Universal #1151

Legacy number: 1151

 Number  1147
 Original  If a language has two or more basic passives they are likely to differ semantically with respect to the aspect ranges they cover.
 Standardized  If there are two or more coexisting basic passives they are likely to differ semantically with respect to the aspect ranges they cover.
 Keywords  diathesis, passive, aspect
 Domain  inflection, syntax
 Type  no genuine implication; rather: provided that
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  languages in Keenan 1985a
 Source  Keenan 1985a: 267

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Discussion
Notes
Basic passives. Main features:(i) no agent phrase is present,(ii) the main verb (in its non-passive form) is transitive,(iii) the main verb expresses an activity, taking agent subjects and patient objects.Not genuinely IF-THEN, rather PROVIDED ...?Or is the claim as follows?IF co-existing passives differ in anything other than aspect, THEN there will also be co-existing passives differing in aspect.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Basic passives. Main features:

(i) no agent phrase is present,
(ii) the main verb (in its non-passive form) is transitive,
(iii) the main verb expresses an activity, taking agent subjects and patient objects.

Not genuinely IF-THEN, rather PROVIDED ...?
Or is the claim as follows?
IF co-existing passives differ in anything other than aspect, THEN there will also be co-existing passives differing in aspect.