The Transformer Verbs: An Anlaysis of Ergative constructions in English and Spanish

Identifier:  TFG:4369

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG4369

Authors:  Jiménez Garrido, Miriam

Abstract:
Verb complementation is a broad topic of grammar since verbs are followed by different elements depending on their semantic and syntactic features (Swan, 2005). This paper deals with a specific type of construction: ergative constructions. The aim of the present study is to define and to analyze ergative constructions in English. Additionally, English ergative constructions are compared in general terms to the Spanish version of this type of constructions. Ergative constructions are similar in both languages as English and Spanish are nominative-accusative languages. Furthermore, 28 Spanish students of English were asked to answer different questions concerning transitivity, intransitivity and ergativity.