Universal #345

Legacy number: 345

 Number  344
 Original  If the order VS is dominant with transitive verbs, then it will be dominant with intransitive verbs as well.
 Standardized  IF the order VS is dominant with transitive verbs, THEN it will be dominant with intransitive verbs as well.
 Formula  VS (transitive verb) ⇒ VS (intransitive verb)
 Keywords  order, transitivity, subject
 Domain  syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  languages surveyed in Kozinsky 1981
 Source  Kozinsky 1981

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Discussion
Notes
In many languages, where the order VS is dominant with transitive and intransitive verbs, the frequency of SV order with transitive verbs is still higher than with intransitive ones (Kozinsky 1981).Possible rationale: Presentative/existential constructions are presumably more common with intransitive verbs, and they tend to be VS.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
In many languages, where the order VS is dominant with transitive and intransitive verbs, the frequency of SV order with transitive verbs is still higher than with intransitive ones (Kozinsky 1981).

Possible rationale: Presentative/existential constructions are presumably more common with intransitive verbs, and they tend to be VS.