Back with more on transitive and intransitive verbs.
Remember from last week: if a verb is transitive, it means that the verb carries action from the subject across to an object.
(Subject + Action + Object)
And a verb is either transitive or intransitive depending on how it's used in the sentence.
A pattern for a sentence with an intransitive verb is:
Action + Action (Subject + Verb)
For example:
Susan applied makeup. (Transitive)
The milkshake melted. (Intransitive)
In the first sentence, the subject is Susan, who is doing what? She's putting on makeup. So the pattern is: Subject + Verb + Direct Object, which makes the verb transitive.
But in the second sentence, the pattern is Subject + Verb (milkshake + melted), which makes it intransitive.
Tip: Whether a verb is regular or irregular has no effect on its being transitive or intransitive.
Here's a little exercise, to see if this all makes sense. Think of a short sample sentence for each of the following verbs, and decide whether the verb is transitive or intransitive. See the answers in the post below. Tip: Some verbs are both.
1. built
2. grow
3. rise
4. buy
5. say
6. make
7. sleep
8. is
9. whistle
10. know
We'll talk more next week on subjective complements.
Remember from last week: if a verb is transitive, it means that the verb carries action from the subject across to an object.
(Subject + Action + Object)
And a verb is either transitive or intransitive depending on how it's used in the sentence.
A pattern for a sentence with an intransitive verb is:
Action + Action (Subject + Verb)
For example:
Susan applied makeup. (Transitive)
The milkshake melted. (Intransitive)
In the first sentence, the subject is Susan, who is doing what? She's putting on makeup. So the pattern is: Subject + Verb + Direct Object, which makes the verb transitive.
But in the second sentence, the pattern is Subject + Verb (milkshake + melted), which makes it intransitive.
Tip: Whether a verb is regular or irregular has no effect on its being transitive or intransitive.
Here's a little exercise, to see if this all makes sense. Think of a short sample sentence for each of the following verbs, and decide whether the verb is transitive or intransitive. See the answers in the post below. Tip: Some verbs are both.
1. built
2. grow
3. rise
4. buy
5. say
6. make
7. sleep
8. is
9. whistle
10. know
We'll talk more next week on subjective complements.