?
To use these constructions correctly, I need to be able to explain them to myself, but I'm just copying them as they are (which is not a good idea).
Top answer
Many verbs are ergative (that is, they can be either transitive or intransitive): They sell these watches for $10. These watches sell for $10. The intransitive form is shorter and more direct.
- Many verbs are ergative (that is, they can be either transitive or intransitive): They sell these watches for $10.
- These watches sell for $10.
- The intransitive form is shorter and more direct.
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2 Answers
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Many verbs are ergative (that is, they can be either transitive or intransitive):
They sell these watches for $10.
These watches sell for $10.
The intransitive form is shorter and more direct.
They sell these watches for $10.
These watches sell for $10.
The intransitive form is shorter and more direct.
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Thanks a lot for the answer! This information was new for me. Now I'm reading about ergative verbs 
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