LESSON XLI.

TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE VERBS.

Point out the verb in each of the following sentences, name its subject,* and tell which word limits the action expressed by the verb: :

1. The sexton rang the bell.
2. A boy delivered the message.
3. The frost killed the plant.

The noun or pronoun that limits the action expressed by a verb is the object of the verb; as, We crossed the bridge.

*

Tell which verbs in the following sentences take objects to complete their meaning, and which do not take objects:

1. The traveller sold his horse.

2. Bees gather honey.

3. The sun shines.

4. The ship sailed.

A verb that takes an object is called a transitive verb; as, Henry threw the ball.

A verb that does not take an object is called an intransitive verb; as, Birds fly.

The same word may be used as a transitive verb in one sentence, and as an intransitive verb in another; as,

The wind blows the dust. (Transitive.)

The wind blows. (Intransitive.)

*These terms as applied to nouns refer to what is called the grammatical or bare subject, and object, and not to the logical or complete subject, and object.

as,

Some intransitive verbs have a complete meaning in themselves;

The rain falls.

Other intransitive verbs must be followed by a noun or an adjective to complete their meaning; as,

1. He was a statesman.

2. The day is cloudy.

EXERCISE I.

Select the transitive verbs, and name the subject and the object of each:

1. He shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, cast up his eyes, but said nothing. -IRving.

2. Each takes his seat, and each receives his share.

3. We scatter seeds with careless hand.

4. Can the blind lead the blind? - BIBLE.

5. Do many good works, and speak few vanities.

CHAUCER.

6. We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone, But we left him alone in his glory.- WOLFE.

7. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork. — BIBLE.

HEMANS.

8. The warrior bowed his crested head. 9. The doe lifted her head a little with a quick motion, and turned her ear to the south. Had she heard something?

-C. D. WARNER.

IO. In the cold moist earth we laid her, when the forests

cast the leaf,

And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief. - BRYANT.

EXERCISE II.

Tell whether the verbs in the following sentences are transitive or intransitive, mention the objects of the transitive verbs, and tell what complete the meanings of the incomplete intransitive verbs: —

I. A tear stood in his bright blue eye. - Longfellow.
2. A rill of water trickles down the cliff. HAWTHORNE.
3. The Piper advanced, and the children followed. -

BROWNING.

4. My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky. - WORDSWORTH.

5. The daffodil is our doorside queen. - Bryant.

6. The next day Congress took the formal vote upon the resolution. - FISKE.

7. Behold the fowls of the air. — BIBLE.

8. The fish swam by the castle wall,

And they seemed joyous, each and all.—BYRON.

9. Open then I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days

10. The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew. - COLERIDGE.

Tell in how many ways each thought is expressed in the following

sentences:

1. The

governor signed the bill.

2. The bill was signed by the governor.

3. A hound chased the deer.

4. The deer was chased by a hound.

A transitive verb may represent the person or thing named by its subject as acting or as being acted upon.

A transitive verb that represents the person or thing named by its subject as acting is said to be in the active voice; as, Columbus discovered America.

A transitive verb that represents the person or thing named by its subject as being acted upon is said to be in the passive voice; as, America was discovered by Columbus.

The object of the verb in the active form becomes the subject of the verb in the passive form. The active voice makes the agent prominent, while the passive voice makes the object of the action prominent.

Some verbs usually intransitive become transitive by means of a preposition, and take the passive voice; as,

He disposed of the goods.

The goods were disposed of by him.

EXERCISE I.

Tell the voice of each transitive verb in the following sentences, giving in each case a reason for your statement:·

1. The frightened animal sought the open country. 2. Our guide had never visited the cave.

3. The building was destroyed by fire, but some of the furniture was saved.

4. The guest was admitted into the parlor.

5. The portrait attracted his notice at once.

6. The petition was signed by a number of prominent citizens.

7. He holds him with his glittering eye. - Coleridge.

8. Many interesting discoveries were made among these broken cliffs. - HAWTHORNE.

9. He shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, cast up his eyes, but said nothing.- IRVING.