Difference between revisions of "Transitivity"
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[[Verb]]s can be classified as '''transitive''' and '''intransitive''', according to whether or not they require a [[direct object]]: something that the action of the verb is ''done to''. | [[Verb]]s can be classified as '''transitive''' and '''intransitive''', according to whether or not they require a [[direct object]]: something that the action of the verb is ''done to''. | ||
| − | Intransitive verbs do not have objects. These include '''to go''', '''to come''' and most verbs of motion. for example: "I'm going", "She was talking", "The dog barked". | + | Intransitive verbs do not have objects. These include '''to go''', '''to come''' and most verbs of motion. for example: "I'm going", "She was talking", "The dog barked", "They died". (Notice the difference between the intransitive 'to die' and the transitive 'to kill'.) |
Transitive verbs require an object: "She loves her baby", "he loves her", "dogs chase cats" and "rain benefits crops". | Transitive verbs require an object: "She loves her baby", "he loves her", "dogs chase cats" and "rain benefits crops". | ||
| − | Many verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively: "He was whistling" and "He was whistling a tune" are both possible; | + | Many verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively, with greater or lesser changes in meaning: "He was whistling" and "He was whistling a tune" are both possible; "She drives" (intransitive) and "She drives a Ford" (transitive; 'a Ford' is the Direct object, or COd) are closer in meaning than "John cooked the potatoes" (transitive; COd 'potatoes') and "The potatoes cooked slowly" (intransitive). |
| − | + | Ditransitive verbs can have an [[Indirect Object]] in addition to the Direct Object: "The King gave the hero some land". The Indirect Object is the thing or person onto or for whom the action of the verb is performed - indirectly. | |
For more on this, see [[Complement]]. | For more on this, see [[Complement]]. | ||
Revision as of 14:43, 21 April 2007
Verbs can be classified as transitive and intransitive, according to whether or not they require a direct object: something that the action of the verb is done to.
Intransitive verbs do not have objects. These include to go, to come and most verbs of motion. for example: "I'm going", "She was talking", "The dog barked", "They died". (Notice the difference between the intransitive 'to die' and the transitive 'to kill'.)
Transitive verbs require an object: "She loves her baby", "he loves her", "dogs chase cats" and "rain benefits crops".
Many verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively, with greater or lesser changes in meaning: "He was whistling" and "He was whistling a tune" are both possible; "She drives" (intransitive) and "She drives a Ford" (transitive; 'a Ford' is the Direct object, or COd) are closer in meaning than "John cooked the potatoes" (transitive; COd 'potatoes') and "The potatoes cooked slowly" (intransitive).
Ditransitive verbs can have an Indirect Object in addition to the Direct Object: "The King gave the hero some land". The Indirect Object is the thing or person onto or for whom the action of the verb is performed - indirectly.
For more on this, see Complement.
