Unergative verb

Definition

Unergative verb is a special kind of intransitive verb. Semantically, unergative verbs have a subject perceived as actively initiating or actively responsible for the action expressed by the verb.

Example

In English run, talk and resign are unergative verbs. In syntax, unergative verbs are characterized as verbs with an external argument. See unaccusative verb.

Links

• Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics

References

• Burzio, L. 1986. Italian Syntax, Reidel, Dordrecht.
• Perlmutter, D. & P. Postal 1984. The 1-Advancement Exclusiveness Law, in:D. Perlmutter & C. Rosen (eds.) Studies in Relational Grammar 2, 81-126, University of Chicago Press:Chicago.

STUB

CAT	This article needs proper categorization. You can help Glottopedia by categorizing it Please do not remove this block until the problem is fixed.