Transitive, Intransitive, and Linking Verbs

So, you wanna know what they are? Here goes…..

Transitive VerbsA transitive verb is an action verb. It

requires a direct object to complete its meaning. In other words, the action of the verb is transferred to the object directly.

ExplanationTo determine whether a verb is

transitive, ask whether the action is done to someone or something. Does someone or something receive the action of the verb. If it does, then the verb is transitive and the person or thing that receives the action is the direct object.

Examples In the following sentences, the transitive verb is bold and the direct

object is underlined.

The judge sentences the man to five years in prison. (The subject (the judge) applies an action (sentences) to a direct object (the man).

Try these:The attorney has revealed the bad

news. Who is the subject? What is the action being performed? To whom or what? (the direct object)

Let’s try the next sentence:The defendant could not provide an

alibi. Who is the subject What action is transmitted? What is the direct object?

To locate the direct object….Answer… The subject did something to

whom? Prosecutors charge people. The knife’s sharp edge cut the chef. Law enforcement had previously convicted

the man. (identify the action and the direct object.)

Prosecutors charged him under a habitual offender statute.

Locating the direct object…Answer… The subject did something to

what? The jury deliberated the case for 48

minutes. The technician made a joke. A local woman is seeking a seat on the city

council. ( identify action and direct object)

Intransitive Verbs

How is an intransitive verb different from a transitive verb? Aren’t they both action verbs????

Intransitive VerbsAn intransitive verb is an action verb,

but it does not have a direct object. The action ends rather than being transferred to some person or object or is modified by an adverb or adverb phrase. (Typically, an adverb or prepositional phrase modifies an intransitive verb or the verb ends the sentence.

How will I know if the verb is intransitive?

Ask whether or not the action is done is some way, in some direction, or to some degree. (Notice, this sounds like the function of an adverb!)

Examples:The man decided against a plea

bargain. (The man is the subject) What did he do? (decided) in what particular way? (against) Notice that (against a plea bargain) is a prepositional phrase.

He refused because of his immaturity, not his lack of morals.

More examples:Alice complained bitterly. (Notice that

this sentence ends with an adverb.)At the end of the Roaring ’20s, the

incarceration index rose slightly. (identify the intransitive verb and its modifier)

When faced with the problem, the scholar paused.

Remember:The adverb or prepositional phrase

answers a question about the verb:The subject did something WHERE?

If Charlie had run into the street, he would have been injured.

In 1973, the incarceration number inched upward.

Remember (continued)…The subject did something WHEN?

Thousands of cranes will return in the spring.

The number climbed in 1974 and in 1975. Try this one:

Walter Payton died near the end of the century. The company’s leader collapsed during the

meeting.

Continued….The subject did something HOW or TO

WHAT DEGREE? The statistics come in any form you like. Politicians and the public are complaining

loudly. Try these:

His blood pressure kept climbing steadily. She worked with care and precision.

Yet again…The subject did something WHY?

Our elected officials listen because we vote.

Dana’s grades improved with the help of a tutor.

Try these: Germany’s expedition leader collapsed from

the effort. Elise competed for her family.

Finally…. Linking Verbs.A linking verb implies a state of being or

condition for the subject, not action. It links the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective in a sentence. (The subject may be linked to a predicate nominative – a noun or pronoun, or a predicate adjective.) Linking verbs restate the subject or they may be equivalent to the subject.

Examples:The test indicates that Sara is a genius.

is = linking verb, genius = predicate nominative

Toni Morrison was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Try these:Roads were a slushy mess on Monday

along parts of the East Coast. It was a sad day.The robbery victim pointed and yelled,

“That is he.”Before the show, Ahmad seemed

nervous.

Keep in mind…. Sometimes the modifiers following a linking

verb may answer the question “what” as a direct object does for a transitive verb, they do not receive any action. In federal courts nowadays, every sentence is the

same. (We can ask: Every sentence is what? and the answer is THE SAME. But “the same” is not receiving the action of the verb as with a transitive verb. Same is restating or indicating the state of being of SENTENCE.

Another example:Female inmates are the fastest-growing

subpopulation in prison. (Inmates are what? Answer:

subpopulation. But the “subpopulation” is not being acted upon, it is reinstating or indicating the state of being of the WOMEN.)

Common Linking Verbs

APPEAR PROVE

BECOME REMAIN

FEEL SEEM

GET SMELL

GROW SOUND

SIT TASTE

LOOK TURN

Hold on just a minute…Many verbs can be linking, transitive, or

intransitive depending on their function.Examples:

Linking: The nation’s mood turned sour. (The subject is not engaged in an action.

Turned links mood with a state of being– sour.

Next…More examples….

Transitive: The judge turned the pages quickly.

(The subject was engaged in the action (turned) and that action was transferred to an object (pages)

And finally…. Intransitive

The lawyer turned suddenly toward the back of the courtroom.

The subject was engaged in an action (turned) and that action was done in a particular way (suddenly) but not to someone or something.

Viola!Now let’s practice.

TURN TO PAGE 19. Complete Exercise 11.