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Ergative Verbs

The document discusses transitive and intransitive verbs. Transitive verbs can take both an active and passive voice, while intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive voice. Ergative verbs are divided into categories including verbs of change of state, cooking, movement, and vehicles. Examples of verbs that can be used transitively or intransitively are provided along with their active and passive forms in the transitive case. Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object or have a passive form.

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1K views1 page

Ergative Verbs

The document discusses transitive and intransitive verbs. Transitive verbs can take both an active and passive voice, while intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive voice. Ergative verbs are divided into categories including verbs of change of state, cooking, movement, and vehicles. Examples of verbs that can be used transitively or intransitively are provided along with their active and passive forms in the transitive case. Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object or have a passive form.

Uploaded by

Manuel Skaroulis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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can be used both transitively and intransitively.

The subject of the intransitive verb is the same as the object of the transitive verb.

When used intransitively they cannot take the passive voice.


Ergative verbs can be divided into several categories: Verbs suggesting a change of state: break, burst, form, heal, melt, tear,
transform, change / Verbs of cooking: bake, boil, cook, fry / Verbs of movement: move, shake, sweep, turn, walk / Verbs involving
vehicles: drive, fly, reverse, run, sail / Some other verbs: play, marry, calm down, qualify…
accelerate crash peel split
accumulate decrease play spread
adjust detach plunge squeeze
age develop pour stall
assimilate dissolve qualify start
awake divide radiate stop
bake double reflect straighten
balance drive reform strengthen
beat drop refuel stretch
begin eat register sweep
bend empty relax tear
blow end rest terminate
boil evaporate redouble thaw
assimilate expand reflect thicken
break fill reform thin
brighten finish restart tighten
bruise flatten return touch
buckle heal rotate transfer
build up ignite run translate
burn incline sell triple
burst increase separate turn
change integrate settle unfold
clear lower shorten unroll
close march shut unzip
combine marinate sink vibrate
compress marry slide weaken
connect melt slow down widen
contribute mix sound withdraw
cook move speed up worsen
cool open spill wrinkle up
condense operate spin
co-ordinate overheat splash

VERB TRANSITIVE (verb has an object) INTRASITIVE (verb has no object)


close John closed the door. The door closed.
boil Mike boiled a pan of water. The pan of water boiled.
break I broke the glass. The glass broke.
change Susan changed her attitude. Susan’s attitude changed.
stop He stopped his car. The car stopped.
play They were playing football.. They played well.
eat I was eating a sandwich. Don’t talk while you’re eating.

Intransitive verbs do not have a passive form. Intransitive verbs do not have a direct object after them.
The subject is doing the action of the verb and nothing receives the action.
Active form Passive form
Transitive - He closed the door. The door was closed (by him).
Intransitive - The door closed. ----- (no passive) / We do not know who closed the door.

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