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KhoshtipMan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Verbs in English
We have some verbs that have two types of meanings (in this case). For example, open and change.
Open means A: Make open B: Become open
That is, we can identify which one is meant just within a context.
But my question is something else. Have all the verbs in English these two types of meanings?
For example, enlarge also has those two types of meanings, make enlarge and become enlarge. But I'm not sure all the verbs can have these two types of meanings.
For example. reduce seems not to have those two types of meanings.
Open means A: Make open B: Become open
That is, we can identify which one is meant just within a context.
But my question is something else. Have all the verbs in English these two types of meanings?
For example, enlarge also has those two types of meanings, make enlarge and become enlarge. But I'm not sure all the verbs can have these two types of meanings.
For example. reduce seems not to have those two types of meanings.
Top answer
I don't really understand your question. There are several classifications of English verbs. A particular verb can be in one or more of these classes.
- I don't really understand your question.
- There are several classifications of English verbs.
- A particular verb can be in one or more of these classes.
- ) The window opened.
- He opened the window.
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33 Answers
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I don't really understand your question. There are several classifications of English verbs. A particular verb can be in one or more of these classes. For example,
Open can be considered an ergative verb (where the verb affects the subject.)
The window opened.
He opened the window.
Or an inchoative verb, which describes a change in state.
The window opened.
Open can be considered an ergative verb (where the verb affects the subject.)
The window opened.
He opened the window.
Or an inchoative verb, which describes a change in state.
The window opened.
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Thank you very much Alpheca. Yes, I meant the ergative verbs.
Let me re-explain and extent my question.
1- We have some verbs that are ergative, e.g., open, enlarge, change, buy etc. Aren't all verbs in English ergative?
2- Some verbs like, reduce does not seen to be ergative. What is the name of them?
3- How to use a non-ergative verb
Let me re-explain and extent my question.
1- We have some verbs that are ergative, e.g., open, enlarge, change, buy etc. Aren't all verbs in English ergative?
2- Some verbs like, reduce does not seen to be ergative. What is the name of them?
3- How to use a non-ergative verb
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KhoshtipMan1- We have some verbs that are ergative, e.g., open, enlarge, change, buy etc. Aren't all verbs in English ergative?No. And "buy" is not ergative.
You are talking about transitive and intransitive verbs.
"Buy" is transitive. It can be ditransitive.
He bought ( me) a ring.
"Read" can be transitive, intransitive, or dit
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No, I'm not asking about transitive verbs. My meaning is ergative ones.
Lets concentrate on the verbs "reduce" and "open":
1-a) He opens the door. It means he makes the door be opened. (make opened)
1-b) The door opens. This means it's the door that opens itself. (become opened)
2-a) He reduces the speed of the car. (make reduced)
2-b) The spee
Lets concentrate on the verbs "reduce" and "open":
1-a) He opens the door. It means he makes the door be opened. (make opened)
1-b) The door opens. This means it's the door that opens itself. (become opened)
2-a) He reduces the speed of the car. (make reduced)
2-b) The spee
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If you take your foot off the gas, the speed of the car reduces / lessens / decreases / goes down.
Those are all perfectly OK.
Those are all perfectly OK.
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AlpheccaStarsI don't really understand your question. There are several classifications of English verbs. A particular verb can be in one or more of these classes. For example,If my reading is correct, I think the poster was talkign about passive and active meaning.
The room was getting too warm and smoky so John opened the all the windows.
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KhoshtipManNo.HaveDo all the verbs in English have these two types of meanings?
See
See
See
CJ
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CalifJimKhoshtipManHave Do all the verbs in English have these two types of meanings?CJ, mine was the British style
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KhoshtipManmine was the British styleI assumed that; however, I don't think that even the British use that form in that kind of sentence. Let's wait for someone who speaks BrE to confirm or deny my suspicions.
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AlpheccaStarsIf you take your foot off the gas, the speed of the car reduces / lessens / decreases / goes down.So "reduce" is also ergative! Could you please say some verbs that are not ergative?
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