Decausativize

Quick meaning: Decausativize is a verb meaning (linguistics, of a causative verb) To function in manner that is not causative (e.g. The causative verb "melt" in He melts the ice decausativizes in The ice melts).

Meaning

(linguistics, of a causative verb) To function in manner that is not causative (e.g. The causative verb "melt" in He melts the ice decausativizes in The ice melts).

Example Sentences

Now I am ready to answer the first question — which causative verbs decausativize and which don't.

Levin and Rappaport (1995) argue that causative verbs can decausativize when the eventualities described come about spontaneously without the external intervention of an agent.

Conversely, in order to decausativize, the non-causative event must be be^([sic]) able to occur without an external cause (unlike, for example, being cut or being amused, which require an agent or instrument).

Word Forms

• decausativizes
• decausativizing
• decausativized
• decausativise

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