grammar-transitive and intransitive verbs by eguriase s. m. okaka

Grammar: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

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By Egriase S. M. Okaka You have been told that verbs do not just describe actions, but also describe a state of being of a subject. Verbs are so important that, without them, we cannot have complete or meaningful sentences. Let us revise how verbs work. a) Verb as action I held the keys. (Subject) (verb) (subject) b) Verb expressing a state of being. Victor is a wonderful friend. (Subject) (verb) (subject complement) c) Verb expressing a body sensation The rash itches. (Subject) (verb) d) Ann and Tom are decorating their home. (Subject compound) (verb) (object) e) Verb expressing perception Josephine knew the dog’s whereabout. (Subject) (verb) (object) Transitive Verb Recall that the subject is the doer or performer of the action while the object is the receiver of the action. A transitive verb in the English language is the verb whose action is targeted or affects a person or an object, as in the case of the following sentences. Action transferred to a receiver • Kemi slapped Wale (Subject) (transitive verb) (object) • The chief chopped some onions. (subject) (transitive verb) (object) Note that the sentences in the examples would have been meaningless without the object. • Kemi slapped --------------- who? • The chief chopped --------- what? Exercise 1 Use the verbs in the list to create sentences showing how each of the verbs affects its object. Then explain to your teacher why you have not chosen some of the verbs in the list. Saw cry talked edit discover hit think died a) ------------------------------------------------------------- b) ------------------------------------------------------------- c) -------------------------------------------------------------- d) -------------------------------------------------------------- e) -------------------------------------------------------------- Note also that some transitive verbs can be followed by the prepositional phrase. Examples • We mixed the gravy with some spices. (verb) (object) (preposition) (noun phrase) • They traced the riot to its source. (verb) (object) (preposition) (noun phrase) • We found the purse on Allen Avenue. (verb) (object) (prepositional) (noun phrase) • Bode took the film from the shelf. (verb) (object) (preposition) (noun phrase) Exercise 2 Complete each of the following, adding the appropriate transitive verb from the list below. A, using the proper preposition from list B to form a prepositional phrase. You will need to add words of your own to complete the prepositional phrase. List A Break scratch clean fill accused List B On with by in all • Akin -------------------------- the vase ------------------------------- (transitive verb) (prepositional phrase) • The maid -------------------- my room ----------------------------- (intransitive verb) (prepositional phrase) • 1 ------------------------------- the bucket --------------------------- (intransitive verb) (prepositional phrase) • The victim ---------------------- the man ----------------------------- (intransitive verb) (prepositional phrase) • My cousin’ cat -------------------------- its legs ------------------------ (intransitive verb) (prepositional phrase) We can use only transitive verbs in passive sentences. Passive sentences are those sentences in which the focus is more on the action and the object (the receiver) than it is on the doer of the action (the subject). Examples Passive The plate was broken by Mary. (receiver in (intransitive verb) Subject position) Active Mary broke the plate. (transitive verb) (receiver) Some transitive verbs may not have an object if the meaning of the sentence is understood without stating the object. Some of them are eat, cook, answer, and win. Examples • I ate (the food). • She won (the game). Use each of the following verbs, with your partner, to form passive sentences. Identify the verbs that cannot be used in passive sentences. • Change • Laugh • Sweep • Build • Hate • Sleep • Send Intransitive verbs In the exercise you have just completed, you would have noticed that some verbs cannot be used in the passive because no object has been affected by these verbs. Some verbs are called intransitive verbs. The following are examples of other verbs that do not need an object. Examples • It rained. (verb) • My sister’s dog barked. (verb) • I care. (verb) • Tamaya dances well. (verb) • The rock fell. (verb) Intransitive verbs can be followed by an adverb as in Tamaya dances well or an adverbial phrase of time, place, manner or degree. • It rained heavily. (intransitive verb) (Adverb of manner) • The baby sleeps regularly. (intransitive verb) (Adverb of frequency) • The bell rings at noon. (intransitive verb) (Adverb phrase of time) • The tree fell there. (intransitive verb) (Adverb of place) Exercise 1 Indicate whether the verb is transitive or intransitive in each of the following sentences. An example has been done for you. Example: It snowed heavily.in Switzerland. (intransitive verb) • The audience laughed loudly. • She loves rice. • My father dreamt yesterday. • My mother bought a green bag. • We carried the boxes last week. • Kemi will lay the carpet on the floor. • The chief waited for six hours. • The Johan’s lived there. • I kept the money. • The wild animal hid in a cave. It is important to revise the verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive. • I dropped the bag. It is a transitive verb because there is a receiver of the action that is, an object. • Timothy moved the chair. (intransitive) (object) • The bag dropped. (verb, no object) • The Johnson family has moved. (verb, no object) It is wrong to use some transitive verbs without their objects. Examples • They enjoyed (what?) • My neighbors were discussing (what?) Exercise 2 Whenever it is possible change the sentence into a passive one. One has been done for you. 1. They lost the game. Answer: The game was lost. 2. They woke the baby. (transitive) -------------------------- (intransitive) 3. Dawodu finished the race. (transitive) ----------------------------------- (intransitive) 4. The gate closed. (transitive) ----------------------------- (intransitive) 5. The boy changed. (transitive) ---------------------------------- (intransitive) 6. The meeting began. (intransitive) -------------------------------------- (transitive) 7. Ekata completed the work. (transitive) ------------------------------------------ (intransitive) 8. John cooked rice for supper. (transitive) ----------------------------------- (intransitive) 9. The traders increased the price. (transitive) ----------------------------------------- (intransitive) 10. The guest has not eaten. (intransitive) --------------------------------------------- (transitive) By Eguriase S. M. Okaka