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Transitivity (grammar)

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(Redirected from Transitive verb)

Transitivity in grammar is about whether a verb has an object or not. A transitive verb has an object; an intransitive verb does not.[1]p1051 Examples:

  • Transitive:
    We really enjoyed the trip.
    She read the book.
    What did you throw?
  • Intransitive:
    She relaxed.
    She travels.
    She slept.

A transitive verb is an action verb. It expresses something doable (something possible to do).[2] The direct object is something or someone who is the receiver of the action (verb).[2] In the first two examples above, the 'trip' and the 'book' are the direct objects. 'Enjoyed' and 'read' are the transitive verbs.

References

[change | change source]
  1. McArthur, Tom (ed) 1992. The Oxford companion to the English language. Oxford University Press.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Robin L. Simmons. "The Transitive Verb". Grammar Bytes!. Retrieved 13 September 2015.