ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G02-004 · ATLAS 259

Accusative alignment

Accusative alignment treats the sole core participant of an intransitive verb, S, like the more agent-like participant of a transitive verb, A, and differently from its more patient-like participant, P, in a specified grammatical property.

Part of the subject path Syntax and Grammar

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Accusative alignment adds the grouping of S with A against P as a typological comparison. Alignment must be stated for a particular grammatical property rather than assumed for the entire language.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Nominative–accusative alignment groups the sole core argument of an intransitive predicate (S) with the more agent-like argument of a transitive predicate (A), distinguishing them from its more patient-like argument (P). The pattern must be specified for a domain: case, verbal person marking or syntactic behaviour. A case pattern does not automatically establish the same alignment in every domain. Pronouns and full noun phrases can also differ. What matters is the distribution of forms and functions, not an assumption that every subject acts intentionally.

Movement of thought

1. Compare intransitive and transitive constructions. 2. Identify S, A and P. 3. Specify the domain of marking. 4. Check splits by form type and construction.

Scientific use case

A language description could construct separate S/A/P paradigms for pronouns and full noun phrases.

Example

Constructed using the English pronominal pattern: We arrived; we saw them; they saw us. We marks S and A, whereas us marks P.

Counterexample

English you has no corresponding form contrast here. One pronoun cannot determine the classification of the entire case system.

Distinction

Accusative alignment, accusative case and active voice belong to different descriptive levels.

Effect on thought and perception

The comparison reveals which participants receive the same grammatical treatment.

Resonance

Different events share a form when their participants occupy the same grammatical place.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Accusative alignment“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G02-004. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-004

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-004

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.