UsingEnglish.com

Ergative Verbs Definition

Ergative Verbs

Jump to: Definition | Related Entries |

Ergative verbs are found in sentences where the verb affects the subject:

The sun melted the butter.

Here, we have a sentence with a standard subject, a transitive verb and a direct object.

The butter melted.

Here, the subject was the object of the original sentence. The butter didn't melt itself- it required the heat of the sun. This is an ergative verb use, where the subject of the intransitive form of the verb would be the object of the transitive form of the verb.

See Also:

Auxiliary Verb; Ditransitive Verb; Dynamic Verb; Finite Verb; Inchoative Verb; Intransitive Verb; Irregular Verb; Middle Verb; Modal Verb; Performative Verb; Regular Verb; Stative Verb; Transitive Verb; Verbs; Verb Group; Verb Phrase; Main Verb; Parts of Speech

Category:

Verbs and Tenses

Related to 'Ergative Verbs'


Trustpilot