alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

ETYMOLOGY-VERBS. 61
strikes me;" sleeps is intransitive, because we cannot say, "James sleeps
me." Hence-
When a verb in the active voice has an object, it is transitive; when it
has not an object, it is intransitive.
3~ In the use of transitive verbs, three things nrc alwny~ implied-the
actor, the act, and the object acted upon: in the use of intransitive verbs
there are only two-the subject, and the being. state, or act ascribed to it.
321. Intransitive verbs are sometimes rendered transitive-
1. Wben followed by a noun of the same, or similar signification, as an
object; ns, intransitive, " I run;" transitive, " I run a race."
2. By the addition of another word; as, intransitive, " I laugh;" transitive,
" I laugh at."
322. The same verbs are sometimes u3ed in a transitive, Ilnd sometimes
in au intransitive sense. Thus, in tbe sentence, " Charity thinkellt no evil,"
the verb is transitive. In tbe sentence, " Thin!;; on me," it is intransitive.
323. So also verb~, really transitive, are used intransitively, when they
have no object, aud tbe sense inteuded, being merely to denote an exercise,
is complete witbout it. Thug. when we say, .. That boy reads and writes
well "-" reads" and ., writes" are really transi li ve verbs; because, a person
who reads and writes, must read and write something. y,·t, as the
ilense is complete without the object, nothing more being intended than
simply, " That boy is a good reader and writer," the verbs, as here used,
are intransitive.
324. PRELUIIN ARY ORAL EXERCISE.
When we SRy, "John runs," what part of speech is John I-Why'
What is the use of runs in the sentence 1 It tells wbat John does. Is
what a person or thing does, the act of that person or thiug 1 What part
of speech are words lhat express the act of a person or thing ~ Vel'bs.
Then what part of speech is rlm.,?-Why 1 Of what is it that verbs
express the act, being, or state' Of tbeir sn bject. Whose act does run.
express? Then what is John to the verb runs? When you say, .. John
runs," does it mean that he does anything to another 1 What sort of verbs
express an act not done to another 1 What kind of a verb, then, ie runa?
If you sny, "John cuts wood," which worel tells what John does 1 Then
what part of speech is cuts? Is it transitive or intransitive 1-Why 1
EXERCISES-
1. In the following sentences, tell which words are verbs. and whywbich
are transitive, and why-which are intransitive, Bnd why.
The boy studies grammar.-The girls play.-Grass grows in
the meadows.-The farmer ploughs his field, and sows his