Active-stative languages differ from accusative and ergative languages; they distinguish two basic types of verbs: stative verbs, i.e. verbs expressing states (being sick), and active verbs, i.e. verbs expressing actions (running). In active-stative languages, or split-intransitive languages, the single argument of an intransitive clause (subject) is (often) marked like the agent of a transitive verb (subject) or like a direct object. Van Valin (1977) puts it this way: The distinction between stative and active verbs (in Lakhota) "is explicitly expressed in the coding of 'subjects' and 'objects': the 'subjects' of stative verbs have the same pronominal forms as the 'objects" of transitive active verbs, while the 'subjects' of intransitive active verbs have the same form as those of transitive active verbs."

For a more detailed discussion of active-stative alignment with regard to Lakhota please refer to the article Lakhota, a split-intransitive (active-stative) language.

North American active-stative languages

Arikara (Ree), Assiniboine, Athapaskan, Biloxi (†), Caddo, Cayuga, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Chiracahua Apache, Coasati, Choctaw, Crow, Dakota, Euchee (Yuchi), Eyak (†), Haida, Hichiti, Hidatsa, Huron (Wyandot), Ioway, Kashaya, Kitsai (Kichai) (†), Lakhota, Mandan, Mohawk, Muskogee (Creek), Nottoway, Ofo (†), Omaha, Oneida, Onondaga, Osage, Pawnee, Pomo, Ponca, Seneca, Susquehannock (†), Tlingit, Tunica (†) (Tonica, Yuron), Tuscarora, Tutelo, Wichita (ergative, accusative and split-intransitive), Winnebago