ctivnan
05/22/08, 11:30 AM
TRANSITIVE and INTRANSITIVE VERBS
A verb is called TRANSITIVE if its action is directed toward some receiver, which may be the object of the verb or even its subject. (David flew the plane , or The plane was flown by David . Whether plane is the subject or the object of the verb, the fact remains that David flew the plane, making plane in both sentences the receiver of the verb's action)
A verb is called INTRANSITIVE if its action is not directed toward some receiver. (Lightning strikes . Mother is ill.) Most verbs may be either transitive or intransitive, simply depending on whether or not a receiver of the verb's action is present in the sentence.
Lightning strikes tall trees (strikes is transitive because trees is its object).
Lightning strikes suddenly (strikes is intransitive because no receiver of its action is present). The action is complete without an object.
Note: The term action should not be misinterpreted as always involving physical activity. The so-called "action" of a verb may not refer to a physical action at all:
Mr. Lee considered the plan.
Amanda believed Frank's story.
Louise wants a new car.
The verbs considered , believed , and wants are transitive verbs; and their objects plan , story , and car are receivers of their "action," even though there is no physical action involved.
:yayks: :yayks: :happy0007::yayks: :yayks:
Source: E. Butler, M. Hickman, P. McAlexander, & L. Overby. 1995. Correct Writing, 6th ed.
A verb is called TRANSITIVE if its action is directed toward some receiver, which may be the object of the verb or even its subject. (David flew the plane , or The plane was flown by David . Whether plane is the subject or the object of the verb, the fact remains that David flew the plane, making plane in both sentences the receiver of the verb's action)
A verb is called INTRANSITIVE if its action is not directed toward some receiver. (Lightning strikes . Mother is ill.) Most verbs may be either transitive or intransitive, simply depending on whether or not a receiver of the verb's action is present in the sentence.
Lightning strikes tall trees (strikes is transitive because trees is its object).
Lightning strikes suddenly (strikes is intransitive because no receiver of its action is present). The action is complete without an object.
Note: The term action should not be misinterpreted as always involving physical activity. The so-called "action" of a verb may not refer to a physical action at all:
Mr. Lee considered the plan.
Amanda believed Frank's story.
Louise wants a new car.
The verbs considered , believed , and wants are transitive verbs; and their objects plan , story , and car are receivers of their "action," even though there is no physical action involved.
:yayks: :yayks: :happy0007::yayks: :yayks:
Source: E. Butler, M. Hickman, P. McAlexander, & L. Overby. 1995. Correct Writing, 6th ed.