could any one please explain the grammatical term : ERGATIVE verb

4 answers

http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/ergative-verb.html

It looks as if this is a term for verbs in passive form.

John ate the hamburger. (standard active form)
The hamburger was eaten by John. (passive verb; ergative verb since the verb's action had an effect on the subject)
Keep in mind that not all passive verbs will be ergative verbs.

Here are passive structures that are not ergative:
~It has been said that the weather is in a la niƱa pattern.
~He has been called a gruff disciplinarian in the past.

Here are passive structures that are ergative:
~The baseball was hit out of the park.
~The television was smashed by the hammer.
thank you verymuch writeacher for clarifying my query on ergative verb which indicates that it could be used both transitively and intransitively eg : the door broke. thanks a lot
You're welcome.
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