Meaning of decausativize | Babel Free

Definitions

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

Examples

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

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

“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).”

CEFR level