Definition
Agent is the semantic role of a person or thing who is the doer of an event.
Discussion
An agent is usually the grammatical subject of the verb in an active clause. A prototypical agent is conscious, acts with volition (on purpose), and performs an action that has a physical, visible effect.
Examples
(English)
- The boy ran down the street.
- He was chased by the dog.
Sources 2
- Larson 1984, 199–203
- Longacre 1983, 156–157