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Universal 172: Verb agreement: Erg ⇒ Abs

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 172: Verb agreement: Erg ⇒ Abs

Original
In languages with ergative/absolutive distinction, the frequency prediction holds: if the verb agrees with the ergative, then it agrees with the absolutive.
Standardized
When alignment is ergative/absolutive, IF the verb agrees with the ergative, THEN it agrees with the absolutive.
Keywords
agreement, verb, alignment, ergative, absolutive
Domain
inflection, syntax
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
languages mentioned in Croft 1990
Source
inferred from Croft 1990: 106
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    If absolutives were subjects, then this would but be an instantiation of the subject preference for verb agreement.

    1. May 2020

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