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Intransitive Verb
Phonetics:
ɪnˈtrænzətɪv
vɜːb
Pronunciation:
Independent and Free: Exploring the World of Intransitive Verbs
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
Definition of Intransitive Verbs
An intransitive verb is a verb that applies to finding the subject or aim of the event without a direct object, which is a pronoun, noun, or noun phrase. An intransitive verb is one whose meaning can be expressed without the aid of an object.
Intransitive verbs examples:
- All of us laughed.
- The equine sprinted.
It doesn’t answer what or whoever if something follows an intransitive verb in the position typically occupied by the direct object; rather, it responds to questions like where? when? how? Or how long?
- Eg: He is laughing aloud.
Examples of Intransitive Verbs
Let’s examine a few statements that use intransitive verbs. Once more, an intransitive verb cannot be employed in the passive voice or with a direct object. From the following intransitive verbs examples, you will get to know that none of them is explained in passive voice or with a direct object.
Intransitive Verb Examples:
- The canines howled.
- She resides in a peaceful area.
- We go to Canada every winter to visit my uncle.
- Your concept sounds bad.
- I cried when I realized I’d lost my ring.
Differences between Intransitive and Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs are the ones that the act of the verb transits from the subject to the direct object. Intransitive verbs have meaning on their own and don’t require an object to be understood.
Depending on whether or not a verb needs an object to deliver a complete notion, it can be categorized as a transitive or intransitive verb. A verb can only be considered transitive if it operates on a target. An intransitive verb will be working out only without an object. But some verbs have dual meanings.
Sentences that adhere to the SVO, SVIODO, SVOC, SVOA, and ASVO patterns contain transitive verbs. Typically, intransitive verbs appear in phrases that follow the format ASVC, SV, SVC, ASVA, and so on.
Transitive verbs will work with passive voice. An intransitive verb cannot be changed to create the passive voice in a phrase.
Individuals sometimes equate the phrase “transitive” with motion, causing them to assume that the more complex definitions for action and lack of action, correspondingly, are transitive and intransitive verbs. But whether a verb is active or not has nothing to do with these concepts.
- Devi purchased a new bike – Transitive Verb
- Feroz chuckled hysterically – Intransitive Verb
- The kids passed the books back and forth – Transitive Verb
- I went to school there. – Intransitive Verb
- Could you bring some Apples for me? – Transitive Verb
- Josh returned home in the morning. – Intransitive Verb
- Elene discovered the kittens on a street corner – Transitive Verb
- The car abruptly halted in the middle of the road – Intransitive Verb
Because they only make sense when used with a direct object, some verbs are primarily transitive. Because they don’t take a direct object, other verbs are typically intransitive.
Both transitive and intransitive forms of many verbs are possible. The statement itself will determine a lot.
- Sam borrowed the pen. [The verb ‘borrow’ is mostly transitive.]
- The customers arrived by car. [The verb ‘arrive’ is mostly intransitive.]
- The elephant reaches the lake. [The verb ‘reaches’ is transitive in this sentence.]
Common Usage of Intransitive Verbs
An intransitive verb is unable to acquire a target. If an object occurs immediately following an intransitive verb, the phrase will be invalid. However, there might be additional details following the verb, such as a prepositional phrase or an adverb.
- Eg: Students showed up at the beach residence.
Intransitive verbs must obey subject-verb agreement and be conjugated for tense and mood, much like the majority of other verbs.
Intransitive verbs can be followed by modifiers such as adverbs, adverbial clauses, and prepositional phrases that describe where, when, or how something occurs, even though they are never followed by an object.
Examples:
- Renu jumped.
- Leo is snoring soundly.
- Manju exercises as often as she can.
- Lina will play in the garden.
- My store closed on Main Street.
Tips for Identifying Intransitive Verbs
A transitive and intransitive verb can easily be distinguished. Simply determine if there is a direct object (noun or pronoun that responds to “whom?” or “what?”) immediately following it. If there is, the sentence is transitive; if not, it is intransitive. Just take a look at the word that comes after the verb to determine if it is transitive or intransitive.
- Is it an adjective or a pronoun?
- It is a transitive verb.
- Is it an adverb?
- It is a transitive verb.
- Is it adverbial?
- It is an intransitive verb.
- It’s a preposition, right?
- It is an intransitive verb.
The word Sindhu comes after the transitive verb seen in the sentence “I can’t see Sindhu through the crowd,” for instance.
However, the preposition at comes after waving in the sentence “Sindhu waved at me,” making waved an intransitive verb.
Try rephrasing the statement in the passive voice (i.e., make the action target the sentence’s subject) if you’re not sure if a verb is transitive or intransitive. If you can recast the sentence in the passive person, it must be a transitive verb because only transitive verbs take direct objects.
- The fire officers extinguished the woodland fire.
- The woodland fire was extinguished by the fire officers.
Importance of Intransitive Verbs
It is easier for learners to use words appropriately and their grammar accuracy when they are aware of a verb’s transitive or intransitive status. It is initially required to comprehend what the object of a verb is to comprehend what transitive and intransitive verbs are.
In addition to the fact that intransitive verbs don’t have a passive voice, many verbs can be either transitive or intransitive depending on their context. When a verb has both transitive and intransitive forms, only the transitive forms of the verb may be employed in the passive voice.
Intransitive verbs are never used in the passive voice in English. Instead of saying that the subject is acting, we say that it is having an action performed on it when we employ the passive voice. Here is an illustration of a passive voice sentence:
- Eg: The chocolate was made by me.
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Key Takeaways
- Transitive verbs and intransitive verbs vary in that the former needs a direct object to express a complete thought, whilst the latter need not.
- An answer to the query “Whom?” or “What?” is responded to by a direct event like a noun or pronoun.
- Depending on whether they take a direct object (i.e., a noun or pronoun) to denote the person or thing acted upon, verbs can be either transitive or intransitive.
- By examining what is receiving the action of the verb, you may distinguish between transitive and intransitive verbs.
Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
An intransitive verb is unable to acquire a target. If an object occurs immediately following an intransitive verb, the phrase will be invalid.
Step 1: Determine the subject and verb.
Step 2: Once the subject and verb have been located, ascertain whether a direct object comes next.
Step 3: The verb in the phrase is intransitive if there is no direct object.
If an object appears immediately following an intransitive verb, the expression will be inappropriate. An adjunct or a complement is placed after an intransitive verb.
Verbs, which are the building blocks of sentences and phrases, convey what the subject is thinking or feeling, even if they are only existing. Additionally, the only word type that is required to form a sentence is an intransitive verb.
An example of an intransitive verb is a linking verb. None of these verbs have a direct object. Instead, a noun or adjective that describes the subject is placed after them.
- Eg: She is a dancer.
Although they may also include adverbial modifiers, intransitive verbs can function as the entire predicate on their own. Intransitive verbs can be followed by modifiers such as adverbs, adverbial clauses, and prepositional phrases that describe where, when, or how something occurs, even though they are never followed by an object.
- Because they specify the timing of an action or an event, tenses are significant. The incorrect action tense will convey the incorrect message.
- An intransitive verb can stand on its own and does not require an object.
- A preposition is added after an intransitive verb if it wants to take an object. Intransitive verbs do not take any objects.
Yes, there are exceptions to the rule that intransitive verbs do not have a direct object.
