Some Verbal Alternations in Ewe

Abstract

Verbs which imply causative / inchoative alternation can occur as either one-place or two-place predicates. Such verbs are usually of change-of-state verbs. However, this paper identifies certain change-of-state verbs that do not take part in this alternation; importantly, it identifies alternations in which the object is not expressed. The unexpressed object alternations are of two types: the understood object and the unspecified object. Only a few verbs show the understood object alternation; they include mu „be drunk‟ and kpã „end, stop‟. Verbs that undergo the unspecified object alternation include verbs of “inherent directed motion”, verbs of “involuntary bodily processes” and verbs of “cries and movement”.