Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
ergative
Adjective
/ˈɜːrɡəˌtɪv/
Definition
Relating to a grammatical structure where the subject of an intransitive verb is treated the same as the object of a transitive verb, but different from the subject of a transitive verb.
Examples
- The ergative case is often used in languages such as Georgian or Inuit.
- In an ergative structure, the sentence ‘The dog chased the cat’ shows ‘the dog’ as the subject of a transitive verb.
- Learning about ergative languages can be fascinating for linguistics students.
Meaning
In terms of grammar, ergative refers to certain languages that mark the subject of an intransitive verb differently from the subject of a transitive verb, often indicating how actions are carried out by the subject.
Synonyms
- None (specific grammatical term with no direct synonyms)
