Forums » ESL, Rules of English Grammar, Help and Games » ESL General English Grammar Questions » ergative verbs

ergative verbs
   Share on Facebook  
Inchoateknowledge  #245213  Thu, 13 Jul 06 11:39 AM
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 50 Contributor
Joined on Wed, May 3 2006
Senior Member (2,536)
Beep! Beep! :)
Mister Micawber  #245233  Thu, 13 Jul 06 12:26 PM

I think that ergatives are a subset of active (= 'non-passive') intransitive verbs.

The wind blew (active intransitive, not ergative)
The trees blew (ergative).
  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member (22,281)
SystemAdministratorTeachers
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
Marius Hancu  #245235  Thu, 13 Jul 06 12:36 PM
This discussion has some relevance:

"ergative verbs" ?
http://www.englishforums.com/English/EngativeVerbs/bmxqp/Post.htm

Other references for the eventual readers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergative_verb
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/ergative-verb.html
http://home.allgaeu.org/ndoell/work/ergativeverbs.htm
http://www20.uludag.edu.tr/~acan/studies/ergativpassive.htm
  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006
Montreal, Canada
Veteran Member (11,673)
Proficient Speaker
Inchoateknowledge  #245352  Thu, 13 Jul 06 08:15 PM
Thank you MM and MH.
  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service