Using transitive and intransitive verbs
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Using ergative verbs | page 2 of 10 |
A definition of ergative verbs
An ergative verb can be defined as any verb which can be
used transitively 
or intransitively with the same basic meaning. Compare the way
the ergative verb roll is used in these two examples:
Roger
rolled the boulder down the hill.The boulder rolled down the hill.
In the first example, it is clear that the boulder rolled down the hill because Roger
caused it to, so Roger can be seen as the "doer" of the action. In this sentence
rolled is being used transitively: the subject is Roger and the object is the boulder.
In the second example, only the action itself is represented, so it seems that the
boulder rolled down the hill of its own accord. In this sentence rolled is being
used intransitively: the subject is now The boulder - and there is no object 
.
We can see then that when an ergative verb is used intransitively it can take as its
subject the same person or thing that would be its object when used transitively ,
thus:
Roger rolled the boulder down the hill.
subject object
transitive The boulder rolled down the hill.
subjectintransitive
For further information about transitive verbs in general, see 
Using transitive and intransitive verbs: What is a transitive verb?
For further information about intransitive verbs in general, see Using transitive and intransitive verbs: What is an intransitive verb?
A definition of ergative verbs
