Actual and potential events
Actual and potential events
Most ergative verbs can be used to indicate events that have taken place (actual events), or events that might take place (potential events). An example of an actual event is:
Examples of potential events are:The glass broke.
This kind of glass tends to break in cold weather.
This kind of glass breaks easily.
This cream smells clean and fresh, and applies easily.
After you have stepped from a warm bath, apply the cream evenly over your body.
These eye shadows won't fade or crease and contain herbal extracts to soften the skin in this delicate area.
Ultraviolet light will fade the colours in organic materials.