Unergative verb
Encyclopedia
An unergative verb is an intransitive verb
distinguished semantically by having an agent
subject
. For example, in English, run, talk and resign are unergative verbs (while fall and die are unaccusative
).
In ergative–absolutive languages, the ergative case
, which marks the subject
of transitive verb
s, usually represents the volitional
role (i.e., the agent
). But for unergative verbs, the subject is volitional and yet is not marked by the ergative.
Some languages treat unergative verbs distinctly from other intransitives in morphosyntactical terms. For example, in some Romance languages these verbs use different auxiliaries when forming the compound tenses. See the article on unaccusative verb
s for details.
Besides the above, unergative verbs differ from unaccusative verbs in the fact that, in some languages, they can be passivized
to a limited extent.
In Dutch
for example, unergatives take hebben (to have) in the perfect tenses:
In such cases a transition to an impersonal passive construction is possible using the adverb er (that functions as a dummy subject) and the passive auxiliary worden
By contrast, ergative verbs take zijn (to be) in the perfect tenses.
In this case no passive construction with worden is possible. In other words, unergatives are truly intransitive, ergatives are not.
Intransitive verb
In grammar, an intransitive verb is a verb that has no object. This differs from a transitive verb, which takes one or more objects. Both classes of verb are related to the concept of the transitivity of a verb....
distinguished semantically by having an agent
Agent (grammar)
In linguistics, a grammatical agent is the cause or initiator of an event. Agent is the name of the thematic role...
subject
Subject (grammar)
The subject is one of the two main constituents of a clause, according to a tradition that can be tracked back to Aristotle and that is associated with phrase structure grammars; the other constituent is the predicate. According to another tradition, i.e...
. For example, in English, run, talk and resign are unergative verbs (while fall and die are unaccusative
Unaccusative verb
In linguistics, an unaccusative verb is an intransitive verb whose subject is not a agent; that is, it does not actively initiate, or is not actively responsible for, the action of the verb. Unaccusative verbs thus contrast with unergative verbs...
).
In ergative–absolutive languages, the ergative case
Ergative case
The ergative case is the grammatical case that identifies the subject of a transitive verb in ergative-absolutive languages.-Characteristics:...
, which marks the subject
Subject (grammar)
The subject is one of the two main constituents of a clause, according to a tradition that can be tracked back to Aristotle and that is associated with phrase structure grammars; the other constituent is the predicate. According to another tradition, i.e...
of transitive verb
Transitive verb
In syntax, a transitive verb is a verb that requires both a direct subject and one or more objects. The term is used to contrast intransitive verbs, which do not have objects.-Examples:Some examples of sentences with transitive verbs:...
s, usually represents the volitional
Volition (linguistics)
In linguistics, volition refers to a distinction that is made in some languages' verb conjugations or case assignment to express whether the subject intended the action or not, or whether it was done voluntarily or accidentally....
role (i.e., the agent
Agent (grammar)
In linguistics, a grammatical agent is the cause or initiator of an event. Agent is the name of the thematic role...
). But for unergative verbs, the subject is volitional and yet is not marked by the ergative.
Some languages treat unergative verbs distinctly from other intransitives in morphosyntactical terms. For example, in some Romance languages these verbs use different auxiliaries when forming the compound tenses. See the article on unaccusative verb
Unaccusative verb
In linguistics, an unaccusative verb is an intransitive verb whose subject is not a agent; that is, it does not actively initiate, or is not actively responsible for, the action of the verb. Unaccusative verbs thus contrast with unergative verbs...
s for details.
Besides the above, unergative verbs differ from unaccusative verbs in the fact that, in some languages, they can be passivized
Passive voice
Passive voice is a grammatical voice common in many of the world's languages. Passive is used in a clause whose subject expresses the theme or patient of the main verb. That is, the subject undergoes an action or has its state changed. A sentence whose theme is marked as grammatical subject is...
to a limited extent.
In Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
for example, unergatives take hebben (to have) in the perfect tenses:
- Ik telefoneer - ik heb getelefoneerd.
- "I call (by phone). - I have called."
In such cases a transition to an impersonal passive construction is possible using the adverb er (that functions as a dummy subject) and the passive auxiliary worden
- Er wordt door Jan getelefoneerd.
- "*There is by Jan telephoned." (i. e. "A telephone call by Jan is going on.")
By contrast, ergative verbs take zijn (to be) in the perfect tenses.
- Het vet stolt - het vet is gestold
- "The grease solidifies - The grease has solidified."
In this case no passive construction with worden is possible. In other words, unergatives are truly intransitive, ergatives are not.
See also
- Unaccusative verbUnaccusative verbIn linguistics, an unaccusative verb is an intransitive verb whose subject is not a agent; that is, it does not actively initiate, or is not actively responsible for, the action of the verb. Unaccusative verbs thus contrast with unergative verbs...
- Ergative verbErgative verbIn linguistics, an ergative verb is a verb that can be either transitive or intransitive, and whose subject when intransitive corresponds to its direct object when transitive.-In English:...
- Accusative verbAccusative verbAn accusative verb is a verb that can be used transitively or intransitively, with the subject of the transitive verb becoming the argument of the intransitive verb. Some examples in English are eat, see, win.-See also:*Unaccusative verb...
- Ambitransitive verbAmbitransitive verbAn ambitransitive verb is a verb that can be used both as intransitive or as transitive without requiring a morphological change. That is, the same verb form may or may not require a direct object. English has a large number of ambitransitive verbs; examples include read, break, and understand An...