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1. Ergative Verbs

2. Ergative Verbs
Some verbs can be used as transitive verbs
to focus on the person who performs the
action, and as intransitive verbs to focus on
the thing affected by the action.
When I opened the door, there was Laverne.
Suddenly the door opened.

3. Ergative Verbs
Note: The object of the transitive verb, in this
case ‘the door’, is the subject of the
intransitive verb. Verbs like these are called
‘ergative’ verbs.
When I opened the door, there was Laverne.
Suddenly the door opened.

4. Ergative Verbs
Ergative verbs often refer to:
• changes
begin dry improve
start break end
increase stop change
finish slow tear
crack grow

5. Ergative Verbs
I broke the glass.
The glass broke all over the floor.
The driver stopped the car.
A big car stopped.

6. Ergative Verbs
• cooking
bake cook fry
roast boil defrost
melt simmer

7. Ergative Verbs
I’ ve boiled an egg.
The porridge is boiling.
I’ m cooking spaghetti.
The rice is cooking.

8. Ergative Verbs
• position or movement
balance move rock
stand stand close
open shake turn
drop rest

9. Ergative Verbs
She rested her head on her shoulder.
Her head rested on the table.
An explosion shook the hotel.
The whole room shook.

10. Ergative Verbs
• vehicles
back drive reverse
sail crash fly
run

11. Ergative Verbs
He had crashed the car twice.
Her car crashed into a tree.
She sailed her yacht round the world.
The ship sailed on Monday.

12. Ergative Verbs
Some verbs can be used in these two ways
only with a small set of nouns. For example,
you can say ‘He fired a gun’ or ‘The gun
fired’. You can do the same with other
words referring to types of gun, ‘cannon’,
‘pistol’, or ‘rifle’. However, although you can
say ‘He fired a bullet’, you cannot say ‘The
bullet fired’.

13. Ergative Verbs
catch: belt, cloth, clothing, dress, shirt,
trousers
fire: cannon, gun, pistol, rifle
play: guitar, music, piano, violin
ring: alarm, bell
show: anger, disappointment, emotions,
fear, joy
sound: alarm, bell, horn

14. Ergative Verbs
I caught my dress on the fence.
My tights caught on a nail.
A car was sounding its horn.
A horn sounded in the night.

15. Ergative Verbs
A few verbs can be used in both ways, but
need an adverbial when they are used
without an object.
clean handle polish
stain freeze mark
sell wash

16. Ergative Verbs
He sells books.
This book is selling well.
She had handled a machine gun.
This car handles very nicely.

17. Questions?
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