LoginErgative Verbs
This lesson delves into the complexities of ergative verbs, exploring their roles in different grammatical structures and contexts. It offers comprehensive explanations, advanced exercises, and a quiz.
What Are Ergative Verbs?
Ergative verbs (also known as labile verbs or ambivalent verbs) are verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive, with the condition that the object of the transitive form must be the same as the subject of the intransitive form.
What Are Ergative Verbs Used for?
In an ergative verb use, the subject of the intransitive verb would be the object of the transitive form of the verb. This means that the intransitive form expresses a passive meaning while the transitive form identifies an active agent causing the object to undergo the action of the verb. This creates the opportunity to form sentences that focus on different elements and aspects of the action. Take a look at these examples:
I rang the bell.
This sentence identifies someone as the does of the action and expresses an active meaning.
The bell rang.
This sentence focuses on the ringing of the bell rather than a person performing the action
I am cooking lasagna.
The lasagna is cooking.
The heat melted the snow.
The snow melted.
Tip!
Remember that the object of a transitive verb, which becomes the subject of an intransitive verb, usually refers to an inanimate object or a thing, not a person.
Common Ergative Verbs
Common ergative verbs in English are:
Verbs of transformation or change | Verbs of cooking | Verbs of transportation | Verbs of movement |
|---|---|---|---|
break | bake | drive | walk |
transform | boil | fly | shake |
burst | cook | reverse | turn |
form | fry | run | move |
heal | sail | sweep | |
melt | |||
tear |
Take a look at some examples:
The pilot flew the plane.
The plane flew in the sky.
We grew some tasty corns.
The corns were growing well.
Warning!
A lot of English verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively, but not all of them are ergative. The condition that the object of the transitive form be the same as the subject of the intransitive form is the distinguishing mark of ergative verbs. In the examples below, "read" is not an ergative verb, since the subject is the same in both sentences and the difference lies in specification of the object in the second sentence. Such verbs are called ambitransitive.
He was reading.
"read" as an intransitive verb
He was reading the newspaper.
"read" as a transitive verb. You can't say "The newspaper is reading." because "read" is not an ergative verb.
Ergative Verbs Vs. Passive Voice
While the intransitive form of ergative verbs and passive sentences both allow the object of a transitive verb to become the subject, they have fundamental differences.
The passive requires a grammatical change (auxiliary + past participle) and the agent can be added at the end of the sentence, while the intransitive ergative does not allow identification of the agent and keeps the same verb form. Compare the examples:
The window was broken (by the storm).
The window broke.
(No agent implied, no auxiliary verb.)
Review
Ergative verbs can be both transitive and intransitive verbs. The object of the transitive form is the same as the subject of the intransitive form. Common ergative verbs in English are:
break
bake
fly
move
sail
Quiz:
Select all the ergative verbs from the list. (Select five.)
boil
give
eat
tear
fly
sing
write
heal
need
move
Turn each transitive sentence into its intransitive ergative counterpart and vice versa.
She
. → The water boiled.
They flew the kite. →
.
He
. → The chocolate melted.
The wind shook the trees. →
.
I burned the paper. →
.
What distinguishes ergative verbs from ambitransitive verbs?
They always require an object.
They cannot be made passive.
They cannot describe actions.
The transitive object becomes the intransitive subject.
Choose the sentence that does not use an ergative verb:
He broke the vase.
The children ate the cookies.
The sun melted the ice.
The storm sank the boat.
Choose whether each sentence is using an ergative verb or the passive voice.
The boat sank. | |
The bread was baked. | |
The door was opened by John. | |
The cookies burned. | |
The glass broke. |
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