"I won't not use no double negatives." —Bart Simpson

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Saturday, October 9, 2010

Verbs: Intransitive vs. Transitive


Todd writes:
Aaaaaargh! I don't understand transitive and intransitive verbs. I especially don't understand how sometimes the same verb can be one and sometimes the other. Please explain. I need to get at least an 86 on the quiz next week. Thanks!
Todd, you're in major luck. Yesterday I received a question from Lily about direct and indirect objects, and you should read that post first. After all, before you can ace transitive and intransitive verbs, you need to know how to spot a direct object.  

Quick rules:  
  • Transitive verbs are action verbs that require a direct object. The verb's action is transferred directly to the object, which can be a noun, pronoun, phrase, or clause.
  • Find the direct object by asking Subject + Verb + What/Whom? My dad is driving Fred to his friend's house. My dad is driving whom? Fred. That's the direct object. Therefore, drive is a transitive verb.
  • Intransitive verbs don't require a direct object. My dad goes to work every morning. My dad goes what or whom? That doesn't make sense, so there is no direct object. Therefore, go is an intransitive verb. [In this sentence, the natural question is: My dad goes where? Where questions are answered by prepositional phrases, such as 'to work.']

The tricky part: Many verbs can be either transitive or intransitive, depending on context.
  1. After we eat at my house, we can go outside. (intransitive)
    After we eat our sandwiches, we can go outside. (transitive)
  2. The truck runs on diesel gasoline. (intransitive)
    My uncle runs a restaurant. (transitive)
  3. I'm reading. (intransitive)
    I'm reading an article in TIME magazine about sharks. (transitive)

Quick tip: Sentences written in the passive voice always contain a transitive verb. It makes sense when you think about it. When the writer uses the passive voice, the subject is hidden and the focus is on the direct object. Break it down using the same Subject + Verb + What/Whom? formula, and fill in the missing subject.
  1. Rachel was given detention. [The teacher] gave what? Detention (direct object). To whom? Rachel (indirect object). Since there is a direct object, give is a transitive verb.
  2. The ball was hit past third base. [The batter] hit what? The ball (direct object). To/For whom? We don't know (no indirect object). Since there is a direct object, hit is a transitive verb.
Posted by Snarky at 9:01 AM
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5 comments:

  1. This quick explanation helped me understand the nature of passive constructions. The nugget about passive voice requiring a transitive verb was unique--at least, this is the first time I've read about it.

    Thanks, Tom

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  2. Thanks for posting, I'm currently working my way through some material and find myself a bit confused on this matter.

    Am I to understand that a verb is only ever really transitive or intransitive within the context of a sentence? The material I'm reading describes verbs as either being permanently one or the other and lists examples of both.

    According to my material a transitive verb is a verb that must be able to be followed by an object but doesn't have to be. It goes on to show examples of transitive verbs being used in an intransitive context. For example, 'She cooks'. 'Cook' could have an object following it if needed but it certainly doesn't have to have one. Does this make 'cook' an intransitive verb in this instance or a transitive verb being used in an intransitive context? Or as you mention is 'cook' another example that can be in both camps in which case I feel that uniquely transitive verbs would be in the minority.

    In your quick rules you mention that transitive verbs 'require' a direct object and you use the example of 'drive', yet in the material that I'm reading in order to teach this to students it defines 'drive' exclusively as an intransitive verb thus leading to more confusion on my part.

    Intransitive: He drives ('Does he drive?','He Drives.')

    Transitive: He drives a car.

    Most verbs are therefore neither permanently transitive or intransitive, it just depends on the context in which they are used right?
    So does a transitive verb have to be followed by a direct object or the fact that it can have a direct object make it transitive.

    Is there such a thing as a transitive verb in an intransitive sentence? It looks more and more like context is everything.

    Thanks, Paul

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  3. i had difficulties to understand the two terms that is intransitive and transitive verbs but know i can boast and explain to others with clarity.Thanks for this good explanation.


    PETER MCFOO @MANDA ZAMBIA

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  4. I have a short explanation:
    A Transitive Verb has a receiver and a Transitive verb answers the questions "what and whom"
    Example:
    He ate a large pizza
    (He ate what? pizza)
    An Intransitive verb has no receiver and an intransitive verb answers the questions: "How,when nd where"
    Example:
    He sings everyday
    (He sings when? everyday)

    Here is another example:
    He sang in the hall.
    (he sang where? at the hall)
    He sang a song.
    (he sang what? a song)

    ReplyDelete

  5. thanks for the help i think i got -6

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