TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE VERBS

An action expressed by a verb may pass over from a subject to an object. For example, in the

sentence: 'I hit the ball', the action of 'hitting' is not confined to the doer only, but goes over

from I to the ball. When the action expressed by the verb goes from a subject to an object, that

verb is called aTRANSITIVE verb.

In the sentences: The sun rose. The child cried. A leaf fell, the actions do not go beyond the

persons or objects performing them. These verbs, as used in these sentences, have no objects.

They are INTRANSITIVE verbs. The only object that an intransitive verb can have is a

COGNATE OBJECT, i.e. an object already implied more or less in the verb itself, e.g.

He lived a happy life. He died a sad death. The girl laughed a merry laugh. She slept a

peaceful sleep and dreamed a happy dream. He sighed a sigh. Quite often the same verb may

be used transitively or intransitively, e.g.

Intransitive Transitive

The bell rings. The waiter rings the bell.

The window broke with the frost. The burglar broke the window.

The door opened. Tom opened the door.

Things have changed since I saw you. I will go and change my clothes.

Time passes slowly when you are alone. Will you pass the salt, please?

My watch has stopped. The driver stopped the car and got out.

The class begins at 9 0'clock. He began his speech with a humorous story

The fire lit quickly I have lit the fire.

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CAUSATIVE USE OF VERBS

With some verbs the transitive use is the CAUSATIVE function of the verb.

The boy ran well She ran the car into the garage ( = she caused it to
. Coffee grows in Brazil. run).

Water boils at 100 0C. They grow coffee ( =cause it to grow) in Brazil.

The piece of wood floated on the She boiled the water for tea.
water.
He floated his boat on the water lake.

Sometimes a different form of the verb is used to mark the difference between the transitive
and the intransitive form, e.g.

Intransitive

The tree fell (verb to fall).
The book lay on the table
(verb to lie)
The sun rises in the east(verb to
rise).
They all sat down (verb to sit).
The woodmen felled the tree (verb to fell).
The Mayor will lay the foundation stone (verb to lay).
The firm have raised his salary (verb to raise).
The innkeeper set food and drink before the travellers
(verb to set).