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Universal 1140:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 1140:

Original
Passive constructions without morphology on the verb are rare or non-existent.
Standardized
IF there is a passive construction, THEN the verb is morphologically marked (vis-à-vis a basic, active construction).
Keywords
diathesis, voice
Domain
inflection, syntax
Type
no genuine implication; rather: provided that
Status
achronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
79 languages from the GRAMCATS database, see Haspelmath 1990: 71-72
Source
Haspelmath 1990: 27, 62
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    1. Haspelmath: 1990: 27: a construction is called passive if: (i) the active subject corresponds either to a non-obligatory oblique phrase or to nothing; and (ii) the active direct object (if any) corresponds to the subject of the passive; and (iii) the construction is somehow restricted vis-à-vis another unrestricted construction (the active), e.g. less frequent, functionally specialized, not fully productive. 2. Cf. #1563.

    1. May 2020

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